Case III Helicopter Approach
Case III procedures shall be used whenever weather conditions at the ship are below
Case II minima, or when no visible horizon exists, or when directed by the Commanding
Officer or OTC. Case III formation recoveries are not authorized except when an aircraft
experiencing difficulties is recovered on the wing of another aircraft. Formation flights by
dissimilar aircraft shall not be attempted except in extreme circumstances when no
safer recovery method is available. A straight-in, single-frequency approach shall be
provided in all cases. Precision RADAR shall be used whenever available.
Case I Fixed Wing Visual Descent and Approach
The same criteria and check-in procedures apply to fixed wing aircraft as outlined for
helicopters except for the following:
The pilots should plan their descent so that the aircraft arrives at the Initial Point
(IP), 3 miles astern, 800 feet, wings level, and parallel to the BRC.
The flight leader must report to PriFly when descending from the Delta pattern
and arriving at the IP.
Each flight must execute a normal break not more than 5 miles ahead of the ship.
Fixed Wing Night Aided Recovery Procedures under Case I Conditions
WARNING
Fixed wing night aided recovery procedures shall not be
used simultaneously with fixed wing night unaided recovery
procedures.
Night aided operations may be conducted similarly to day Case I operations when it is
anticipated that aircraft will not encounter IMC at any time during descent, break, and
final approach. Weather in the control zone must be at 3,000-foot ceiling and 5 miles
visibility. The following procedures shall be used for all night aided recoveries:
If departing marshal through overcast, the pilot shall comply with departing
marshal instructions until VMC is reached. AATCC shall switch aircraft to PriFly
at 5 miles. At that time, the pilot shall report ―Canceling IFR,‖ switch to PriFly, and
proceed directly to the initial position.
The initial position is 800 feet, 3 nm astern.
The pilot shall fly up the starboard side of the ship for a level 800 feet break.
The abeam is 1.0 to 1.3 DME at 800 feet.
The 180 position is 1.5 to 1.7 DME at 800 feet.
The 90 position altitude is 650 feet.
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