8.12
Enroute.
8.12. Enroute.
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8.12.1. Generally, the busiest portions of off-station sorties are from the clearance call to level off and from descent to engine shutdown. Predictably, this is also where the majority of safety incidents occur. There are fewer external demands during the enroute or cruise portion; however, there is still a requirement to accomplish many tasks including required checklists, analysis of fuel efficiency, and preparation for arrival. Sound task prioritization during the enroute portion of the flight is essential to good training and successful completion of the mission.
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8.12.2. Without the cues associated with the local training environment, it is easy to forget required in-flight checks. Stay busy and use memory aids, as necessary, to comply with all requirements.
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8.12.3. At level off, keep climb power until approaching the planned IAS, then set the planned fuel flow to hold the IAS. Adjust the PCL and trim as needed to maintain the mission planned IAS. Complete an Operations Check. Accomplish a groundspeed check to determine the effects of winds and use the actual fuel flow on the electronic instrument display (EID) to calculate fuels. GPS is the easiest, most convenient way to determine groundspeed. Groundspeed can also be read off the EHSI (if selected) when flying directly to or from a NAVAID. Use groundspeed and fuel flow to predict fuel at future points on the route. Compare planned, updated (with groundspeed and fuel flow), and actual fuel at these points. Significant deviations may require changes to the flight plan. Modifications to the planned routing, altitude, winds, temperature, or excessive delays can drastically change the actual fuels from the planned fuels.
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8.12.4. Maintain positional awareness at all times with NAVAIDs, GPS, VFR charts, and enroute charts. Periodically identify suitable emergency airfields. Use of the GPS nearest function can be a valuable tool.
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8.12.5. If an enroute descent is planned, determine the desired start-down point and attempt to get an ATC clearance that matches the desired descent profile. (See Planning Techniques, Chapter 7.)
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8.12.6. Prepare for arrival according to AFMAN 11-202V3. Pre-arrival tasks are the same as for instrument sorties.
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