The Fixed-wing Aircrew Handbook

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Aircrews provide a vital transport and logistical boost to infantry forces, for reconnaissance, fire support, logistics and transport.

• Member of J7 Staff responsible for overseeing a specific combat area, its training and training team
• Minimum of 1 and maximum of 2 per skill card; each staff member can oversee up to 4 skill cards in total
• Serves as the primary point of contact in the combat area for Training Command, Chief Instructors, Instructors, Observers, and the wider unit
• Ensures adequate training and practices are conducted through the training team
• Appoints and removes Training Instructors and Observers as needed, based on advice from Chief Instructors and in collaboration with Training Command
• Collaborates with Policy staff to implement changes and distribute them upon publication by Unit Command
• Holds the second highest weighted opinion among the roles involved
• Actively participates in training, application, and observation of combat area skills
• Accountable to Training Command and appointed at their discretion

• Designated member of the unit serving as a subject matter expert in a specific combat area
• Minimum of 1 and maximum of 2 may be assigned to any combat area
• Acts as a senior advisor to unit command, providing guidance on potential changes and advising on ongoing discussions
• Active participant in training, application, and observation of combat area skills
• Holds the highest weighted opinion among all other roles
• Accountable to both the Staff Instructor and Training Command
• Appointment made at the discretion of Training Command

The 'Training Team' is a specialised group within the unit responsible for overseeing and managing the evaluation and improvement of a specific combat area. Comprising appointed individuals including Chief Instructors, Staff Instructors, Training Instructors, and Observers, the team operates under the guidance of Training Command. Each member has distinct roles and responsibilities, ranging from providing subject matter expertise to facilitating training sessions and assessing skill levels. Together, they ensure that training standards are met, skills are effectively taught and practiced, and feedback is provided to enhance individual and unit proficiency in specific combat areas.

• Unit member appointed as a Training Instructor in a specific combat area, having transitioned from the role of Observer
• Recognized by the training team as a well-rounded individual capable of effectively teaching relevant combat area skills in group settings
• Possesses a solid understanding of the combat area skills
• Holds the third highest weighted opinion among the roles involved
• Limited to a maximum of 6 Training Instructors per combat area
• Actively engages in training, application, and observation of combat area skills
• Accountable to both the Staff Instructor and Chief Instructors

• A member of the unit who is appointed as an Observer in a specific combat area, who in the eyes of the training team is trusted to assess others in a non-teaching capacity in the combat areas skills.
• Typically a starting role on route to Training Instructor.
• Holds the lowest weighted opinion.
• Maximum of 8 per combat area
• Active in the training, application and observation of combat area skills.
• Accountable to the Training Instructors and Chief Instructors.

Your role access is determined by your skills, experience with those skills, and the specific roles that utilize them. With over 100 roles in UNITAF, creating detailed skill breakdowns for every role is a substantial undertaking that cannot be completed overnight. 

Estimated Role Cards

To ensure the entire unit can transition to the new system immediately, some roles are tagged as **"Estimated"**. These roles use a transitional approach:

• Temporary skill blocks simulate role-specific experience
• Estimated access levels are calculated based on these placeholder blocks
• Similar to LTS functionality but with improved accuracy and fewer limitations

Current State: Estimated roles provide functional access levels that closely mirror the previous LTS system while addressing many of its shortcomings. As development progresses, estimated role cards will be upgraded to the full FTS3 standard with detailed, role-specific skill requirements.

Important Note: When roles transition from "Estimated" to "Verified" status, your access level may change (either increase or decrease) as the requirements become more precise and role-specific.

This approach allows UNITAF to:

• Maintain operations during the transition period
• Provide immediate access to the improved FTS3 system
• Ensure continuity while detailed role cards are developed
• Gradually improve role accuracy over time

The estimated system serves as a bridge, ensuring no disruption to unit operations while we build toward the comprehensive FTS3 vision.

This is a temporary skill block, the skill block is being used to accumulate SP for time spent as Fixed-wing Aircrew until it's role card is completed.

Rules of engagement (ROE) are directives that dictate how and when military forces can engage in combat. ROE outline conditions for using force, including target identification, self-defence, and proportionality. They are designed to ensure lawful and ethical conduct in military operations, and vary depending on the mission and environment. ROE always take precedence in operational decisions.

