From MarineGouge

Contents 1 Qualifications to select 2 Intermediate 2.1 Syllabus Breakdown 3 Advanced 3.1 Briefing Guides 3.1.1 CPT's 3.1.2 Contacts 3.1.3 BI's & RI's 3.1.4 TACFORM/LAT (Low Altitude Tactics) 3.1.4.1 Syllabus Notes 3.1.4.2 F4201 3.1.4.3 F4202 3.1.4.4 F4203/T4401 3.1.4.5 F4204/T4402 3.1.5 AND THEN FINALLY: 4 VMMT-204 (FRS) 4.1 Study Guides for Syllabus Events

Qualifications to select

• Mimimum 40 NSS
• No more than two academic failures
• No more than three unsats throughout the primary syllabus
• A good rule of thumb is 'no pink sheets'

Intermediate

After Primary you will move on to Intermediate Tilt-Rotor at South Whiting. If you complete primary in Corpus, the Marine Corps will PCS you to Whiting and give you seven days travel and proceed. If your family is in Corpus, they will still PCS you even though you are moving back in 3-4 months. Because of the two PCS moves, you rate DLA twice even though it may be the same fiscal year. Do not let any admin try to tell you otherwise. There are two sets of regulations, one stating that DLA may only be claimed once per fiscal year and another superseding the first that states DLA may be claimed more than once if the member has PCS'd more than ONCE in a fiscal year.

The HT squadrons place a greater emphasis on detail and procedures, this is a good thing. Get your game face on and expect an experience more similar to primary. The TH-57 gouge on this site is very helpful and stays up to date. Instructors in the HT's also are more inclined to stop and assist if you have questions or difficulty with concepts.

Because the helo squadrons have not seen a lot of V-22 students, even the operations department isn't always up to speed on the particulars of your syllabus. Make sure you know your syllabus and what events you are eligible to be scheduled for.

As of March 2009 a new syllabus has come into effect. Tilt-rotor students no longer do a C4390 "B" checkride, C4401 "B" Solo, C4501-3 (Superfams), or N4502-5 (Low-level navigation). The changes are reflected in the syllabus breakdown below. As the syllabus has been changed, most instructors are not up to date and need to be briefed. Tilt-rotor students are no longer required to do full autos or sliding landings. Since some events have been deleted from the syllabus (C4501-3), the briefing items for those flights have been added to the Tactics flights (T4001-3) and the Trans Fams (C4601-2). The changes to the syllabus are available in CNATRANOTE 1542 Subj: Advanced Tiltrotor Helicopter MPTS - Interim Waiver, released on 2 Mar 2009.

Syllabus Breakdown

• Up to C3001 is in the TH-57B

• C2001-5 CPTs are just like at primary with a static trainer

• C4001-4 Fams, focus is on hovering and low work

• C4101-3 Pattern work with autos

• C4201-3 More pattern work with autos and eps, prep for solo

• T4001-3 Tactics flights: high speed approaches, confined area landing, pinnacle ops, and external loads

• C3001 Transition sim to the TH-57C

• C4601-2 "C" Model transition contact flights, review of pattern, auto, eps

• C4801-2 Night contacts

• I3001-5 BI sims, usually in a motion sim

• I3101 EP sim with another student

• N4501 Low-Level Navigation Flight (Green route, forward and reverse)

• F4001-3 and F4101-2 Forms and Cruise Forms

• T4101, T4201 Field deck landing pattern practice for the boat, then the actual boat

• T3201 NVG sim

• T4401-5 NVG flights

Advanced

Advanced training is done at VT-35 aboard NAS Corpus Christi. This is primarily an Air Force C-130/Navy P-3 squadron with less than 10% Marines. It is the only advanced squadron with a joint USN/USAF command structure. The Stingrays fly the TC-12B aircraft which are C-12B's retired from the fleet to training command. The TC-12B is is great to fly, as it is a Beech Super King Air 200 with orange and white paint.

The Syllabus includes CPT's, Contacts, BI's, RI's, Form's Low Altitude Tactics and an two EP Sims. The CRM concept is emphasized throughout. 51 events take 4-6 months to complete from check-in and the syllabus is only 5.4 hours shorter than the USMC C-130 guys who wing from the squadron. At the completion of the syllabus, it is possible to get your civilian type rating before leaving for New River. Marines are paired with a partner (also Marine) at the beginning of the syllabus and you will progress together through it.

