B2103 FLIGHT 1.0 hours airborne + briefings

IFR Navigation and Radial Intercepts

VOR/TACAN navigation, tracking, and intercept procedures

OBJECTIVE

Enable trainees to navigate in the T-38 Talon using VOR/TACAN intercepts and tracking under IFR conditions, combining instruments with navigation aids while maintaining communications and situational awareness, to develop precision in enroute and terminal navigation at KSPS.

CONTENT

Pre-Flight Briefing and Preparation

  • • Review of ground lessons on navigation systems, instruments, and comms; discuss sortie objectives including nav aid selection based on weather and T-38 EGI capabilities.
  • • IFR flight planning: Trainees prepare and file a nav-focused route plan using DD Form 1801, incorporating airways, fixes, and potential intercepts near KSPS.
  • • Safety and scenarios: Hood/IMC emphasis, wind correction techniques, and contingency for nav aid failures.

Airborne Procedures and Maneuvers

  • • IFR clearance and departure: Obtain clearance, execute departure, and transition to enroute navigation with ATC comms.
  • • Navigation maneuvers: Radial intercepts (inbound/outbound), tracking with wind corrections, arc intercepts if applicable, and fix-to-fix using T-38 EGI or ground aids.
  • • Integration: Comms for direct-to clearances or vectors, basic enroute descent while maintaining instrument scan and tolerances.
  • • Approach setup: Intro to non-precision approach alignment via intercepts, followed by return to KSPS.

NAVIGATION MANEUVERS

INTERCEPT

Radial capture

TRACK

Course following

ARC

DME arc

FIX-TO-FIX

Direct nav

Post-Flight Debrief

  • • Performance analysis: Evaluate intercept accuracy, tracking stability, and comms integration using flight data.
  • • Trainee input: Reflection on navigation challenges and improvements for holding/approach flights.

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. 1Plan an IFR route using VOR/TACAN airways; identify at least two radial intercepts on the route
  2. 2File the IFR flight plan on VATSIM and connect; if ATC is online, obtain clearance and read back

Sortie

  1. 3Depart and navigate to the first VOR/TACAN on instruments
  2. 4Intercept an inbound radial within ±2°; track it to the station with continuous wind correction
  3. 5Cross the station and intercept an outbound radial to the next fix
  4. 6Execute a second radial intercept (inbound or outbound) at a different navaid
  5. 7Fly at least one fix-to-fix leg using GPS/EGI direct navigation
  6. 8Return to home field; 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 IFR navigation and radial intercepts through successful sortie execution. Trainees must:

  • • Execute precise intercepts (±2° radials)
  • • Maintain navigation accuracy within tolerances (±100 ft altitude, ±10° heading, ±10 knots airspeed)
  • • Demonstrate accurate comms with no critical errors per AETCMAN 11-251 standards

Completion: Instructor confirmation of skill progression

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