Identify targets as legitimate targets before engagement. This is crucial to prevent harm to civilians and ensure adherence to the principles of distinction and proportionality in combat.

Combatants: Individuals who are actively engaged in hostilities or are members of armed forces.

• Enemy soldiers in uniform not surrendering or wounded
• Armed militants
• Persons directly participating in hostilities
• A person posing an immediate threat (e.g., aiming a weapon) can be considered a combatant
• Parachuting active airborne infantry

Non-Combatants: Individuals who are not actively participating in hostilities. These are not legitimate targets.

• Civilians not taking direct part in hostilities
• Unarmed medical and religious personnel
• Wounded/surrendering soldiers who are not participating combat in any way, and prisoners of war
• Parachuting crew from a downed aircraft

Do not intentionally engage non-combatants as defined in FM/BS-349 - Identify legitimate targets

Do not cause damage to civilian infrastructure, unless necessary to archieve a military purpose. In general, preserving life should be prioritised over the avoidance of damage, but the destruction must be proportional to the purpose.

Examples:

• Acceptable situations:
  • Using explosives on a civilian house used as a military HQ
  • Dropping a bomb on an actively engaging enemy tank next to a house
• Unacceptable situations:
  • Cluster-bombing an enemy-held town
  • Destroying a house to take out a single shooter

Do not intentionally cause collateral damage to civilian infrastructure as defined in FM/BS-350 - Minimize collateral damage against civilian infrastructure

Vehicle identification is a useful skill for anyone on the battlefield, and a requirement for many of the more specialised roles. While some vehicles pose only a minimal threat, some can halt an entire platoon by themselves. As such accurate identification is crucial to good situational awareness, planning and tasking.

• Identifying a vehicle can be done at three levels of depth:
  • Vehicle class
  • Subclass within vehicle class
  • Specific vehicle model
• Not all vehicles within a class fall under a subclass.
• Vehicle identification covers only military vehicles. 
• Any other vehicle should be referred to by it's common name, e.g.
  • pickup 
  • truck
  • bicycle
  • jetski

• Auto-cannon: an automatic gun with a caliber between 20-60 mm
• Cannon: a gun bigger than an auto-cannon
• Direct fire: firing a weapon within the line-of-sight of the user of the weapon in a (relatively) flat trajectory
• Indirect fire: firing a weapon outside the line-of-sight of the user of the weapon

Rapidly identify a light vehicle as being:

• Wheeled
• Not armed with an autocannon or larger
• Not classified as an AFV

Those at higher proficiency are able to identify the subclasses as:

• Technical: civilian vehicle adapted for military use
• MRAP: mine resistant and protected against small arms
• Truck: military truck

Above: A column of US Army M1114 uparmored HMMWV (or Humvee)

Rapidly identify a AFV as being:

• Wheeled or tracked
• Armed with nothing to cannon, intended for direct fire
• Protected against at least small arms

Those at higher proficiency are able to identify the subclasses as:

• APC: armed with up to a heavy machine-gun
• IFV: armed with an autocannon
• Assault gun: armed with a cannon
• ATGM carrier: armed with ATGMs (anti-tank guided missile) as primary armament

Above: US Army M1126 Stryker AFV on patrol

Rapidly identify a tank as being:

• Tracked
• Turreted
• Protected against at least auto-cannon fire
• Having a cannon capable and intended for direct fire

There are no subclasses.

Above: A section of US Army M1A2 SEPv2 Tanks engaging enemy forces

Rapidly identify artillery as being:

• Towed, wheeled or tracked
• Having a cannon or rocket tubes intended for indirect fire

Those at higher proficiency are able to identify the subclasses as:

• Towed artillery: cannot move by itself
• Self propelled artillery: cannon/rocket tubes are mounted on a wheeled or tracked vehicle

Above: M119 Howitzer towed artillery unit in it's deployed configuration

Rapidly identify anti-air being:

• Primarily inteded for engaging helicopters or planes

Those at higher proficiency are able to identify the subclasses as:

• AAA (anti-air artillery): primary armament is one or more guns
• SAM: primary armament is surface-to-air missiles

Above: ZSU-23 Shilka Anti-Aircraft System

Rapidly identify a helicopter as being:

• Capable of powered flight
• Generating lift with one or more horizontally spinning fixed rotors

Those at higher proficiency are able to identify the subclasses as:

• Utility helicopter: armament is only intended for self defense (e.g. a door gun)
• Attack helicopter: armament is intended for offensive use (e.g. rocket pods)

Above: US Army AH-64D Apache Gunship

Rapidly identify tiltrotor aircraft as being:

• Capable of powered flight
• Generating lift with one or more horizontally spinning rotors capable of rotating in flight

There are no subclasses.

