Training Circular
No. 1-204
* TC 1-204
HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Washington, DC 27 December 1988

TC 1-204

NIGHT FLIGHT TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES

DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTION: Distribution authorized to US government agencies and their contractors to protect information and technical data that address current technology in areas of significant or potentially significant military application. This determination was made on 5 August 1988. Other requests for this document will be referred to Commander, US Army Aviation Center, ATTN: ATZQ-DAP-SS, Fort Rucker, AL 36362-5035.

DESTRUCTION NOTICE: Destroy by any method that will prevent disclosure of contents or reconstruction of the document.

PREFACE

CHAPTER 1 NIGHT VISION

1-1. Night Vision Evaluation

1-2. Eye Anatomy and Physiology

1-3. Light Levels

1-4. Vision Types

1-5. Day Versus Night Vision

1-6. Visual Problems

1-7. Dark Adaptation

1-8. Night Vision Protection

1-9. Self-Imposed Stress

1-10. Scanning Techniques

1-11. Distance Estimation and Depth Perception

1-12. Visual Illusions

1-13. Aircraft Design Limitations

1-14. Nerve Agents and Night Vision (Miosis)

CHAPTER 2 AVIATION NIGHT VISION AIDS

Section I IMAGE-INTENSIFIER SYSTEMS

2-1. Development

2-2. Operational Theory

2-3. AN/PVS-5 Series

2-4. AN/AVS-6

2-5. Adjustment Techniques

2-6. Operational Considerations

Section II THERMAL-IMAGING SYSTEMS

2-7. Operational Principles

2-8. System Types

2-9. Infrared Characteristics

2-10. Operational Considerations

CHAPTER 3 HEMISPHERICAL ILLUMINATION AND METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS

3-1. Light Sources

3-2. Meteorological Effects

CHAPTER 4 TERRAIN INTERPRETATION

4-1. Visual Recognition Cues

4-2. Interpretation Factors

CHAPTER 5 NIGHT OPERATIONS

Section I PREMISSION PLANNING

5-1. Mission Briefing and Debriefing

5-2. Crew Duties

5-3. Common Terminology

Section II PREFLIGHT GUIDELINES

5-4. Preflight Inspection

5-5. Aircraft Lighting

5-6. Aircrew Preparation

Section III NIGHT FLIGHT TECHNIQUES

5-7. Limitations

5-8. Hover

5-9. Takeoff

5-10. En Route

5-11. Landing

5-12. Pathfinder Operations

5-13. External Load Operations

Section IV EMERGENCY AND SAFETY PROCEDURES

5-14. Basic Considerations

5-15. Electrical Failure

5-16. Airport Traffic Control Light Signals

5-17. Visual Night Signals

5-18. Emergency Landing

5-19. Ground Safety

5-20. Air Safety

5-21. Airspace Management

CHAPTER 6 NIGHT TERRAIN FLIGHT

Section I TERRAIN FLIGHT MODES AND COMMAND CONSIDERATIONS

6-1. Terrain Flight Modes

6-2. Command Considerations

Section II PLANNING GUIDELINES

6-3. General Considerations

6-4. Cockpit Teamwork and Coordination

6-5. Aircraft Preparation and Equipment

6-6. Maps and Visual Aids

6-7. General Route and Air Control Point Planning

6-8. Aided Night Mission Map Preparation

6-9. Aided Night Mission Planning and Briefings

6-10. Route Planning Cards

CHAPTER 7 MULTIHELICOPTER OPERATIONS

Section I CONSIDERATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

7-1. Planning Considerations

7-2. Supported Ground Unit Commander Responsibilities

7-3. Air Mission or Flight Commander Responsibilities

Section II NIGHT FLIGHT FORMATIONS

7-4. Aircraft Separation

7-5. Night Formations

7-6. Basic Night Formation Considerations

7-7. Formation Takeoff

7-8. Lead Changes

7-9. Formation Changes

7-10. Rendezvous and Join-Up Procedures

7-11. Formation Breakup

7-12. Formation Landing

7-13. Vertical Helicopter IFR Recovery Procedures

Section III TACTICAL FORMATION FLIGHT

7-14. Free-Cruise Technique

7-15. Movement Techniques

7-16. Crew Teamwork

7-17. Mixed Aircraft Formations

CHAPTER 8 FIXED-WING NIGHT FLYING

8-1. Preparation

8-2. Taxi, Takeoff, and Departure Climb

8-3. Orientation and Navigation

8-4. Approaches and Landings

CHAPTER 9 DROP FLARE EMPLOYMENT

9-1. Target Identification

9-2. Description

9-3. Fuze Setting

9-4. Launch Procedures

9-5. Flight Pattern

9-6. Wind-Drift Correction

9-7. Linear Target Illumination

9-8. Safety Considerations

9-9. Training Program

APPENDIX A. ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM

APPENDIX B. I² SYSTEM COUNTERWEIGHTS

APPENDIX C. PNVS FLIR

APPENDIX D. TRAINING PROGRAMS

GLOSSARY

REFERENCES

AUTHENTICATION

*This publication supersedes FM 1-204, 11 October 1983.

TC 1-204

NIGHT FLIGHT TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES

TABLE OF CONTENTS