A lot of essential gouge gets passed from student to student, ensure you get the CD as well as the Checklist DVD prior to starting ground school and utilize the squadron binder for VNAVs. For a brief synopsis of the VT-35 Curriculum, http://www.baseops.net/militarypilot/t44_phase3.html

Briefing Guides

CPT's

Contacts

• C41 (Basic Contact) Five flights, all flown with On-Wing
• C42 (Emergency Contact) Five flights. C4201-2 flown with On-Wing

- No Contact Check for Tilt-Rotor syllabus

• C45 Night Contact - Two Flights

BI's & RI's

• I31 Basic Instruments - Simulator
• I32 Radar and Non-Precision Approaches - Simulator
• I41 Radar and Non-Precision Approaches - Aircraft
• I33 Emergency Instrument Approaches - Simulator
• I42 Emergency Instrument Approaches - Aircraft
• I4390 Midstage Check - Aircraft
• I45 Cross-Country
• I34 Instrument EP/CRM - Simulator
• I46 Advanced Emergency Instruments - Aircraft
• I47 Check - Aircraft
• I48 Solo - Aircraft

TACFORM/LAT (Low Altitude Tactics)

• F42 Formation (Tilt-Rotor course flow only)
• T44 Low Altitude Tactics (Tilt-Rotor course flow only)

The final portion of training at VT-35 begins with another week of ground school followed by a Squadron Formation and Squadron VNAV brief. There are 10 total flights: four F4200 flights, four T4400 flights, a check-ride and solo. F4201/2 are similar to parade forms from primary. F4203-4 will normally be paired with with T4401-3. T4403-4 are flown as separate events, then an EP sim, LAT checkride and LAT Solo.

Syllabus Notes

• Completes form sequence IAW FTI and Formation Briefing Guide
• F4201/2 should concentrate on parade and cruise formation positions and maneuvers
• F4202 shall include introduction to tanker rendezvous
• F4203/4/5 shall encompass tactical formation maneuvering/tanker rendezvous and, for planning purposes, will be flown in conjunction with events T4401/2/3. Section tanker rendezvous shall be flown on one of the combined sorties
• All events shall be flown as a section only, not including tanker
• One tanker rendezvous will be accomplished as a section of receivers

F4201

• Formation Flight Procedures and Flight Sequence (FTI pp 5-8 - 5-20) Climb and Descend at 1000ft/min, cruise @170 KIAS, Lead power limited to 2000ft/lbs climb/accel and no less than 500ft/lbs in descent.
• Formation Emergency Procedures (FTI pp 5-4 - 5-7, NATOPS CH 11-15) Be familiar with Lost Sight/Blind, Inadvertent IMC, Radio/Equipment Failures, Lead/Wing Lost Comm, Engine Failure, Midair Collision, Knock It Off and EP's IAW NATOPS
• Aborted Takeoff (FTI p 5-7) If the lead aircraft aborts a takeoff, the entire flight shall abort. Lead must immediately notify wing and Tower by making an 'aborting' call on tower frequency. Lead attempts to remain on his half of the runway avoiding unnecessarily high rates of deceleration. Wing shall avoid overtaking lead and inform lead when safely decelerated to allow lead full use of the entire runway. If wing aborts, he must allow lead to become safely airborne before notifying the Tower and lead. Lead shall continue his takeoff and return to land at his discretion.
• Flight Integrity
• Parade Checkpoints (FTI pp 5-9, Fig 5-1/2) Parade position is defined as the 25'-30' on the 45 degree bearing line (Lower Dorsal over OB wingtip), 20 feet stepdown (IB Exhaust below IB wing) and 10' between Wing's nose and Lead's wingtip. For turns into Lead, the checkpoints remain the same and power is reduced. For turns away, wing must add power and maintain bearing by keeping the lower rotating beacon just forward of the outbound tire. The OB nacelle is placed on the horizon and the OB exhaust stack becomes visible, ensuring the stepdown is sufficient.
• Lead Responsibilities The formation leader is the PIC of the lead aircraft. The formation leader changes with every lead change and provides a stable platform for wing. They will conduct the flight in briefed sequence, keep the flight in VMC and clear of other aircraft and in the assigned operating area while complying with course rules and applicable ATC clearances. Lastly, ensure timely completion of all checklists.
• Dash-2 Responsibilities The primary duty of the wingman is to maintain position as briefed, or inform the lead of any inability to do so. All commands should be acknowledged and frequency changes accomplished as briefed. The PF must be entirely occupied with maintaining safe separation and proper position. To avoid confusion (the PNF acknowledges a maneuver command the PF either missed of misunderstood) the PF should acknowledge all maneuver commands on internal comms.
• Comm Procedures Visual signals are impractical for large aircraft and are reserved for lost comm scenarios. A discreet frequency will be assigned and used during the flight. Wing will acknowledge with 'Two' when only an acknowledgment is required, 'Standby' if wing needs to reposition before maneuvering and 'Unable' followed by an explanation if wing cannot comply with request.
• Brevity Codes

