B2101 FLIGHT 1.0 hours airborne + briefings

Basic Instrument Attitudes and Control

First IFR flight - foundational sole-reference flying skills

OBJECTIVE

Enable trainees to demonstrate primary instrument cross-check and basic attitude control in the T-38 Talon, performing standard rate turns, climbs, descents, and level-offs while integrating IFR communications, to build foundational skills for sole-reference flying under Instrument Flight Rules at KSPS.

CONTENT

Pre-Flight Briefing and Preparation

  • • Review of ground lessons on instruments and comms; discuss sortie objectives, weather minima (IMC preferred), and T-38 performance limits.
  • • IFR flight planning: Trainees prepare and file a simple local IFR plan via DD Form 1801, incorporating departure procedures from KSPS.
  • • Safety considerations: Hood usage for simulated IMC, emergency procedures, and crew coordination with IP.

Airborne Procedures and Maneuvers

  • • IFR clearance and departure: Obtain clearance, perform instrument takeoff (ITO) if conditions allow, and transition to departure control with proper comms.
  • • Basic instrument control: Hooded flight focusing on straight-and-level, constant airspeed changes, and recoveries from unusual attitudes (nose-high/low).
  • • Maneuvers integration: Standard rate turns, climbs/descents at specified rates (500-1,000 fpm), and level-offs while maintaining scan.
  • • Comms practice: Real-time interactions for headings/altitudes, with emphasis on readbacks and phraseology.

BASIC INSTRUMENT MANEUVERS

S&L

Straight & Level

TURNS

Standard Rate

C/D

Climbs/Descents

UA

Unusual Attitudes

Post-Flight Debrief

  • • Performance analysis: Review data recorder (if available), discuss scan efficiency, common errors, and instrument reliance.
  • • Self-assessment: Trainees identify strengths and areas for improvement in control and comms.

SORTIE TASKS

No controller required. No instructor required. Fly on VATSIM IAW VATSIM regulations. ATC online is strongly encouraged for IFR comm practice.

Pre-Sortie

  1. 1File an IFR flight plan on VATSIM and connect to the network
  2. 2If ATC is online, obtain IFR clearance using CRAFT format and read back in full; if not, depart on planned heading and altitude

Sortie

  1. 3Depart and climb to planned IFR altitude using instruments only (hood/view-limiting device)
  2. 4Maintain straight-and-level flight on instruments within ±100 ft altitude, ±10° heading, ±10 kts airspeed
  3. 5Execute standard-rate turns to at least four assigned or self-assigned headings
  4. 6Perform climbs and descents at 500–1,000 fpm to assigned altitudes; level off on instruments within tolerance
  5. 7Execute at least two unusual attitude recoveries — one nose-high, one nose-low
  6. 8Return to home field; contact tower or self-announce; fly approach and land full-stop

Post-Sortie

  1. 9Log the sortie in the vTAC flight log system

Approved Callsigns

KENT — local IFR at KSPS
EURO · ENJEP · RAMA — out-and-back, destination not listed below
JAVET — if destination is KTIK (Tinker)
ARCAS — if destination is KDYS (Dyess)
BURNY — if destination is KLBB (Lubbock)
FIDO — if destination is KAFW / NAS Fort Worth

COMPLETION STANDARDS

Trainees will demonstrate proficiency in basic instrument attitudes and control through successful sortie execution. Trainees must:

  • • Maintain tolerances for all maneuvers (±100 ft altitude, ±10° heading, ±10 knots airspeed)
  • • Demonstrate accurate IFR comms with no critical errors
  • • Execute effective unusual attitude recoveries per AETCMAN 11-251 standards

FLIGHT TOLERANCES

±100 ft

Altitude

±10°

Heading

±10 kts

Airspeed

Completion: Instructor confirmation of readiness for subsequent flights

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