F-22A Raptor
Initial Qualification Course — Basic Flight Skills
This course qualifies pilots to safely operate the F-22A Raptor within vACC. Three graded blocks cover aircraft systems knowledge and startup, basic flight skills from takeoff through pattern work, and instrument flight proficiency. All tasks are evaluated against published standards using the four-color grading scale.
G — GREEN
Excellent / Pass
Y — YELLOW
Marginal / Review
R — RED
Unsat / Repeat
B — BLACK
Critical / N/A
B-Course — Not VSOA. Completion authorizes F-22A operations under the 1st FW/vACC. Does not affect VATSIM qualification status.
Course Structure — 3 Graded Blocks
Aircraft Systems
Cold-dark startup per checklist. Aircraft systems knowledge: lights, fuel, switches, manual start, avionics.
Basic Flight Skills
23 graded tasks from general knowledge and mission planning through departure, cruise, formation, fuel management, pattern, and landing.
Instruments
Course/radial hold, L&R patterns, precision ILS approach, missed approach, and instrument crosscheck.
Aircraft Systems
Aircraft Start
Perform a complete cold-and-dark startup per checklist. Every step must be completed in the correct sequence — no memory shortcuts. The F-22's integrated avionics suite requires careful sequencing to initialize correctly.
Graded Items: Checklist sequence accuracy, system initialization (avionics, fuel, lights), manual start handle knowledge, taxi-ready configuration achieved without IP intervention.
Aircraft Knowledge
Demonstrate surface-level knowledge of all primary aircraft systems. The IP will quiz or point-check each area during pre-flight or the sortie. You must be able to locate and explain each system without prompting.
Lighting Systems
- • Internal lights (cockpit lighting)
- • External lights (nav, strobe, formation)
- • Beacon
Avionics
- • ICP layout and operation
- • Situation Display and MFDs
- • HUD mode layouts
Cockpit Panels
- • Switches panel layout
- • Interior panel systems
- • Critical controls location
Graded Items: Lighting system identification, ICP layout and operation, Situation Display and MFD familiarity, HUD mode identification, switches panel orientation, beacon operation.
Block I Complete. Pilot demonstrates ability to start the F-22A from cold-and-dark and holds surface-level knowledge of all primary aircraft systems. Proceed to Block II.
Basic Flight Skills
23 graded tasks evaluated against published standards. All tasks must receive a Green or Yellow grade. Any Red grade requires repeat of the affected task before course completion. Black grades on Safety or Flight Discipline require full course review.
Pre-Flight & Planning
General Knowledge
Overall GK — successfully handles all duties of wingman including callsigns, answering questions, and situational awareness requirements.
Standard: Handles all wingman duties without IP prompting.
Mission Planning
Advanced in step/pre-taxi/run-up procedures. Ensures adequate mission readiness before flight — all relevant data briefed, fuel plan reviewed, routing confirmed.
Standard: All pre-flight planning complete and briefed before stepping to aircraft.
Pre-Takeoff
All pre-takeoff checks completed per checklist. Aircraft configured correctly for departure — controls, systems, and communications verified before runway entry.
Standard: No missed checklist items; aircraft ready for departure on first attempt.
Takeoff & Departure
Takeoff
Smooth aircraft speed control throughout the takeoff roll. Proper rotation technique — no abrupt inputs. Gear retraction on schedule, correct departure configuration established promptly after liftoff.
Standard: Smooth, controlled takeoff with no IP intervention required.
Departure
Performs all departure procedures as published or instructed, complying with all airspace and ATC restrictions. Taxi accomplished using proper procedures and techniques. Efficient routing executed through congestion and/or controlled airspace.
Cruise & Navigation
Level Off
Leveled off smoothly and promptly established proper cruise airspeed. No over/undershoot of assigned altitude. Transition from climb to level flight is coordinated — not abrupt.
Standard: Altitude within ±200 ft at level-off; cruise airspeed established within 30 seconds.
Cruise / Navigation
Navigates with available means using appropriate procedures. Maintains assigned cruise/radial heading and altitude throughout the en route phase.
Formation
Maintains position and separation in accordance with published or briefed procedures. Executes smooth, timely corrections. Only brief deviations from position — no large excursions requiring IP intervention.
Standard: Position maintained per briefed procedures; corrections smooth and timely.
In-Flight Checks
Completes all required in-flight checks at correct intervals — fuel state, systems status, weather, position, and comms. No missed checks. Items noted and actioned where required.
Standard: All scheduled checks completed on time and documented/called as required.
Fuel Management
Properly manages fuel throughout the sortie and complies with all established fuel requirements. Advances to base with required reserves. Makes accurate and timely Joker and Bingo calls.
Comms / Nav (ATAC)
Demonstrates proper communication and navigation procedures throughout. Maintains radio discipline, uses correct callsigns and brevity, and complies with ATC and tactical comms requirements. vTAC Discord coordination managed simultaneously.
Standard: Clear, concise, timely comms; no missed calls; navigation accurate per published/briefed procedures.
