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VIRTUAL NAVAL AIR OPERATIONS (VNAO)
QUALIFICATION
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVE 1: Demonstrate the ability to start and configure the F/A-18C Hornet from a cold and dark configuration.
OBJECTIVE 2: Demonstrate the ability to enter a given set of GPS coordinates into the INS system and navigate to that location.
OBJECTIVE 3: Demonstrate the ability to properly conduct an air-to-air refueling evolution
OBJECTIVE 4: Demonstrate the ability to fly as a wingman in both Parade and Cruise Formations
OBJECTIVE 5: Demonstrate proper CASE I Recovery Procedures
OBJECTIVE 6: Demonstrate proper Carrier Recovery Procedures
VNAO SYLLABUS
1. PLATFORM FAMILIARIZATION
1.1. Basic Cockpit Orientation
1.2. Startup & Configuration
1.3. Communications Setup & Usage
1.4. Basic Avionics Orientation
2. BASIC AIRFIELD OPERATIONS
2.1. Field Start, Taxi and Takeoff Operations
2.2. Field Pattern and Recovery Operations
3. BASIC NAVIGATION
3.1. TACAN Navigation
3.2. INS Navigation (Non-Precise)
4. BASIC FORMATION
4.1. Basic Admin Formations
4.2. Intercepts, Rendezvous, and Rejoins
5. AIR-TO-AIR REFUELING OPERATIONS
4.1. Tanker Tracking & Intercepts
4.2. Tanker Rejoins & Holding
4.3. Contact and Refueling
4.4. Tanker Clearing Procedures
6. CASE I RECOVERY
4.1. Entering into the Marshal Stack
4.2. Stack Operations
4.3. Commencing & Pattern Entry
4.4. Pattern & Trapping Operations
4.5. Carrier Deck Operations
A. CHECKRIDE 1: VNAO CHECKRIDE
1.A. Objective 1: Manually start the F/A-18C from "Cold & Dark" configuration
1.B. Objective 2: Program provided coordinates into INS system and navigate to within + or - 2 nautical miles of that waypoint
1.C. Objective 3: Demonstrate proper air-to-air refueling operations
1.D. Objective 4: Sufficiently demonstrate flying in the Parade and Cruise formations
1.E. Objective 5: Demonstrate proper CASE I Recovery Operations
1.F. Objective 6: Complete 6 LSO-graded carrier landing passes or "traps"
TRAINING AIDS & REFERENCES
1. PLATFORM FAMLIARIZATION
2. BASIC AIRFIELD OPERATIONS
3. BASIC NAVIGATION
4. BASIC FORMATION FLYING
QUALIFICATION CHECKRIDE
CHECKRIDE 1: VNAO CHECKRIDE
LOCATION & DURATION
Location: Caucasus Map
Duration: 1 Hour
RECOMMENDED LOADOUT
STATIONS
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
AIM-9X EMPTY EMPTY EMPTY FUEL EMPTY EMPTY EMPTY AIM-9X
WAYPOINTS Launch: Kobuleti via VFA Daytime Departure
Recovery: Carrier via CASE I
PASS/FAIL CRITERIA
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Must pass within 2 nautical miles of designated waypoint
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Must demonstrate a "bearing line rejoin" to the tanker and proper port/starboard observation procedures
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Must receive the directed amount fuel from the Tanker
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Must demonstrate the ability to hold stable formation from lead aircraft in both Cruise and Parade formations. Student must also be comfortable maintaining formation while lead is performing turns both into and away from student.
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Must demonstrate proper procedures to enter the marshal stack
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Must demonstrate proper commencing and pattern entry procedures
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Must complete six LSO-graded carrier landing passes. The score for those six passes must average of 2.5 or higher, and have a boarding rate 50% or higher.
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Must not crash or collide with other aircraft, the ship or the ground during the evolution.
NOTES/ HELPFUL REFERENCES
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Assure SRS has been set up and tested prior to initiating qualification
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Assure Mod Repository has been set up and implemented prior to initiating qualification
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Assure checkride with a squadron CO or XO has been completed prior to signing up for qualification
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Aircraft Carrier Operating Procedures For DCS World
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DCS Supercarrier Operations Guide