Rapidly identify a plane as being:

• Capable of powered flight
• Generating lift with wings

Those at higher proficiency are able to identify the subclasses as:

• Cargo plane: military plane used to ferry cargo or passengers
• Attack plane: slower flying aircraft intended for ground attack
• Fighter plane: fast flying aircraft intended to fight other planes

Above: US Air Force A-10A Warthog releasing a GBU-48 Enhanced Paveway II

Effective at short range against slow, low helicopters. Watch for back blast and smoke trails. Immediately deploy flares and break turn perpendicular to the launch site. Stop flaring once confirmed as an unguided rocket.

These weapons have high accuracy and heavy rounds that cause significant damage. Look for large tracers, muzzle flashes, and stable fire from vehicles or emplacements. Use break turns, jinking, and altitude changes to evade.

Small arms can penetrate unarmoured cockpits at close range but are less effective beyond 500 meters. Indicators include muzzle flashes, tracers, and sounds of hits. React by performing break turns, jinking, and changing altitude to use terrain for cover.

Long-range, guided missiles are deadly and hard to evade. Look for smoke trails and launch warnings. Deploy flares and chaff, fly perpendicular to the missile, and use terrain to mask until out of danger.

The main thing to remember is that the grids must be read right, and then up. Due to the fact that the map grid is composed entirely of numbers, it's important that you do not transpose them, else you're likely to send someone far, far away from where you needed them to go.

Above: Read the x (horizontal) axis first, then read the y (vertical) axis

• State the proword “GRID”
• Read the first three digits representing west to east (X Axis)
• Pause briefly
• Read the next three digits representing south to north (Y Axis)

• State the proword “GRID”
• Read the first four digits representing west to east (X Axis)
• Pause briefly
• Read the next four digits representing south to north (Y Axis)

Recognise points of elevation and hill numbers:

• 2 or 3-digit numbers on the tops of hills are known as hill numbers and should be referenced as ‘Hill xxx’
• The zoom scale of the map affects whether some of these numbers are visible (specifically the smaller/minor hills).
• In mountainous or hilly terrain there may be multiple hills with the same number. In these circumstances, provide additional context, such as a grid reference to ensure clarity of communication.

Read contour lines using the 2 types contour intervals marked on map:

• Thinner brown lines representing the places of same height at the minor interval (listed in the map legend)
• Thicker brown or red lines representing places of same height at the major interval level (5 times the minor interval)

Recognize the gradient (steepness) of the terrain, based on the spread of the contour lines (the closer contour lines are, the steeper the terrain)

Effective aircrew limit risk by applying tactical movement and minimizing exposure. Terrain masking, speed, and irregular flight paths reduce vulnerability. Avoid flying directly toward or away from enemy infantry to complicate their aim.

Altitude is key when facing gun-based anti-air. Flying higher makes it harder for gunners to lead shots, especially when combined with speed and unpredictable flight paths.

Against infrared-guided threats, flare/chaff deployment before and after an attack run disrupts missile lock. Expect rear-aspect engagements post-run, and dispense flares to confuse in-flight missiles. For radar-guided threats, deploy chaff when locked up or upon missile launch.

Flares target infrared-guided missiles by presenting false heat sources, either preventing lock-on or diverting launched missiles. Chaff confuses radar-guided threats by reflecting radar signals and creating false targets. In Arma 3, flares and chaff may deploy together unless modified systems allow separate use.

• Jinking: The act of making sharp, sudden, and unpredictable evasive manoeuvres. Jinking makes it difficult to track and lead an aerial target. It is most effective against unguided weapons such as machineguns, cannons, rockets, etc.   
• Break Turn: A sudden, sharp turn typically of 90 degrees or more. This is often used to attempt to evade a rocket or missile system, or when a heavy machinegun or anti-aircraft artillery piece has engaged the aircraft.   
• Emergency Climb/Dive: The aircraft gains or loses altitude rapidly in an attempt to evade a threat.  
• Defensive Roll: The aircraft rolls so that the bottom of it is between the threat weapon (typically machineguns) and the crew. A roll is usually accompanied by pulling the aircraft in the rolled direction, resulting in the aircraft pulling away from the threat.

