RA Pilots Instrument Rating Scheme

Transcription

1 UNCONTROLLED COPY WHEN PRINTED Regulatory Article 2120 RA Pilots Instrument Rating Scheme Rationale To carry out their tasks safely, where insufficient external visual references exist, pilots of UK Military Aircraft must be able to operate their aircraft solely by reference to instruments and within the limits of the aids available. A scheme is required that ensures that those pilots who may be required to fly an aircraft to specific limits on instruments have sufficient experience, knowledge and skill, and are current. Categorizations within a scheme would also provide a guide to Authorizing Officers of demonstrated competency in instrument flying. Contents : Instrument Rating Requirements : The Instrument Rating Test (IRT) Regulation Instrument Rating Requirements All pilots who fly a UK Military Aircraft in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) or where insufficient external visual references exist shall hold a valid Instrument Rating. Instrument Rating Requirements 1. Training Prior to Instrument Rating Award. Aviation Duty Holders and Accountable Managers (Military Flying) (AM(MF)) should stipulate in Orders the circumstances under which a pilot may fly IMC without a valid Instrument Rating, including minimum competence requirements. The following circumstances should be catered for: a. Dual instrument flying training towards award of an Instrument Rating or revalidation of a lapsed Instrument Rating, where the supervising pilot holds a valid Instrument Rating. b. Pilots under training acting as aircraft commander who have undertaken an appropriate Instrument Flying (IF) competence check, when required to penetrate cloud as part of a recognized flying training course. IF competence checks should be documented in the pilots flying training records. 2. Instrument Rating Award. A rating should be awarded to a pilot or student pilot on successful completion of the appropriate flight or simulator test and ground examination as promulgated by Aviation Duty Holders or AM(MF), relevant to the aircraft type. Ratings should be awarded for a particular type or types of aircraft. Instrument Ratings awarded should be Amber, White, Green or Master Green, commensurate with flying accuracy achieved during the Instrument Rating Test (IRT), and experience, as specified in Aviation Duty Holder or AM(MF) Orders. 3. Multi-Type Aircrew. Where aircrew routinely operate multiple aircraft types, Aviation Duty Holders and AM(MF) should specify the applicability of ratings across different aircraft types. 4. IRT Report. On successful completion of flight and ground tests, an IRT Report should be completed and filed in the pilot's flying training record. 5. Logbook Entry. On award of a rating, full details should be recorded in the pilot's logbook, including: any restrictions; the award or expiry date; and the aircraft type. 6. Criteria. The criteria for the award of all ratings should be specified in Aviation Duty Holders and AM(MF) Orders. 7. Periodicity. Instrument ratings should be issued for a particular type and RA 2120 Issue 2 UNCONTROLLED COPY WHEN PRINTED Page 1 of 6

