9.17. Blind Exercise.

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9.17.1. Objective. Demonstrate the correct lost sight procedures in the event one or both aircraft lose sight of each other.

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9.17.2. Description. The exercise exposes pilots to a real lost sight situation in a scripted setup to practice the procedures, including verbal coordination, required to facilitate safe separation and a safe, expeditious rejoin. The ensuing possibility for a high aspect rejoin can effectively demonstrate lateral and vertical turning room requirements in relation to turn circle geometry, range, closure, AA, LOS, HCA, pursuit options, and out-of-plane maneuvering.

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9.17.3. Procedure.

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9.17.3.1. Altitude. As required, 100 feet.

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9.17.3.2. Airspeed. 180 +/-5 KIAS.

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9.17.3.3. Heading. As determined by number 1 +/-5 degrees.

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9.17.3.4. Power. Approximately 50 percent torque (as required to maintain 180 +/-5 KIAS).

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9.17.3.5. Exercise Setup. Setup the exercise from fingertip or route formation. Before the exercise begins, number 1 announces the exercise, “Texan, standby blind exercise, reference heading xxx” (reference heading does not need to be the current heading). Number 2 acknowledges “2.” When ready to begin, number 1 gives the execution command, “Texan, turn away,” and number 2 acknowledges “2.” Both aircraft then turn away from each other using 45 degrees of bank to a heading 90 degrees from the reference heading. Number 2 calls blind with altitude after losing sight. For example, “Texan 2, blind, nine thousand.” Because number 2 is assumed to be visual unless calling blind, number 2 conveys the situation with a minimum of “blind” and “altitude”. The immediate concern must be to establish altitude separation between the aircraft. When number 1 is also blind, number 1 calls blind and immediately establishes altitude separation of at least 1,000 feet for each aircraft. For example, “Texan 1, blind, nine thousand; Texan 2 maintain eight thousand.”

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9.17.3.6. Altitude Deconfliction. Once altitude deconfliction is established and acknowledged, the potential for collision within the formation has been effectively eliminated as long as both aircraft remain at the assigned altitude. Only after altitude assignments are established and acknowledged will number 1 begin coordination to rendezvous the flight. Number 2 must inform number 1 if unable to expeditiously attain and maintain the assigned altitude. It is assumed that number 2 is complying with the altitude assignment unless informing number 1 otherwise.

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9.17.3.7. Vertical Buffer. Once a vertical buffer is established, number 1 may begin to coordinate for a rejoin by turning the formation to the reference heading and/or a rendezvous point according to the preflight briefing (e.g., center radial or DME, orbits over a ground reference, etc.). The key to expeditious visual acquisition in a blind situation is effective communication from both aircraft within the formation (heading, radial, DME, ground references, etc.). Number 1 is responsible for coordinating the rejoin. Avoid unnecessary radio communication, while remaining cognizant that extended pauses on the radio may lead to lack of positional awareness and excess time trying to achieve visual acquisition.

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9.17.3.8. Regain Visual. Whoever regains visual first should talk the other pilot’s eyes onto the other aircraft by using relative clock position (bearing) from the blind aircraft, range, and elevation (in degrees). For example, “Texan 2, visual is at your left 10 o’clock, 2 miles, 20 high”. If number 2 is visual but number 1 is still blind, number 2 may provide recommended actions to facilitate visual between both aircraft (e.g., “Texan 1, recommend reference 090 heading, visual will be at your right 3 o’clock, 3,000 feet, slightly low”). The flight lead must ensure the preflight briefing includes a thorough discussion of visual cues and ways to accomplish a high aspect rejoin. Figure 9.1 shows a graphical depiction of the blind exercise.

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9.17.3.9. The exercise concludes with both aircraft visual, and number 1 directing a rejoin or another position before proceeding to the next exercise or profile event. A terminate communication drill is not necessary because visual calls effectively signal an end to the blind situation and a transition to visual formation. If at any point after calling visual, visual contact is lost and not quickly regained, apply the appropriate blind procedures again to ensure separation.

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9.17.3.10. Technique. Figure 9.2. shows a recommended technique to turn a high aspect rejoin scenario into a more normal rejoin situation.

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