All crew members must continuously share threat intelligence, friendly positions, and ammunition status. Critical threats such as missile launches or tracers must be reported immediately to prevent loss of aircraft or crew.

Pilots must communicate planned or ongoing maneuvers, especially when turreted systems are in use, allowing gunners to compensate for movement. They must also monitor and share updates on fuel levels and the aircraft’s airworthiness following any damage to ensure coordinated decisions on engagement and return-to-base timing.

Gunners must communicate weapon employment activities and targeting status so the pilot can adjust aircraft behaviour. If specific attack vectors or flight stability are required for effective weapon use, the gunner must clearly communicate these to the pilot.

Brevity words are essential for clear, fast, and unambiguous communication between aircrew during dynamic combat situations.

• Steady: Request to hold current heading to provide a stable firing platform.
• Rotate (left/right): Instruction to turn aircraft for optimal weapon employment.
• Popping up / Pop up: Aircraft is rising to clear an obstruction or take a shot.
• Dropping down / Drop down: Aircraft is descending behind cover, typically after engagement.
• Firing / Engaging: Gunner is actively firing weapons.
• Launched / Missile away: Gunner has launched a missile; aircraft may manoeuvre freely.
• Running in: Aircraft is beginning an attack run on a known target.
• Breaking (left/right/etc.): Aircraft is making a sharp turn in the indicated direction.

Quick threat callouts enable timely countermeasures and coordinated evasive action. 

• Missile, missile: Suspected or confirmed missile launch; triggers missile evasion protocol.
• Taking SAF: Aircraft is under small arms fire; evasive manoeuvres may be needed. Often shortened to “SAF, SAF.”
• Taking heavy: Aircraft is under heavy weapon fire such as vehicle-mounted guns. Often shortened to "Heavy, heavy."

Effective target and friendly identification depends on consistent use of contact brevity terms.

• Visual: Friendly forces have been sighted.
• Blind: Friendly forces cannot be seen.
• Tally: Hostile forces have been spotted.
• No joy: Hostile forces not seen.
• Tracers (direction): Enemy tracer fire seen, direction specified.
• Flashes (direction): Muzzle flashes spotted, direction specified.

Status terms inform the crew and controllers of critical conditions requiring resupply or immediate action.

• Winchester: Out of ammunition; unable to continue attack.
• Bingo: Low fuel; must return to base to avoid forced landing.

• Rhythm: Use short sentences divided into sensible phrases which maintain a natural rhythm, they should not be spoken word by word.
• Speed: Speak slightly slower than normal conversation. Speed is easily adjusted by increasing or decreasing the length of pauses between phrases, as opposed to altering the length of pauses between words as this will create an unnatural, halted style of speech which is difficult to understand.
• Volume: Volume should be as for normal conversation. There is no need to shout, the sensitivity of the microphone will clearly communicate your voice, even in a noisy environment.
• Pitch: The voice should be the natural pitch of your voice to maintain clarity.

During any operation that requires it, you'll be provided with an AN/PRC-152. It is the short range radio used by all elements. The main frequency is the channel (C1, C2,…) that is currently selected on the radio.

To set up your main frequency:

1. Check with your leader or in the ORBAT what frequency you should be on
2. Hover with your mouse on your current frequency (2) and type the desired frequency; eg. 271
3. Click the ENT (4) button to enter (save) the frequency
4. Check in with your team to see if the radio is working properly

Using the AN/PRC-152 you can also set up an additional frequency to communicate with other elements that aren't your own. The additional frequency is set manually and will show as “A#” in place of the channel name e.g. If channel 2 is selected as the alternate frequency, it will become A2.

To set up an additional frequency:

1. Click the + button (5) to select the desired channel.
2. Click the left arrow button (8) to set an additional channel. 
   1. At this point you should read A# (# being the channel number) instead of C#, next to the frequency number.
3. Type the wanted frequency you want to use as additional; eg. 270
4. Click the ENT (4) button to enter the frequency
5. Click the - button (6) to return to your main frequency

If you want to dictate which ear you want the audio for your main and alternate channels to come out from, select the frequency you want to adjust and click the 0(9) button to modify the stereo settings. On the bottom right of the screen, you'll see an indicator that says either "left", "right" or "left and right". Ensure you do this for both your main and alternate channels on any radios you're using.

