Overhead Breaks

[Kerfuffle]

Does the military perform overhead breaks at night?

[Dee-Jay]

Yes.

[Dee-Jay]

…

Remember that some restrictions applies to overhead break:

…:\Falcon BMS 4.33\Docs\Operational Manuals

F-16 OPERATIONS PROCEDURES - Air Force Instruction 11-2F-16 Vol3.pdf

3.21.Touch-and-Go Landings.

Fly touch-and-go landings IAW AFI 11 202V3.

Pilots will not fly them with live or hung external ordnance or with fuel remaining in any external tank.

3.22.
Overhead Traffic Patterns.
Unless the OG/CC determines that local conditions (e.g., threat condition, populated areas) dictate otherwise, pilots will not fly overhead patterns with unexpended heavy weight ordnance (larger than BDU)

[Guest]

Sorry for the slight OT, but how about formation landings?

[Dee-Jay]

@-Ice:

Sorry for the slight OT, but how about formation landings?

…:\Falcon BMS 4.33\Docs\Operational Manuals

F-16 OPERATIONS PROCEDURES - Air Force Instruction 11-2F-16 Vol3.pdf

[Blu3wolf]

That one is a little old, Dee-Jay. You can freely download the current ones from the USAF website, though: http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/

And here is the direct link:

http://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a3/publication/afi11-2f-16v3/afi11-2f-16v3.pdf

This is from the copy I refer to, which is the 8FW supplement - in this case, its essentially identical to the CAF one:

@AFI11-2F-16V3_8FWSUP:

3.26. Formation Approaches and Landings.

3.26.1. Aircraft must be symmetrically loaded. (T-1). Consider symmetrical as those stores loadings which do not require an abnormal trim or control application to counter a heavy wing or yaw during takeoff and acceleration to climb airspeed.

3.26.2. Elements will be led by a qualified flight lead unless an IP or flight lead qualified squadron supervisor is in the element. (T-1).

3.26.3. Use a rate of descent similar to a precision approach. Fly a published precision instrument approach if one is available. If not, fly a non-precision approach or VFR straight in and reference available lighting systems (e.g., VASI, PAPI) for descent angle. (T-1).

3.26.4. If the crosswind exceeds 5 knots, lead will position the wingman on the upwind side. (T-1).

3.26.5. The wingman will maintain a minimum of 10 feet lateral wingtip spacing. If the wingman overruns lead after landing, accept the overrun and maintain the appropriate side of the runway and wingtip clearance. Do not attempt to reposition behind lead. (T-1).

3.26.6. Do not make formation landings when: (T-1).

3.26.6.1. The crosswind or gust component exceeds 15 knots.

3.26.6.2. The runway is wet or reported wet.

3.26.6.3. There is ice, slush, or snow on the runway.

3.26.6.4. The runway width is less than 125 feet.

3.26.6.5. Arresting gear tape connectors extend onto the runway surface at the approach end of 125 feet wide runways (excluding overrun installations).

3.26.6.6. Landing with hung ordnance or unexpended live bombs.

3.26.6.7. The weather is less than 500 foot ceiling and 1.5 miles visibility (or a flight member’s weather category, whichever is higher). This applies to chased approaches and formation low approaches.

[Guest]

Thanks for that guys! Sim PC is under repairs at the moment so no access to the BMS documents, thanks Blu for the direct quote!

[Kerfuffle]

God stuff all. Thanks