1.10. Mission Preparation. Mission success is directly related to mission preparation. Flying time is limited and solid preparation maximizes the effectiveness of limited airborne time. Mission preparation consists of the following four areas:

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1.10.1. General Study. Study in general areas builds a foundation of knowledge for pilot training, other formal training courses, and operational missions. Some topics such as the flight manual are aircraft specific and other topics such as local area procedures are location specific. Areas of study including instrument rules and procedures, weather, aerodynamics, flight information publications (FLIP), and navigation, are generic because they apply to any aircraft, at any location, flying any type of mission. General study is a continuous process that is an integral part of a successful career in military aviation.

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1.10.2. Mission Selection. Preparation can be focused only after a specific mission is identified. In formal training courses, a syllabus normally determines the mission’s profile. However, in many cases, syllabi provide a basic framework, and missions are tailored to individual training needs and requirements by reviewing the student grade book or training folder. In the formal pilot training environment, mission selection consists of objective setting and then profile selection. Objectives focus training to specific areas that must be accomplished to make the mission successful. The profile is the exact list of maneuvers performed on a particular sortie. Consider the following when setting objectives:

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1.10.2.1. The overall mission objective should give the big picture. What must occur for the sortie to be successful? These objectives are usually pulled from the syllabus in a formal training course.

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1.10.2.2. Training objectives are specific and help determine success in relation to the syllabus, course training standards, continuation training requirements, and should be focused on improving identified deficiencies. A valid objective is “SMART”: specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound.

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1.10.3. Mission-specific Study. Study in areas specifically related to the mission. This includes general study areas that are specifically related to the mission (e.g., study of AFMAN 11-202V3, before an instrument training sortie). Mission-specific areas include, but are not limited to, operational restrictions (for type of sortie), instrument approach plate (IAP) review, local area procedures (for that sortie), maneuver review, and daily study topics (e.g., emergency procedure [EP] of the day).

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1.10.3.1. Chair-flying. Specific study also includes chair-flying. This is an in-depth, mental rehearsal of the sortie. It is visualization of specific maneuvers and techniques, and mental review of checklists and specific tasks. Review individual maneuvers in appropriate sections of the flight manual before each sortie. Study should focus on the primary mission, but some time must be devoted to possible alternate missions.

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1.10.3.2. Technique. To properly chair-fly, visualize each aspect of the sortie. When initially learning to fly, this should include all aspects of the mission to include preflight planning, pre-flighting life support equipment, stepping, ground operations, etc. Step through each phase of flight in sequence and visualize each action, switch position, and radio call. As you progress through the sortie in this manner, you will identify points during the sortie which require additional study. As experience is gained, chair-flying may only include new events or maneuvers, task intensive phases of flight, or events which have not been recently practiced. Though time consuming, properly chair-flying each sortie will pay dividends as training progresses and throughout your flying career.

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1.10.4. Mission Analysis. The previous facets of mission preparation generally prepare the pilot for the mission, but there are tasks that must be accomplished to execute the specific mission on a specific day. Mission analysis includes all the tasks that turn the plan into reality. The following list includes many of the mission analysis steps:

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1.10.4.1. Check Notices to Airmen (NOTAM), weather, and operations (ops) notes.

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1.10.4.2. Sign off go/no-go (items that must be accomplished before flying).

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1.10.4.2.1. Review flight crew information file (FCIF).

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1.10.4.2.2. Review squadron or pilot read files.

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1.10.4.3. Attend mass brief (some formal programs brief the entire class before individual mission briefings occur).

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1.10.4.4. Check aircraft sign out data, local profile, call sign, etc.

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1.10.4.5. Schedule or reserve airspace (e.g., limited special use airspace, low level military training route [MTR], etc.).

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1.10.4.6. Check bird hazard models.

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1.10.4.7. Call destination if flying to an airfield other than the home airfield.

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1.10.4.8. Review local restrictions (e.g., ramp freeze, construction, etc.).

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1.10.4.9. Prepare briefing (e.g., briefing board, EP of the day, etc.).

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1.10.4.10. Compute takeoff and landing data (TOLD).

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1.10.4.11. Compute or check weight and balance.

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1.10.4.12. Plan fuel, select route, and file a flight plan.

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