Now you should be able to hear both frequencies in different ears.

Above: The BLUFOR issued AN/PRC-152 and its buttons explained.

A radio is a specialized communication device designed for use by armed forces to facilitate secure and reliable communication on the battlefield and during military operations.

The primary purpose of a radio is to enable effective coordination and command among elements, allowing for the swift transmission of orders, intelligence, and situational updates. This real-time communication capability is crucial for coordinating maneuvers, calling for support, reporting enemy positions, and ensuring overall operational efficiency and safety of personnel during operations.

When pronouncing individual letters over a radio channel, replace the letter with the corresponding word from the following table:

When pronouncing individual numerals over a radio channel, pronounce the numeral according to the following table:

Flaps Use

• Deploy flaps at low speeds to improve lift and stability. This is especially effective during gun or rocket runs in low-threat airspace.

Navigation Techniques

• When visibility is limited, follow road networks at low altitude to align yourself with target towns.
• In good visibility, flying inverted at altitude provides terrain awareness before a dive.

Ordnance Delivery Tips

• Never rush a drop. If target alignment is not clear, abort and re-attack.
• Attack parallel to friendly lines to avoid overshooting or undershooting into friendlies.
• Dive attacks improve accuracy for both dumb and guided munitions. Alternatively, use pop-up attacks: fly low, then climb before diving on the target.

Laser Guidance Adaptation

• Even without laser-guided munitions, use laser marks to align gun runs. Lock onto the laser as if it were guiding a bomb, then switch to guns and fire once aligned.

Cannons vary in effectiveness by platform:

• 20mm: Effective against light armour and infantry.
• 25mm: Limited by speed and accuracy demands; best used against light targets.
• 30mm: Extremely powerful; effective against vehicles and armour.

Smart bombs track laser targets and offer exceptional accuracy and destructive power. Effective CAS requires strong FAC coordination to ensure the correct target is lased and attack runs are safely aligned.

Unguided bombs range from 500 to 2000 pounds and deal massive damage if placed accurately. Effective in urban areas against vehicles, buildings, and infantry.

ATGMs and AGMs are fire-and-forget weapons designed for armoured targets.

DAGR rockets are lock-on guided munitions with limited manoeuvrability. Best used against stationary or slow-moving targets due to a narrow launch cone and reduced course correction.

FFARs are unguided rockets with moderate blast radius and high precision. They are effective against infantry, vehicles, and light armour. Fire in small bursts or large salvos depending on target density.

Command is the authority to decide and prioritise.
Control is the regulation and direction of forces to implement decisions.

Command

• Establishes intent.
• Allocates resources.
• Sets priorities.

Control

• Issues instructions.
• Synchronises timing.
• Adjusts actions during execution.

Effective leaders command centrally and control selectively to preserve initiative.

Accept responsibility for decisions and outcomes within the element:

• Address errors immediately through constructive feedback and corrections, not public blame.
• Capture faults, causes, and responsibility during AARs for formal follow-up if required.

Maintain control of of the element:

• Issue clear tasks aligned with intent to all subordinate elements.
• Monitor execution and intervene when elements drift off task.
• Maintain continuous two-way information flow up and down the chain.
• Synchronise subordinate actions to prevent isolation or conflict.
• Re-task or re-prioritise elements as the situation changes.

• Maintain calm posture, tone, and decision-making under stress.
• Issue clear, deliberate orders during friction or failure.
• Suppress visible frustration, panic, or emotional reactions.
• Take appropriate measures to stabilise the element during unexpected events.

Commander’s Intent defines the purpose of an operation, the desired end state, and the key effects required to achieve mission success. It provides direction without prescribing detailed execution, enabling subordinate leaders to act independently while remaining aligned with higher objectives.

Commander’s Intent exists at every level of command:

• Fireteam level: intent clarifies the immediate objective and priority of effort (e.g. suppress, secure, clear, hold). It ensures members understand what must be achieved if communication is lost or conditions change.
• Squad level: intent describes the squad’s role within the platoon plan, the decisive action required, and the conditions that define success. It guides manoeuvre, tempo, and risk decisions.
• Platoon level: intent establishes how squads combine to achieve a broader tactical effect. It identifies the main effort, supporting efforts, and the operational end state.
• Company level: intent defines the overall tactical objective, desired battlefield conditions, and acceptable risk. It shapes subordinate planning and ensures unity of effort across multiple platoons.

