M1001 GROUND ~1.5 hours

Complex Flight Planning & Mission Fuel Management

Module 1: Mission Training - Ground Instruction

OBJECTIVE

Develop proficiency in complex multi-phase mission planning including advanced fuel management with multiple joker states, destination airport analysis, TOLD computations, weight & balance calculations, and flight CRM coordination.

CONTENT

Advanced Fuel Planning & Multiple Joker States

Complex missions require phase-based fuel management. Each mission phase has its own JOKER fuel state—the minimum fuel required to complete the current phase, transition to the next, and still meet all remaining mission objectives with adequate reserve.

  • • Phase-Based Jokers: Each mission segment (transit, working area, RTB) requires individual fuel calculations.
  • • Joker Calculation: Fuel to complete current phase + fuel for remaining phases + reserve = Phase Joker.
  • • Dynamic Reassessment: Continuously recalculate jokers based on actual fuel burn vs. planned.
  • • AF IMT 70: Primary tool for documenting fuel planning and joker/bingo states.

MULTI-PHASE JOKER FUEL STATES

JOKER 1 (Transit)

Example: 4,200 lbs

Minimum fuel at working area entry to complete all mission phases + RTB + reserve

JOKER 2 (Working Area)

Example: 2,800 lbs

Minimum fuel to complete working area objectives + RTB + reserve. Triggers "knock-it-off" for fuel.

JOKER 3 (RTB)

Example: 1,800 lbs

Minimum fuel at recovery fix to complete approach, landing, and taxi with reserve

BINGO

Example: 1,200 lbs

Absolute minimum—RTB immediately via most direct route. No further mission activity.

JOKER FUEL CALCULATION FORMULA

Phase Joker = (Fuel for remaining phases) + (RTB fuel) + (Approach/Landing) + (Reserve)

Example: Joker 2 = 800 (RTB) + 400 (Approach) + 200 (Taxi) + 600 (Reserve) = 2,000 lbs + contingency

Destination Airport Study

Thorough airport analysis is critical for safe mission execution. Review all destination, alternate, and divert airfields.

  • • Runway Analysis: Length, width, surface type, condition (PCN/ACN compatibility).
  • • Weight Limits: Maximum allowable aircraft weight for runway/taxiway operations.
  • • Aircraft Category: Approach category (A-E) determines minimums and circling radii.
  • • NOTAMs: Closures, restrictions, hazards, lighting status.
  • • Services: Fuel availability, crash/fire/rescue (CFR) capability, maintenance support.

AIRPORT STUDY CHECKLIST

Physical Data

  • ☐ Field elevation
  • ☐ Runway lengths/widths
  • ☐ Runway surface/PCN
  • ☐ Obstacles/terrain
  • ☐ Pattern altitude

Operational Data

  • ☐ ATC frequencies
  • ☐ Approach types available
  • ☐ Lighting systems
  • ☐ Weather reporting
  • ☐ Emergency services

Limitations

  • ☐ Max aircraft weight
  • ☐ Noise abatement
  • ☐ PPR requirements
  • ☐ Operating hours
  • ☐ Fuel restrictions

Contingency

  • ☐ Alternate minimums
  • ☐ Divert options
  • ☐ Emergency airfields
  • ☐ Fuel availability
  • ☐ Arresting gear (if req)

AIRCRAFT APPROACH CATEGORIES

CAT A

<91 kts

CAT B

91-120

CAT C

121-140

CAT D

141-165

CAT E

>165 kts

Based on 1.3 × Vso (stall speed in landing configuration)

TOLD - Takeoff & Landing Data

TOLD calculations are MANDATORY for every flight. Errors in TOLD can result in departure end overruns, rejected takeoff mishaps, or landing accidents.

  • • Variables: Pressure altitude, temperature, weight, wind, runway slope, surface condition.
  • • Critical Speeds: V1, VR, V2, VREF—each serves a specific decision/safety function.
  • • Takeoff Distance: Ground roll + distance to clear 50ft obstacle.
  • • Landing Distance: Air distance + ground roll to full stop.
  • • Abort Criteria: Pre-calculated decision points for rejected takeoff.

