I1104 FLIGHT AIR-TO-GROUND 1.5 hours

Air-to-Ground Execution

Module 4: Air-to-Ground - Flight

OBJECTIVE

Execute T-38C air-to-ground attack patterns including BSA, SAT, and strafe runs using CCIP, demonstrating proper IP-to-target navigation, SEM egress, and shooter/cover coordination while maintaining SA and AGSM execution.

CONTENT

Maneuvers

  • • BSA patterns: Conventional, tactical, and level diving deliveries.
  • • SAT: Shooter/cover coordination, wedge and racetrack patterns.
  • • IP-to-target: CCIP overfly (no release), HUD symbology tracking.
  • • Strafe: Gun runs at slant range with proper dive angle.
  • • SEM: 4-4.3 G pull to egress altitude post-release.

Attack Sequence

BSA/SAT ATTACK SEQUENCE

  1. IP: Cross Initial Point, set attack heading
  2. Run-in: Low-level at 420-440 KCAS
  3. Pop: 3-4 G pullup at action point
  4. Roll-in: Acquire target, roll to attack
  5. Track: FPM on target, CCIP pipper moving
  6. Release: Pickle at solution cue (simulated)
  7. SEM: 4-4.3 G pull to egress altitude

Strafe Pattern

  • • Entry: Establish at pattern altitude, set up run-in.
  • • Dive: 10°-20° dive angle, 400 KCAS.
  • • Slant range: 3,000-4,000 ft tracking solution.
  • • Min altitude: 1,000 ft AGL - do not descend below.
  • • Recovery: Smooth 4 G pull to climbing egress.

STRAFE FOUL CRITERIA

Abort strafe pass if: below 1,000 ft AGL, excessive dive angle, no tracking solution, loss of SA, or "Abort" call.

Procedures

  • • PFD/MFD/HUD: Use for symbology - FPM, CCIP pipper, altitude, G.
  • • SA maintenance: Talk-on with JTAC, pie-in-sky scanning.
  • • Communications: "In hot," "Off dry/wet," 9-Line readbacks.
  • • AGSM: Execute during SEM and high-G portions.
  • • Shooter/Cover: Coordinate roles, mutual support throughout.

A/G RADIO CALLS

"In hot"

Attacking, weapons hot

"Off dry"

Egressing, no release

"Cleared hot"

JTAC weapons release auth

"Abort"

Cease attack immediately

SORTIE TASKS

IP required. Student as shooter; IP as cover/observer. VMC only. Fly on VATSIM IAW VATSIM regulations.

Pre-Sortie

  1. 1Brief with IP: attack type (BSA/SAT/strafe), target coordinates, IP-to-target geometry, abort criteria (altitude floor, no tracking solution), SEM procedure, and 9-Line format
  2. 2File flight plan on VATSIM; confirm working area and target with IP; depart as a 2-ship

Sortie

  1. 3Transit to working area at low level with IP as cover; confirm target visual and SA
  2. 4BSA/SAT: Cross IP at 420–440 KCAS; execute pop and roll-in; call "In hot"; track CCIP pipper to target; execute SEM (4–4.3 G pull to egress); call "Off dry"
  3. 5Strafe: Establish at pattern altitude; enter 10°–20° dive at 400 KCAS; track to 3,000–4,000 ft slant range; recover with 4 G pull no lower than 1,000 ft AGL; call "Abort" if any foul criteria met
  4. 6Execute minimum 3 attack passes (mix of BSA/SAT and strafe); announce "In hot" and "Off dry" on every pass
  5. 7Maintain AGSM on all high-G SEM and recovery segments; maintain mutual support with IP throughout
  6. 8RTB with IP; land full-stop

Post-Sortie

  1. 9Debrief with IP: review CCIP tracking quality, SEM execution, abort criteria adherence, and comm accuracy
  2. 10Log the sortie in the vTAC flight log system

Approved Callsigns

SINNER · BUCKO — IFF sortie
BLACK · CHOSEN · STAFF — if command is present

COMPLETION STANDARDS

Trainees will demonstrate proficiency in air-to-ground execution. Must:

  • • Maintain headings ±10° during attack runs
  • • Maintain altitudes ±100 feet
  • • Maintain airspeeds ±10 knots
  • • Execute proper attack communications
  • • Demonstrate valid SEM with AGSM
  • • Execute shooter/cover coordination

Completion: Instructor confirmation of air-to-ground proficiency per AETC standards

NOTES

  • • Emphasis on mutual support in SAT - maintain visual on wingman.
  • • Scenarios include CAS simulations with talk-on practice.
  • • Integrate with prior air-to-air training for multi-role awareness.
  • • Debrief using recorded data to analyze attack geometry.
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