Commander’s Intent allows initiative within boundaries. When plans break down, leaders act in accordance with intent rather than waiting for orders. Clear intent preserves momentum, cohesion, and operational effectiveness at every level.

Keep your direct subordinates informed with all the needed information for them to function:

• Updates on the tactical situation
• Current tasking and intent

Ensure you give enough information so that another person can take over leadership without needing additional information.

When preparing for a mission, take care of the following:

• Bring the correct equipment, in the right quantities
• Set standard formations, plans for movement and other actions-on
• Ensure succession of command is clear

Make decisive decisions:

• Make a clear decision in a timely manner in line with the commander's intent, even when information is incomplete.
• Communicate the decision clearly to the element.
• Commit to the decision and direct execution without hesitation.
• Avoid repeatedly changing decisions unless the situation has materially changed.
• Maintain confidence and composure to reinforce cohesion and trust within the element.

Evaluate the element’s combat effectiveness, resources, and condition before and during task execution:

• Recognise when assigned tasks exceed current capability or risk becoming unachievable.
• Identify indicators that continued action will result in unnecessary losses or mission failure.
• Decide to pause, withdraw, or disengage when risk outweighs potential gain.
• Communicate limitations and recommended actions clearly up the chain of command.
• Preserve personnel and equipment to enable future tasking and continued operations.

Dominating the battlefield is the ability to control the tempo, positioning, and flow of combat to achieve objectives while limiting enemy freedom of action.

Key methods of achieving dominance:

• Control key terrain: High ground, choke points, avenues of approach.
• Maintain initiative: Force the enemy to react.
• Coordinate forces: Synchronize squads, fire teams, and support.
• Situational awareness: Monitor the battlefield to make informed decisions.

Why It’s Important:

• Reduces risk to friendly forces.
• Limits enemy options and predictability.
• Maintains operational tempo.
• Maximizes combat effectiveness.
• Increases likelihood of mission success.

Follow the CLAP mnemonic to use with every order:

• Clear: issue direct, concise and actionable tasks.
• Loud: ensure you are heard over chatter, comms and combat.
• As an order: assert what you are saying is an order, and not something else like a question.
• with Pauses: Break up the order in to short phrases separated by short pauses to allow the receiver to process the content.

When issuing an order, use the following format:

• Who: who is expected to execute the order
• What: the thing that needs to be done
• When: when to start the execution

When given an order, confirm the order and make a plan and act to implement the intent of the order. When unable to act, make this clear to avoid misunderstandings or timing issues.

When disagreeing with a given order: 

• Communicate your objection
• State the reason and 
• If possible suggest an alternative. 

If despite the disagreement the order is confirmed, execute it to the best of your ability without complaint or argument.

Be mindful to not disagree with every order, keeping in mind that there might be reasons not yet apparent why the order is given.

Wherever possible, delegate tasks to subordinate elements. Trust people to do the task they are assigned, and give them the needed freedom to do so without interfering.

In other words, tell people what you want, not how to do it.

• Moderate and arbitrate the discourse between subordinate elements. In stressful environments, tensions can occasionally rise high, so it is important to nip conflict or negative sentiment in the bud before it infects the entire team.
• Ensure everyone feels like a valued and included part of the team
• Prevent the team from sliding into an overly casual atmosphere, where nobody is taking anything serious anymore. There is a time for laughter, and a time for focus.

• Use operational situations as teaching opportunities when time permits.
• Explain the reasoning behind decisions and actions.
• Guide individuals to arrive at conclusions rather than simply issuing correction.
• Issue immediate corrective commands when required by tempo or risk.
• Conduct follow-up explanation during AAR if correction was time-critical.
• Maintain professional tone; avoid belittling or ego-driven instruction.