TOLD CARD ELEMENTS

Takeoff Data

  • • Takeoff gross weight
  • • Refusal speed
  • • Rotation speed (VR)
  • • Takeoff safety speed (V2)
  • • Takeoff distance required
  • • Accelerate-stop distance
  • • Climb gradient capability

Landing Data

  • • Landing gross weight
  • • Approach speed (VREF)
  • • Threshold speed
  • • Landing distance required
  • • Go-around altitude
  • • Max landing weight
  • • Braking action factors

⚠️ TOLD CRITICAL FACTORS

Hot & High: ↑ Density altitude = ↓ Performance (longer distances, reduced climb)

Heavy: ↑ Weight = ↑ Speeds, ↑ Distances, ↓ Climb rate

Wet/Contaminated: Significantly increases stopping distance—use published factors

Weight & Balance Calculations

Proper weight and balance ensures aircraft remains within structural limits and CG envelope throughout all phases of flight.

  • • Basic Empty Weight (BEW): Aircraft with fixed equipment, unusable fuel, full oil.
  • • Operating Weight (OW): BEW + crew + crew baggage + mission equipment.
  • • Zero Fuel Weight (ZFW): Max weight before fuel is added—structural limit.
  • • Ramp Weight: Total weight before engine start (includes taxi fuel).
  • • Takeoff Gross Weight: Ramp weight minus taxi fuel burn.
  • • Landing Weight: Must be below max landing weight limit.

WEIGHT CALCULATION FLOW

1. Basic Empty Weight (BEW)

+ Crew & Equipment

= Operating Weight

+ Payload/Stores

= Zero Fuel Weight (check vs limit)

+ Total Fuel Load

= Ramp Weight (check vs limit)

- Taxi Fuel

= Takeoff Gross Weight (check vs limit)

CG ENVELOPE VERIFICATION

Verify CG is within limits at:

  • Takeoff (forward CG limit critical for rotation)
  • Landing (aft CG limit critical for pitch stability)
  • Zero fuel (structural limit for wing bending)

Flight CRM & Mission Coordination

Effective crew resource management ensures all flight members operate with shared situational awareness and clear task delegation.

  • • Briefing Standards: Mission objectives, threats, fuel states, contingencies, comm plan.
  • • Task Delegation: Clear assignment of navigation, communication, lookout duties.
  • • Decision Authority: Defined decision points and escalation criteria.
  • • Challenge & Response: Standard callouts for critical phases (gear, flaps, speeds).
  • • Contingency Coordination: Pre-briefed actions for lost comm, weather divert, emergency.

MISSION BRIEF FLOW

Time Hack

Synchronize all clocks

Mission Overview

Objectives & success criteria

Weather

Current, forecast, alternates

NOTAMs

Airspace, runway, hazards

Fuel Plan

All jokers, bingo, diverts

TOLD Review

Verify speeds & distances

Contingencies

Abort, divert, emergency

Questions

Resolve all uncertainties

FUEL STATE CALLS

"[Callsign], JOKER" — Reached working area joker, terminate current phase

"[Callsign], BINGO" — Minimum fuel, RTB immediately, priority handling

Planning Tools & References

  • • AF IMT 70: Pilot's Flight Plan and Flight Log
  • • DD Form 365-4: Weight and Balance Clearance Form
  • • TOLD Cards: Aircraft-specific performance data cards
  • • Flight Information Publications (FLIP): IFR Supplements, Approach Plates
  • • Weather Products: DD-175, TAFs, METARs, PIREPs

COMPLETION STANDARDS

Trainees will demonstrate proficiency through oral examination and practical planning exercise. Must be able to:

  • • Calculate multiple joker fuel states for a multi-phase mission
  • • Conduct thorough destination airport study including weight/category limits
  • • Compute TOLD data and explain all critical speeds and distances
  • • Complete weight and balance calculations with CG verification
  • • Brief a complete mission plan using proper CRM format
  • • Identify go/no-go criteria based on calculated performance data

Completion: Demonstrate understanding via oral quizzing and complete a sample mission planning package per vTAC vAETC standards

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