Hi gang,
due to a request for some training to become Mission Qualified (MQ) we will run a workshop this Thursday to cover the elements required to successfully attain MQ certification. There is a prerequisite in that basic wings must be attained first but it does not bar the training to all who would like to attend.
Below are the subjects we will be addressing

9. MQT – Formation skills
9.1. Objective: The pilot will develop the knowledge and skills required to safely pilot the UH-1h in formation flight
within a controlled environment (announced turns not exceeding 20 degrees bank and Max VVI not to exceed
+/- 500 fpm)
9.2. Competences expected: The Pilot will demonstrate
9.2.1. take off, level flight and a normal landings whilst in trail and staggered right formations.
9.2.2. maintaining loose separation (6-10 RD) and correct stack
9.2.3. flying in positions 2 and 3 in right positioned formations
9.2.4. maintaining position when the flight changes from one formation to another
9.2.5. an awareness of the procedures and actions if the formation receives enemy fire
9.2.6. knowledge of 229th SOP regarding the use of lights, signals and communications in formation
flight
10. MQT – Communication Skills
10.1. Objective: The pilot will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to communicate effectively as a
member of a flight and solo if in the vicinity of other aircraft.
10.2. Competences expected: The Pilot will demonstrate
10.2.1. 229th radio application theory, installation & configuration.
10.2.2. UH-1h radio equipment knowledge and operation
10.2.3. knowledge of 229th brevity and standard radio procedures including pre-flight
10.2.4. in-flight frequency changes whilst in formation flight
10.2.5. simultaneously operating radios on 2 separate networks, command and flight

I will liase with Spectre and Naked to see if we can retry the campaign again. If not we will run an as yet TBA mission. I believe Painter has a new offering?

Hi B Coy Pilots (and any A or C who want to join, of course)

If you are wishing to train for MQ at this session, please make sure you refresh yourselves on the SOP, focusing on the section that starts with "Actions on contact" on p33 and on through to p40 inclusive:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/19413122/229th%20documents/229th%20AHB%20SOP.pdf

Please also sign up by copying the below roster, adding your name (note that slots will be moved around during the training), and pasting it into a new post:

BANDIT FLIGHT

BANDIT 1-1: Cib
BANDIT 1-2
BANDIT 1-3
BANDIT 1-4

PREACHER FLIGHT

PREACHER 4-1: evilivan
PREACHER 4-2
PREACHER 4-3
PREACHER 4-4

Note that these slots are for pilots wishing to do MQ training / check flights; once MQ training is over, we will load a bigger mission for all pilots (and there is of course more than one server   ).

Thanks
evilivan

BANDIT FLIGHT

BANDIT 1-1: Cib
BANDIT 1-2: Comanchero86
BANDIT 1-3
BANDIT 1-4

PREACHER FLIGHT

PREACHER 4-1: evilivan
PREACHER 4-2: DC
PREACHER 4-3
PREACHER 4-4

BANDIT FLIGHT

BANDIT 1-1: Cib
BANDIT 1-2: Comanchero86
BANDIT 1-3 Metzger
BANDIT 1-4

PREACHER FLIGHT

PREACHER 4-1: evilivan
PREACHER 4-2: DC
PREACHER 4-3
PREACHER 4-4

Nice flying last night guys, I have been playing over the track and I urge you to do the same. It can be instructive to watch your performance back and see what you need to work on.

The moving in and out of formation went well and the formations on the whole looked good enough to be called formations. I think that the guys I took up first need to work on aircraft control at slower speeds so for descents into LZ's or runways,just try and keep everything smooth and controlled.
Make your inputs smaller when trying to maintain formation as the slightest rise in the angle of the nose is reflected in a decrease in speed. You then begin the constant cycle of loosing height to regain speed and loosing speed when regaining lost altitude.

Radio work changing freqs and radios in flight went well and on the whole though a very good session for all concerned.

Thanks for the training opportunity Cib. I have a ways to go but I was getting more comfortable with the concept by the end of the session.

Yeah thank you Cib and evilivan great flying. I wish someday I can do it like you
Any advice on proper way to change radio freq with lack of proper controller ? Now I have to remove my hand from the stick to grab the mouse and this mess my flying.

(B/229) Metzger wrote:Any advice on proper way to change radio freq with lack of proper controller ? Now I have to remove my hand from the stick to grab the mouse and this mess my flying.

The simplest way is to use autopilot so you can safely go head-down in the cockpit, but that doesn't help you much if you are flying in formation and not leading...

Other solutions are using voice attack:

https://voiceattack.com/

Personally I bought one of these:

http://www.derekspearedesigns.com/dsd-flight---flt1flt2.html

...and then programmed it up to change the frequencies - it means I can do it with my left hand, and only glance down occasionally to check the numbers.