2 Regulatory Article 2120 UNCONTROLLED COPY WHEN PRINTED remain valid for 13 months from the date of the first flight of the IRT. After this period a complete retest is required for renewal. 8. Instrument Flying Currency. Aviation Duty Holders or AM(MF) should promulgate the instrument flying currency minima, by type and role within their AoR, required to maintain validity of an Instrument Rating. Where necessary, instrument flying currency minima should also include applicability of instrument flying training (including recordable hours) conducted across multiple types, or in a multi-crew environment. Aviation Duty Holders and AM(MF) should also determine the number of simulator hours that may be accredited to IF currency, or an IRT. 9. A Master Green or Green-rated pilot should automatically revert to a White rating and a White-rated pilot to unrated status if the minimum currency and practice requirements are not completed, provided the minimum currency and practice requirements are sufficient for the lesser rating. In either instance, in order to renew his rating, the pilot should complete the currency backlog to regain his previous rating. 10. Extensions. Aviation Duty Holders and AM(MF) should only grant extensions to the 13-month validity/periodicity for Instrument Ratings for essential operational reasons or exceptional circumstances. Where an extension is deemed necessary, it should be approved personally and in writing by the appropriate Aviation Duty Holder or AM(MF). 11. Frozen Rating. In the event that a pilot flies an IRT to the Master Green, Green or White standard, but has insufficient hours for the award of the rating, he should be granted a Frozen Rating. The pilot is issued a lower rating, which is upgraded automatically, if the minimum hours requirement is achieved within 3 months of the test. This timescale may be reduced further by the Aviation Duty Holder or AM(MF). 12. Instrument Flying Practice. Aviation Duty Holders and AM(MF) should ensure that all pilots who are required to maintain an Instrument Rating are given opportunities for adequate practice evenly distributed throughout the period of their appointment. Pilots should ensure that their ratings remain valid. 13. The amount of actual and simulated instrument flying, and the period in which this flying is to be carried out to maintain the standards of each category of instrument rating, should be specified in Aviation Duty Holder and AM(MF) Orders. The requirement should include a minimum number of IF hours and instrument approaches. Simulated instrument flying should normally be carried out in aircraft fitted with dual controls and supervised by a safety pilot in accordance with RA Exercises involving unusual attitudes should be conducted in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC). 14. Cancellation of an Award or Appointment. A pilot's rating should be cancelled, either automatically on expiration, or by his Aviation Duty Holder or AM(MF) or delegated authority, if there is evidence that the pilot is no longer competent to hold the rating. Similarly, an appointment as an examiner should be cancelled on expiry or on the recommendation of an Aviation Duty Holder or AM(MF) if there is evidence of incompetence. If an award or appointment is cancelled the word 'CANCELLED or EXPIRED', as appropriate should be written or stamped in red over the appropriate entry in the pilot's logbook. 15. Command Instrument Rating Examiner/ Command Instrument Rating Instructors and Instrument Rating Examiner/ Instrument Rating Instructors (CIRE/CIRIs and IRE/IRIs). Authority for the initial award and subsequent renewals of ratings and appointments as examiners should be specified in Aviation Duty Holder or AM(MF) Orders. Authority should not be delegated below OF4 level, or the Flight Operations post-holder. 16. IREs/IRIs should hold at least a Green rating and should be subject to tests by CIREs/CIRIs. Appointments as examiners should be valid for 13 months from the date of the first flying test. IREs/IRIs should possess the requisite experience, competence, skill and knowledge to be awarded examiner status. 17. Civilian and Service simulator instructors who conduct simulator IRTs should Page 2 of 6 UNCONTROLLED COPY WHEN PRINTED RA 2120 Issue 2

3 UNCONTROLLED COPY WHEN PRINTED Regulatory Article 2120 be nominated as IREs/IRIs. Those nominated should only to be approved by CIREs/CIRIs after being observed briefing, conducting and debriefing a simulator IRT. Simulator IREs/IRIs should be valid for 13 months from the date of the first simulator test. 18. Flight tests and ground examinations for Instrument Ratings should only be conducted by CIRE/CIRIs/IRE/IRIs. Guidance Material Instrument Rating Requirements 19. Multi-Type Aircrew. In determining applicability of ratings from one type of aircraft to one or more other types, Aviation Duty Holders and AM(MF) will need to consider such factors as: asymmetric characteristics; instrument/cockpit layouts; performance and handling; and aircraft system complexity. 20. Classes of Airspace. Notwithstanding the general privileges conferred by a pilot's instrument rating, limitations will apply in those classes of airspace for which the aircraft is not equipped, unless the appropriate Air Traffic Control (ATC) authority has given clearance. Instrument Rating Categories 21. Unrated. Where an IF competence check is used to penetrate cloud, the pilot must minimize time spent in IMC to that necessary to regain VMC. An IF competence check does not confer the same privileges as an Instrument Rating and must not be used for IMC operations in controlled airspace. 22. Amber Instrument Rating. The Amber rating will normally be awarded to pilots who have passed the appropriate flying and ground tests, but lack the experience or currency criteria laid down for the award of a White or Green rating. a. Privileges. The Amber rating qualifies a pilot to carry out the following tasks. (1) IMC: Airways crossing. Flight in Class F & G airspace. (2) Special VFR: Flight in Class D airspace. (3) Instrument Flight Rules (IFR): Flight in Class D & E airspace while under the control of the authority controlling that airspace. (4) Operational Air Traffic (OAT): All classes of airspace in the UK. b. Instrument Rating Allowance. For an Amber rated pilot, the Instrument Rating Allowance of 300 ft will be added to the Procedure Minima when calculating Decision Height/Decision Altitude (DH/DA) and Minimum Decent Height/Minimum Decent Altitude (MDH/MDA). 23. White Instrument Rating. The White rating may be awarded to pilots who have passed the appropriate flying and ground tests but who lack the currency or experience criteria for the award of a Green rating: a. Privileges. The unrestricted White rating qualifies a pilot to operate as General Air Traffic (GAT) or OAT in all classes of airspace. b. Restrictions. Aviation Duty Holders and AM(MF) may specify restrictions that apply to the issue of the White rating according to the experience of the pilot or the limitations of the aircraft type. c. Instrument Rating Allowance. For a White-rated pilot, the Instrument Rating Allowance of 200 ft will be added to the Procedure Minima when calculating DH/DA and MDH/MDA. 24. Green Instrument Rating. The Green rating may be awarded to pilots who have passed the appropriate flying and ground tests and who meet the minimum experience and currency criteria: a. Privileges. The unrestricted Green rating qualifies a pilot to operate as RA 2120 Issue 2 UNCONTROLLED COPY WHEN PRINTED Page 3 of 6

