¶ Intro
The Initial Qualification Training (IQT) check ride is designed to ensure that incoming pilots to the 395th possess a basic understanding of flying the F-15E in a live environment. It is not designed as a high barrier of entry for operations, but instead as a check that pilot can basically handle themselves in a combat environment without requiring the full attention of a flight lead at most times.
This check ride is technically open book, but you should expect to answer questions about the Mudhen throughout the check ride.
Dying and failing to kill units is allowed, to an extent, but proctors may fail a testing pilot if it is clear they lack an understanding of the task they are trying to accomplish. The goal of most weapon employment objectives in the rubric is to see the weapon come off the rail and arrive in the vicinity of the target.
WSOs will be required to pass the pilot qualifications in order to prove systems proficiency.
Candidates must also complete the associated weapons qualifications found here: LINK
¶ Method of Taking
You have two options to take this checkride:
¶ 1. Alone
You must have the Tacview exporter installed and active for this method. You will download the miz file and run the miz unmodified in DCS. When complete, you will screenshot the report in the top right corner indicating your pass status. You will provide both this screenshot and ACMI file in the 395th's channel on CSG8, preferably the #Qualifications post.
You will then answer questions related to memory items in a voice channel with an IP or CO/XO.
¶ 2. Proctored
You will download the miz file and run the miz unmodified in DCS. You will stream your progress with your proctor in a voice channel on Discord. The proctor will ask memory item questions while you are flying.
To arrange a proctored exam, you will need to ask for a proctor in #395th General and either an IP or CO/XO will proctor your exam as their availability permits.
¶ Rubric
- Answer basic information about the F-15E that should be memorized by all pilots
- Acquire and track targets with the A/A Radar
- Acquire and track targets with the TPOD
- Acquire targets with the A/G Radar
- Employ GBU-12's in AUTO
- Employ high drag bombs in CDIP
- Employ AIM-120s or AIM-9s in air to air combat
- Perform an overhead landing pattern
- Demonstrate basic usage of the UFC
- TACAN navigation and intercept
¶ Memory Items for Checkride
-
What is the standard altitude and speed of a field overhead break?
- 300kts @ 1500ft AGL
-
At what altitude is the LANTIRN Targeting Pod restricted to when firing the laser?
-25,000' MSL -
At what speed do the tires fail during takeoff?
- 200kts
-
How do you manually switch between Steer Points, Target Points, and Aim Points/Offset Points using the UFC?
- Enter the name of the point on the scratchpad, and then hit the STR PB on the UFC Menu 1.
-
How can you tell if a point is a target point?
- The point will have a period after the number.
-
What happens when you use the TGT cursor function with a Target Point selected?
- The point, along with all of its' offsets will move to the cursor's location.
-
How do you CUE the TPOD to Steer Points and Mark Points?
- PB 17 For Steerpoints OR Enter the point's name into the scratchpad, then PB 17.
-
How many degrees is the forward facing A/G Radar Blind Spot?
- 8 Degrees
-
How do you select a radio preset?
- Rotate the left or right radio knob.
-
How do you tune a radio manually?
- Enter the desired frequency into the scratchpad.
-
Press the PB for the desired radio to tune.
-
Press
GREC C/Mon the side of the radio you wish to toggle channel/manual mode. -
Explain the following modes of the FCR and when you would utilize them:
- RWS
- TWS
-
STT
-
What HOTAS control commands TWS modes, and which commands TWS 3HDR?
- Auto Acq., A. Acq. FWD Short.
-
How do you enter undesignated TWS?
- TDC down in an empty space, then Auto Acq. into the desired pattern.
-
What HOTAS control quicksteps between tracks?
- Coolie Up Short.
-
If you are in A/G mode and attempting to designate a target with the TPOD, and when you return to cue, it is not where you designated. What is the most likely explanation?
- The target was not designated with laser rangefinding.
-
Which are the five types of designation?
- RADAR - TGT Cursor Function
- POD - TGT Cursor Function
- NAV - PB 17 Cue
- HUD - TDC Press when HUD
IN COMMAND - CDIP - Generated upon CDIP weapon release
¶ Checkride Instructions
If you die at any point during the check ride, respawning is allowed, but you should respawn into the exact same slot you were occupying when you died.
You must start the check ride in slot
IQT-1and should not rearm the jet.
If you ascend above 1500 FT AGL in the low level course from the time you pass the smoke markers to until weapons release you will automatically fail.
¶ Before Sortie
The IQT sortie will require you to detect a target using the A/G Radar. It is highly recommended to perform target study before taking off.
¶ Target Study
Your first target will be a SCUD launcher located within a SAM revetment near Bassel Al-Assad.
Note the position of the launcher within the revetment, and the revetment's position relative to nearby landmarks, such as the highway, the airfield, and various shapes on the coastline. Three offset points have been provided for reference.
Your second target is a row of MiG-29's at Hatay. Use your instruments to line up the approach at low level. AAA emplacements are located at each of the offset points.
¶ Example Maps
This is an example of what your first medium-scale patch map may look like. This map is not suitable for submission as the cursor is covering up the designation. Use the declutter option for your submitted map.
This is an example of a good final designation, and a map suitable for submission. The target is clearly visible, and at least one offset point is visible, along with other reference marks.
¶ Begin IQT Sortie
- Load the mission.
- Slot into aircraft
IQT-1
Prepare the following PACS programs before takeoff:
-
Program 1
- GBU-12
- AUTO
- N/T
- STEP
-
Program 2
- MK82AR
- CDIP
- N/T
- RPL SGL
- QTY 12
- INTVL 30
This mission has a flight distance in excess of 350 miles. It is incredibly important that you plan and manage your fuel consumption for this mission. Running out of fuel constitutes an automatic failure.
- Takeoff from Incirlik.
- Navigate towards
Steer Point 1A. - Before reaching
Steer Point 1A, switch steer point toTarget Point 3.Aon the UFC. - Navigate towards
Steer Point 2A, this steer point is an offset point to enable better A/G mapping. - Before
Steer Point 2A, use the A/G Radar to take a Patch Map of the area nearTarget Point 3.A. Confirm the target, and turn in to attack when acquired. - Destroy the target near
Target Point 3.Awith GBU-12 inProgram 1. - Navigate to
Steer Point 4A, descend to below 1500' AGL before passing through the smoke markers en route toTarget Point 5.A.Do not ascend above 1500' AGL. - Employ 12 Mk-82AIRs in
Program 2on the targets located atTarget Point 5.A.
For this attack, you may wish to measure the course required to line up all targets. The required course is approximately 039 degrees.
Be prepared to do a guns jink against anti-aircraft artillery.
- After your attack, extend towards
Steer Point 6A. - Once out safe the altitude restriction will be lifted, begin to climb while sanitizing the airspace using the A/A radar.
- Engage the MiG-29.
- When the MiG-29 has been destroyed, climb to above 10,000' and navigate back to
Target Point 5.A - Navigate towards
Steer Point 7A - Intercept Incirlik's TACAN (
21X) on the 230 radial at 12 DME or greater. Continue flying on the radial after intercept. - Perform a straight in touch-and-go to Incirlik, immediately enter the downwind upon taking back off, and then perform a full stop landing. Wait until you receive a message that the mission is complete before moving or unslotting.
You are not considered to be landed until your speed has dropped below 10kts
- You will receive a message indicating your completed check ride report. Screenshot this report and give it to the CO/XO or place it in the Qualifications thread in the
#395th-fschannel in Discord.
If you don't receive the message automatically turn onto the last taxiway at the end of the runway.