103.1 What are the seven primary mission areas of Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA)?

  1. Anti-Surface Warfare (ASU)

  2. Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)
  3. Command and Control Warfare (C2W)
  4. Command, Control, and Communications (CCC)
  5. Intelligence (INT)
  6. Mine Warfare (MIW)
  7. Mobility (MOB)

103.2 Describe the basic purpose of the following common flights related to aircraft flight proficiency:

  1. Instrument training- provides proficiency training for pilots and NFO's in radio communications/navigation procedures and flight publications usage and interpretation. The proficiency in flight instruments usage is necessary for IFR type flights and IMC flight conditions.

  2. Dedicated Field Work (DFW)- provides pilots the opportunity to enhance their piloting skills in all phases of flight, as well as flying adequate hours each month to maintain proficiency and build required experience levels. All pilots should: Complete one DFW per month with a minimum of six landings, complete one night DFW per quarter with a minimum of six landings, and complete one Instructor DFW per quarter which includes a three engine, two engine, and no flap landing, etc.

  3. NATOPS instrument evaluation- administered by pilots and NFO's. NFO's take only a written exam while pilots take a written evaluation which evaluates their ability to fly an instrument approach and interpret/use flight publications.

  4. Airways training- encompasses many types of flights such as logistic flights, airlifts, sleigh rides, and other flights. Provides proficiency training in flights filed under IFR flight plans and conducted along ATC controlled flight routes.

103.3 Describe the basic purpose of the following common flights related to aircrew operational proficiency:

  1. Crew training- The readiness progression of a newly formed crew is measured by the achievement of individual training of each of its crewmembers and the ability of the entire crew to meet the certification standards that are outlined in this instruction. Readiness levels should increase as each crewmember completes their basic qualifications and the entire crew, in turn, fulfills each of its qualification requirements. Squadron Commanding Officers shall certify designated qualifications, using the squadron Tactical Analysis Board (TAB) as the primary review and quality assurance agent (Chapter 5 germane). An appropriate Wing representative certifies crew qualifications. When the prerequisites for combat ready crew designation have been fulfilled, the crew shall be certified combat ready by the squadron Commanding Officer. Each crew must be combat ready in the relevant Primary Mission Area (PMA) to be authorized to conduct operational missions within that particular PMA.

  2. NATOPS evaluation flight- an evaluation flight in which a squadron NATOPS instructor evaluates the knowledge and proficiency of a crewmember for a specific position in the aircraft.

103.4 Describe the basic purpose of the Magnetic Anomaly Detection Compensation (MADCOMP) check.

The various MAD checks incorporated in the checkflight are designed to provide in-flight checks to validate the repair of previous MAD discrepancies and to determine the need for MAD compensation.

103.5 Describe the following NATOPS conditions of flight:

  1. Condition 1-(Battle) all stations manned for low altitude ASW localization, mining, attack, or rigging.

  2. Condition 2- (Surveillance/High Altitude ASW Operations/Transit) all stations manned as necessary for routine search, patrol, high altitude ASW operations, overwater or overland flight.
  3. Condition 3- (Operational Check) all stations manned by primary operators. Perform ICS check: obtain equipment status. Make equipment status report to TACCO. TACCO report status to pilot in command.
  4. Condition 4- (Aircraft Inspection) crewmember(s) designated by the pilot in command during crew briefing leaves ditching station and inspects the following:

5. Condition 5- (Takeoff/Landing) all crewmembers and passengers shall take assigned ditching stations.