4 Regulatory Article 2120 UNCONTROLLED COPY WHEN PRINTED Guidance Material GAT or OAT in all classes of airspace. b. Restrictions. Aviation Duty Holders and AM(MF) may specify restrictions that apply to the issue of the Green rating according to the experience of the pilot or the limitations of the aircraft type. c. Instrument Rating Allowance. The Instrument Rating Allowance for a Green Rating is zero. 25. Master Green Instrument Rating. The Master Green rating may only awarded to pilots who have displayed superior airmanship. It is also a management tool that indicates to Commanders or Flight Operations post-holders and Authorizing Officers, a higher level of experience and accomplishment in instrument flying: a. Privileges. The unrestricted Master Green rating qualifies the pilot to the same level as a Green Rating, and confers the same privileges. b. Restrictions. Aviation Duty Holders or AM(MF) may specify restrictions that apply to the issue of a Master Green rating. c. Instrument Rating Allowance. The Instrument Rating Allowance for Master Green is zero. 26. Civilian IR Equivalency. Aviation Duty Holders and AM(MF) may allow a civilian IR to be used to confer a military IR; however, in doing so they must ensure that all the criteria contained within this regulation are met. Regulation The Instrument Rating Test All pilots shall demonstrate their ability to fly a UK Military Aircraft accurately and safely by reference to instruments alone before being issued an Instrument Rating. The Instrument Rating Test 27. During the IRT or tests, which may be taken under simulated or actual instrument flight conditions, a pilot should demonstrate his ability to fly accurately and safely by reference to aircraft instruments alone and to the limits of the aids available. When fitted, the head-up display should be used as the primary attitude reference during the IRT. The exercises included in the IRT should be promulgated in Aviation Duty Holder and AM(MF) Orders: all tests should comply with the provisions below. 28. IRT Limits. The limits of accuracy for the mandatory full panel sections of the test are in Tables 1, 2 and 3. Table 1. Instrument Approach (all Aircraft, all ratings). Instrument Landing System (ILS) Precision Approach Radar/Surveillance Radar Approach (PAR/SRA) TACAN/VOR/NDB ±½ full scale deflection of either localiser or glide path indication during the final approach The correct and timely application of ATC instructions ±5 degrees of published tracks Table 2. Fixed-wing Aircraft. Amber and White Ratings Green and Master Green Rating ±10 degrees of heading ±10 knots/0.03m ±100 feet (but ±200 feet above FL 250 and ±100 feet to -0 feet at MDH/MDA) ±5 degrees of heading ±5 knots/0.02m ±100 feet (but ±200 feet above FL 250 and ± 100 feet to -0 feet at MDH/MDA) Page 4 of 6 UNCONTROLLED COPY WHEN PRINTED RA 2120 Issue 2