F4202

• Lost Contact
• Inadvertent IMC
• Cruise Checkpoints
• Cruise Principles
• Tanker Rendezvous Procedures

Conduct of Flight

• Seagull/Delta
• Form Sequence 2
• 2 Sets of TAC turns(Each student leads one)
• 2 Tanker/Refueler (Swap positions on 2nd)
• IFR/VFR Recovery (Whichever was not accomplished on F4101)

F4203/T4401

• Composite Flight Plan
• TACAN Rendezvous
• Combat Cruise Checkpoints
• Combat Spread Checkpoints
• Tactical Formation Maneuvers

Conduct of Flight

• Delta/REDROCK to KPKV
• Close form on way out to Delta (Form Sequence 2 if student is struggling)
• 2 Sets of TAC turns (Each student leads one)
• 1 Tanker refueler
• Close form on way to KVCT (Form sequence 2 if student is struggling)
• REDROCK (No lead changes in middle of route)
• Bounce at KPKV
• Course Rules home via Mission Bay/Point Bravo

F4204/T4402

• Penetration
• Any EP

Conduct of Flight

• Same as F4203/T4401 except student swap positions.

AND THEN FINALLY:

VMMT-204 (FRS)

Be sure that prior to reporting into 204 that you call a buddy of your's who is already at the FRS so that they can set you up with a meeting to see the XO and CO the day you report in. After you check-in you will have the standard squadron/base check-in sheet that needs to be done. However, once you have gotten checked into IPAC (similar to CPAC at MATSG-21) you can take 10 days of PTAD house-hunting leave.

Once you get back from your 10 days of leave, you will be given an actual billet in the squadron similar to when you arrive at your first fleet squadron. Be prepared to go to legal school, security manager course, safety school, or any other schools that your job might require. You will be expected to fulfill your ground job duties in addition to studying for ground school, sims, and flights. It is not like other FRS squadrons where once you start ground school, sims, and flying, you can forget about your ground job. Your observed FITREP will reflect how you perform. In addition to your job, you will start standing ODO (operations duty officer). Be prepared to stand a lot of ODO prior to starting ground school. Initially ODO isn't that great, but once you get the hang of it, it isn't too bad.

Once you get settled into your ground job and get all of your check-in accomplished you can start tackling ADL (computer based training) modules. I would recommend this as they generally take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half to complete and it is not like flight school where you can just click through the slides. In addition, I would recommend taking the ADLs seriously as the only ground school classes you have are system reviews and do not cover in depth information on the different systems. Initially, you will be able to complete 40 ADLs prior to ground school. These ADLs deal with the different system components of the Osprey.

Ground school typically last one month and includes all the associated systems review classes, course rules class, weight/balance class, and various other classes. In addition to the classes, you will begin CPTs. You have 4 CPTs and their sole purpose is to get the student comfortable with navigating within the numerous sub-layers within the CMS (cockpit management system).

Following ground school, you will begin your SFAMs (Sim FAMs). There are 11 of these prior to your first flight in the aircraft. They begin with the start checklist during your first SFAM and build you up to your last SFAM in which you will be doing various contact pattern work (normal approaches, steep approaches, no-hover landings, roll-on landings, short-takeoffs, etc).

After the completion of your last SFAM you will get your first flight in the aircraft. There are a total of 21 flights in the aircraft in addition to various other simulator events (instruments, CALs, form, NVGs, NVG form, etc.). It will take approximately 2 months to complete those flights and sims.

All in all the FRS syllabus should take 4-5 months from the time you start ground school. However, be prepared for delays due to maintenance and weather.

Study Guides for Syllabus Events

New T&R Study Guides

How about a little operational security. This is a fleet aircraft. Find a better way to pass gouge or get a phone call from NCIS.

What does the front of the NATOPS say?

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