CHAPTER 14 AIRCRAFT LOADING AND UNLOADING PROCEDURES After aircraft ordnance and ordnance accessories have been tested, they are approved for carriage and for release by a particular model aircraft. Information about ordnance and ordnance accessories can be found in the aircraft's Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) flight/tactical manual. This manual is the basic authority for the types of ordnance and ordnance load combinations on each model aircraft. Deviation (change) from the basic authority must be approved before it can be made. The authority that approves deviations is the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). The  types  of  aircraft  ammunition  and  armament equipment  were  covered  in  previous  chapters.  In  this chapter,  you  will  learn  about  loading  and  unloading ammunition  and  other  armament  equipment  onto  the aircraft. AIRBORNE WEAPONS/STORES LOADING MANUAL LEARNING   OBJECTIVE:   Identify require- ments in airborne weapons/stores loading manuals as they pertain to loading and unloading aircraft ashore and afloat. The  Airborne  Weapons/Stores  Loading  Manual, known  as  the  Loading  Manual,  standardizes  loading procedures   used   throughout   the   Navy   and   Marine Corps. It improves safety and reliability in the loading of conventional weapons and airborne stores. You must follow the loading procedures in the Loading Manual. If there is a conflict between the Loading Manual and another   publication,   follow   the   procedures   in   the Loading  Manual  until  NAVAIRSYSCOM  solves  the conflict. The    procedures    in    the    Loading    Manual    are followed during aircraft loading. However, the physical size of the manual makes it impractical for use on the flight   line.   Therefore,   the   actual   aircraft   loading procedures  for  a  weapon/store  are  condensed  into  an airborne    weapons/stores    checklist.    An    individual checklist is provided for each type of weapon/store to be  loaded.  This  includes  release  and  control  system checks,    retarded/nonretarded    bombs,    fire    bombs, pyrotechnics, and laser-guided bombs. Each member of the  loading  crew  does  not  need  a  copy  of  a  checklist during   loading   operations.   However,   crew   leaders MUST use a checklist for the particular weapon/store being  loaded.  Checklists  are  not  complete  guides. Only experienced crew leaders that have thorough knowledge   and   understanding   of   the   loading manual need to use them.  Each  checklist  contains  a required   reading   section   that   each   member   of   the loading  crew  must  understand  before  starting  loading operations.    To    keep    these    loading    manuals    and checklists    current,    you    should    use    the    Airborne Weapons/Stores  Publication  Index,  NAVAIR  01-700. This index provides activities with a guide that lists all existing changes or revisions for aircraft conventional weapons loading, release and control, airborne weapons  support  equipment  (AWSE),  chemical,  and weapon    assembly    or    disassembly    checklists    and manuals  on  hand.  This  publication  index  is  updated quarterly. ASHORE, LPH, LHA, LHD, AND CV NATOPS MANUALS LEARNING   OBJECTIVE:   Identify   the   re- quirements  in  airborne  weapons/stores  load- ing manuals and the NATOPS manuals. The NATOPS manuals are issued by the authority of the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) in conjunction with the Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization   (NATOPS)   program.   The   NATOPS manuals contain the best available operating instructions  for  most  circumstances.  The  NATOPS  is regulatory  in  nature;  however,  operational  necessity may require modification of the procedures contained in it. TERMS When  you  are  involved  in  weapons  loading  and flight  deck  or  flight  line  operations,  there  are  certain weapons terms that you must know. Some of the more common  terms  are  contained  in  Appendix  I  of  this training manual. 14-1