5 UNCONTROLLED COPY WHEN PRINTED Regulatory Article 2120 Amber, White, Green Ratings Master Green Rating Table 3. Helicopters. ±10 degrees of heading ±10 knots ±100 feet (but ± 100 feet to -0 feet at MDH/MDA) ±5 degrees of heading ± 5 knots ± 100 feet (but ±100 feet to -0 feet at MDH/MDA) 29. Accuracy. The limits of accuracy expected during simulated emergencies, flight on standby instruments or for operational exercises will depend on aircraft instrumentation and operational requirements. The limits for these sections of tests should be laid down in Aviation Duty Holders and AM(MF) Orders. 30. Assessment Limits. With the exception of approach minima, which are mandatory, the IRT limits should be a guide to assessment only and apply to conditions of nil or light turbulence. In more difficult conditions the testing officer should grant a degree of latitude to the pilot under test. Greater importance is to be attached to smooth flying using the recommended techniques, with associated captaincy, cockpit management and airmanship appropriate to the type and role of aircraft on which tested and on the rating awarded. Candidates for the IRE/IRI test should be expected to plan, brief, fly, debrief and assess their own test in the presence of a CIRE/CIRI. 31. Airborne Assessment of Skill. The IRT schedules for individual aircraft types should be promulgated in Aviation Duty Holders and AM(MF) Orders. They should be designed to ensure that the pilot has the necessary skills to fly a particular type of aircraft in all those classes of airspace for which it is equipped, unless restrictions are placed on operations of either the aircraft or the individual pilot by Commanders or Flight Operations post-holders, who may then limit the test accordingly. In these circumstances, the limitations should be clearly laid out in the pilot s logbook and the IRT Report. 32. Conduct of the Test. Exercises involving partial panel, unusual attitudes and simulated emergencies should be conducted in a manner that is appropriate to the aircraft type and role; unrealistic simulated emergencies should not be included. Exercises involving unusual attitudes should be conducted in VMC. The flight test should be conducted on not more than two sorties but the rating validity should expire 13 months after the date of the first sortie. 33. Crew Co-ordination. If the aircraft for the IRT is normally flown with the aid of a crew member, then the candidate should be assisted with such information and assistance as would normally be made available to him by the crew. 34. Ground Examination. Oral or written ground examinations should be conducted by an IRE/IRI within 7 days of the flight test on a particular aircraft type. IRE/IRIs should ensure that the candidate's ground knowledge is sufficient for him to operate his aircraft type safely during instrument flight as pilot or Aircraft Commander. Relevant questions should be selected according to the aircraft type and role from the following list, and the standard of answers should be appropriate to the rating awarded: a. Manual of Military Air Traffic Management. Many regulations combine orders for pilots and air traffic controllers; questions should not be asked on controller aspects. b. Aviation Duty Holder or AM(MF) Orders. c. Information. Pilots should be able to extract information relevant to aircraft role from appropriate Air Information Publications and Flight Information Publications. Candidates for the IRE/IRI test should also be able to extract information on the conduct of IRTs from this Regulatory Article and subordinate documents/publications. d. Flight lnstruments and Radio Aids. Pilots should be able to explain the basic principles of operation, list the errors and limitations, and describe the RA 2120 Issue 2 UNCONTROLLED COPY WHEN PRINTED Page 5 of 6

6 Regulatory Article 2120 UNCONTROLLED COPY WHEN PRINTED normal and emergency use of the flight instruments and radio aids that they are required to interpret or operate in flight. e. Meteorology. Pilots should be able to: (1) Discuss the practical properties of the air masses in their likely theatres of operation. (2) Describe the formation, hazards associated with and avoidance of meteorological phenomena; and decode meteorological documentation. f. Performance. Pilots should be able to make correct use of the Aircraft Documentation Set (ADS) and other performance documents normally used by pilots on the aircraft type. Where appropriate, pilots should be able to extract practical performance, holding and diversion information from these documents. 35. Guidance Material The Instrument Rating Test 36. The central advisory body regarding instrument flying standards and techniques is Examining Wing of the Central Flying School (CFS). Commandant CFS may delegate responsibility for conducting IRE/IRI/IR tests to appointed CFS agents. Where authorized, these agents may also provide advice within their Aviation Duty Holder and AM(MF) Orders on instrument flying matters. Page 6 of 6 UNCONTROLLED COPY WHEN PRINTED RA 2120 Issue 2