Updated: 2024-01-02 --- %% >[!tobo] >Wx >Marking Moms >Established >CASE III Stack >Stack entry >Commence >Final- 10-3 DME >Final- 3-0 DME >Ball Call/Clara >ACLS/ICLS >Bolter Pattern >CASE II variations %% # CASE III Conditions Unlike a CASE I, CASE III is flown under IMC conditions. CASE III conditions are defined as follows: Visibility under 3NM or cloud ceiling under 1000ft OR Whenever it is night time. Night is defined as 1.5 hours before sunset until 1.5 hours after sunrise. Because of this, all aircraft will be flying IFR. - - - # CASE III Marshal Stack The CASE III Marshal stack starts at the lowest of 6000 feet with the next separated by 1000 feet. Pilots will be able to calculate their distance for their Initial Approach Fix (IAF) by adding 15 to their marshal altitude. For example if their assigned marshal altitude is angels 7, their IAF is 22 DME angels 7; angels 8, 23 DME angels 8. Only one aircraft is permitted at each altitude. The stack's holding pattern is a standard 6 minute left hand hold that starts from the IAF, 2 minute turns, 1 minute legs. However, pilots are not required to fly the full holding pattern of 6 minutes, and can adapt the timings of each leg in order to make their commence time. Still, it is important for pilots not to climb or descend in order to avoid collisions. ![[CASE III Marshal Stack.png]] ### Holding Radial During the initial inbound call, Marshal will issue a holding radial. A common mistake most pilots make is to assume the heading given is the inbound heading, and therefore will position themselves fore of the ship instead of aft. It is important to remember that the magnetic heading given is the outbound course relative to the carrier's position. ### Commence Time As per vCSG-3 SOPs, commence times (A.K.A push times) are given after pilots are established at their IAF, as we believe that this is more manageable for both pilots and controllers alike in a DCS environment. The rule for issuing commence time is that there needs to be at least 2 minutes between each commence, if not, a minimum of 4 minutes of holding must be added. | Modex | Established Time | Commence Time | | ---- | ---- | ---- | | 201 | 0030 | 0030 | | 202 | 0031 | 0035 | | 203 | 0032 | 0037 | | 204 | 0039 | 0039 | The table above is an example that demonstrates the rule. As 201 is the first aircraft of the stack, they can be commenced instantly. Because 202 arrived at 0031 and there is only a 1 minute gap between their established time and 201's commence time, 4 minutes have been added to 202's commence time. As 203 arrived at 0032 but 201's commence time is 0035, we add the minimum of 4 minutes of holding to 203's established time. However, as 4 minutes isn't enough to allow for the minimum separation of 2 minutes per commence, we only need to add enough time to meet that rule, which is 1 minute in this case, as a result giving us 0037 for 203's commence time. - - - # CASE III Approach The CASE III approach is like a straight in approach at an airfield. Once an aircraft reaches their IAF within the 30 second commence window (within 15 seconds early and late), they will start their approach. Aircraft will start a -4000 fpm descent rate at 250 knots until they reach the platform altitude of 5000 feet, in which they will arrest their descent rate to 2000 feet, levelling off at 1200 feet. At 8 DME, the aircraft should dirty up and should complete their landing checks by 6 DME unless otherwise instructed by approach. At 6 DME, the approach controller asks the pilot whether they've got ACLS, ICLS or TACAN information. After confirming the type of approach the pilot wants, the approach controller will inform the aircraft of their distance from the carrier every mile. The pilot does not need to respond to each call. At 3NM, the aircraft will intercept the glideslope and will be informed of this, and will descend accordingly. The approach minima will be dependant on the approach type the pilot has: | Approach Type | DA - Dist | | ---- | ---- | | ACLS | 260 - N/A | | ICLS | 360 - 3/4 | | TACAN | 600 - 1-1/4 | Pilots must be able to call the ball before they reach the corresponding minima. If they cannot, they must wave-off and enter the bolter pattern. The LSO will not be using a separate frequency, and will instead talk on the approach button the aircraft in the groove was assigned to. When a pilot executes a wave off, they will raise their landing gears, and maintain 200 knots. Pilots will not turn towards BRC and instead maintain on FB, and will climb to 1200 feet. Pilots should expect instructions from approach to turn downwind. On downwind, the approach controller will instruct pilots to intercept final bearing between 4 - 10NM behind the ship. Pilots will dirty up at different times depending on when they get turned to intercept FB: 4NM: Start of the turn 6NM: Halfway through the turn 8NM: Once heading FB If pilots after entering the bolter pattern that are approaching 4NM ahead of the ship and aren't given instructions, they should first attempt to make contact with the controller. If no instructions have been received from the approach controller, pilots can turn downwind at 4NM, and should report abeam the carrier. Should the pilot not receive further instructions or acknowledgement, they can turn to intercept FB at 4 DME. ![[CV-1 Approach.png]] *CV-1 Approach plate from the CV Natops Manual* ### ACLS Modes There are 3 approach modes an aircraft can use to land at the carrier. Mode 1: Automatic carrier landing using datalink. Mode 2: Manual landing with needles displayed on the HUD. Is the most common ACLS approach Mode 3: Although this is pretty much a GCA, it uses information sent to the carrier via datalink instead of a PAR. Carrier Controlled Approach will be discussed further [[03 - ACLS MODE III|here]]. - - - # CASE II CASE II is a combination of CASE I and III. It starts with an IFR approach, and transitions to a VFR pattern for landing. ### CASE II Conditions Visibility: 5+ NM AND Cloud Ceiling: 1000 - 3000 feet ### CASE II Marshal Stack and Approach The CASE II Marshal stack is the same as a [[04 - Case II & III Stack and Pattern#CASE III Marshal Stack|CASE III Marshal stack]] with the exception that the BRC is given instead of the FB. The approach is the same as a CASE III approach all the way until aircraft reach 10NM. If the pilot sees the carrier at any time, they will notify the approach controller, whom will then hand the pilots off to tower. From then on, pilots can start to setup a 3NM initial for the CASE I pattern. However, if the carrier cannot be spotted by 5NM, aircraft should report the following: >[!example]+ If carrier cannot be seen at 5NM > `[Carrier Callsign]` approach, `[Modex]`, recommend CASE III. > > [!quote] Example > > `A/C`: "Rough Rider Approach, 203, recommend CASE III." > > The approach controller will then vector the aircraft to the CASE III bolter/waveoff pattern, and recovery conditions will be re-evaluated. In case of a bolter, the [[03 - Case I Stack and Pattern#Bolter pattern|CASE I bolter pattern]] will be used.