Recovery & Pattern Work
Unusual Attitudes
Smooth, positive recovery to level flight using correct recovery procedures. Recognizes the unusual attitude promptly and initiates recovery without over-controlling. Does not exceed structural limits during recovery.
Standard: Correct recovery procedure applied without IP intervention; smooth return to level flight.
Descent
Descent initiated at correct point, rate, and configuration for the planned arrival. Top of descent calculated and executed accurately. Speed managed to arrive at pattern altitude and speed on profile.
Standard: Descent initiated on time; arrives at pattern altitude within ±200 ft at correct speed.
Recovery
Applies appropriate procedures and approach techniques using proper techniques. Makes effective use of airspace during recovery. Coordinates with ATC and flight lead as required. Configures aircraft correctly for approach and landing.
Standard: Recovery procedures correct; airspace utilized efficiently; aircraft configured per published guidance.
Touch-and-Go
Performs touch-and-go and landing procedures correctly. Demonstrates ability to rapidly reconfigure from landing to takeoff configuration during the rollout. Proper landing technique followed by clean go configuration established before end of runway.
Standard: Touchdown in zone, correct T&G reconfiguration, departure climb established safely.
GTK Patterns / Approach
Demonstrates GCA/TK pattern proficiency using correct procedures, techniques, and local directives. Aircraft control is smooth and precise throughout. Proper frequencies maintained. Speed at touchdown within published limits.
Airmanship Standards — Graded Throughout
Required Altitudes
Complies with all assigned and published altitude restrictions throughout the sortie. Altitude deviations are self-identified and corrected promptly.
Debriefing / Critique
Thorough, timely, and objective. Receptive to feedback and accurately identifies lessons learned. Self-critique matches IP assessment.
Situational Awareness (SA)
Effectively maintains appropriate SA throughout the mission — position, fuel, weather, traffic, and task priorities managed concurrently.
CRM
Effective management of all available resources — avionics, communications, wingmen, ATC, and checklist materials — throughout the entire sortie.
Safety — CRITICAL
As required at all times. Any unsafe act is an automatic Black grade — no exceptions. Safety failures require a full course review and requalification brief before any further flights.
Flight Discipline
Adherence to rules, procedures, and safety standards throughout. No unauthorized deviations from briefed parameters. Challenges or disagreements handled through proper channels — not unilateral action.
Block II Complete. All 21 graded tasks receive Green or Yellow. Any Red task requires repeat before advancing. Safety/Flight Discipline remain Green throughout. Proceed to Block III.
Instruments
Instrument flight proficiency evaluated against published standards. All five tasks must be demonstrated under simulated or actual IMC conditions. The instrument crosscheck must be maintained as a continuous evaluation throughout all instrument tasks.
Course / Radial Hold
Track and maintain an assigned VOR radial or course using available navigation instruments. Demonstrate accurate intercept geometry and steady tracking once established. Corrections are smooth and anticipatory — not reactive.
Graded Items: Radial intercept angle, course tracking accuracy (±5°), lead/lag correction technique, steady-state maintenance.
L & R Patterns
Demonstrate proficiency in both left and right instrument holding patterns and procedure turns. Correct pattern entry based on aircraft position. Maintains pattern dimensions and altitude throughout. Timing and wind corrections applied correctly.
Graded Items: Pattern entry type, inbound/outbound timing, altitude maintenance, wind correction, both left and right patterns completed.
Precision (ILS) Approach
Fly a complete ILS approach from the initial fix to decision height (DH). Demonstrate glide slope and localizer tracking within standards. Aircraft configured correctly at the final approach fix. Go-around executed promptly and correctly if DH is reached without required visual contact.
Graded Items: Intercept geometry, localizer tracking, glide slope tracking, configuration at FAF, speed at DH, go-around execution if required.
Missed Approach / Go-Around
Execute the published missed approach procedure promptly and correctly. Climbs initiated without hesitation at the missed approach point (MAP) or when directed. Aircraft reconfigured smoothly during the climb. Published missed approach routing followed precisely.
Graded Items: Initiation timing, climb attitude establishment, reconfiguration sequence, published missed approach routing compliance.
Instrument Crosscheck
Demonstrate an effective, continuous instrument crosscheck pattern throughout all instrument flight tasks. Scan pattern must cover attitude, altitude, airspeed, heading, and navigation instruments in a regular, efficient sequence. Fixation on a single instrument is a graded failure.
Primary Instruments
- • Attitude indicator (ADI)
- • Altimeter
- • Airspeed indicator
- • Heading indicator / HSI
Supporting Instruments
- • VSI / Rate of climb
- • Navigation/course deviation
- • Turn coordinator
- • Engine instruments (periodically)
Graded Items: Scan pattern regularity, no fixation events, all primary instruments included in scan, scan rate appropriate for phase of flight.
B-Course Complete — F-22A Raptor Qualified
Upon successful completion of all three blocks with no outstanding Red grades, the pilot is authorized to operate the F-22A under the 1st FW/vACC in vTAC MAJCOM operations. Qualification is logged in your vTAC record. Any unsatisfactory grades must be resolved before the qualification is issued.