• Maintain positive control of the aircraft before addressing navigation or communication tasks
• Maintain awareness of aircraft position, route, terrain, and hazards before conducting non-essential communications
• Avoid becoming task-saturated by radio traffic to the detriment of aircraft control
• Prioritise aircraft control and navigation during emergencies, combat engagements, or unexpected events
• Apply correct task prioritisation across all phases of flight in accordance with Aviate, Navigate, Communicate principles

• Avoid unnecessary endangerment of friendly personnel during mission execution
• Take appropriate action to prevent avoidable aircraft loss or damage
• Demonstrate willingness to abort, divert, or modify missions when safety considerations outweigh mission requirements
• Prioritise preservation of personnel and aircraft when making operational decisions

When workload increases or multiple tasks compete for attention, apply the following priorities in order:

1. Aviate

Maintain positive control of the aircraft and continue to fly safely. Aircraft control takes priority over all other tasks.

2. Navigate

Maintain awareness of position, route, terrain, and surrounding airspace to safely reach the intended destination.

3. Communicate

Communicate with JTACs, FACs, air traffic control, or other agencies once aircraft control and navigation are assured.

This prioritisation helps prevent aircrew from becoming distracted by communications or mission tasks at the expense of safely operating the aircraft. In situations where priorities conflict, aircraft control should always take precedence.

When in control of an aircraft, apply the following priorities in order:

1. Preservation of Life

Protect the lives of aircrew, passengers, and friendly personnel above all other considerations.

2. Preservation of Aircraft

Operate the aircraft responsibly to prevent unnecessary damage or loss whenever possible.

3. Mission Success

Complete the assigned mission once the safety of personnel and aircraft has been reasonably assured.

These priorities provide a framework for decision-making when mission requirements, aircraft safety, and personnel safety compete. When forced to choose between priorities, higher priorities should take precedence over lower priorities.

Aircrew in UNITAF occupy a specialised role that requires a different perspective from most other combat positions. Understanding the purpose of aviation assets within the wider mission can help aircrew contribute more effectively to mission success.

Ground forces remain the primary focus of most operations. Arma is fundamentally designed around ground combat, and missions are generally planned with infantry and ground manoeuvre as the central element. As a result, there may be periods where aviation assets have limited tasks or where aircrew must adapt their employment to support the needs of the ground force. Flexibility and patience are important qualities for aviation personnel.

Aircraft possess capabilities that can significantly influence the outcome of an operation. Transport aircraft can rapidly move forces across the battlefield, while attack and reconnaissance platforms may provide firepower or situational awareness far beyond what is available to ground units. These capabilities make aviation assets valuable force multipliers.

However, these advantages come with corresponding responsibilities. Mistakes in aviation can have consequences that affect large portions of the force. The loss of a transport aircraft may delay an operation or result in significant casualties. Similarly, the firepower available to some aircraft can cause substantial friendly losses if employed incorrectly. Effective aircrew therefore balance initiative with discipline, ensuring their actions support the wider mission rather than dominate it.

Aircrew should also be aware of the technical limitations of the Arma engine. The simulation cannot fully represent the distances, sensor capabilities, object density, and air defence networks that would exist in real-world aviation operations. Pilots may observe mission support activities, notice areas where enemy forces have not been spawned, or encounter gaps in air defence coverage that exist for gameplay and performance reasons rather than tactical realism.

In these situations, it is beneficial to consider what would realistically be expected in the operational environment rather than exploiting engine limitations for advantage. Maintaining this mindset helps preserve immersion, supports fair gameplay, and contributes to a more authentic experience for all participants.

Aircrew operate under ground control restrictions at all times. Outside the area of operations (AO), pilots report to an Air Traffic Controller (ATC). Inside the AO, control is passed to a Forward Air Controller (FAC). An exception is when performing Combat Air Patrol (CAP) duties, where control is maintained by an ATC or Air Battle Manager (ABM).

Pilots must maintain continuous communication with their assigned controller, providing regular updates on status and capabilities. Controllers will relay updates on ground and air situations and coordinate target assignments.

Key communication practices include:

• Checking in with your controller upon handoff and reporting any status changes.
• Receiving situation updates after check-in and when conditions evolve.
• Accepting target designations and guidance during attack phases.
• Obtaining clearance before engaging targets.
• Receiving Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) feedback and mission clearance when tasks are complete.

If you identify a target outside of your controller’s sight, inform them immediately. Do not engage any targets without explicit clearance, regardless of perceived threat level or risk to friendly forces.

Takeoff from a runway using the following method:

1. Line up along the centre line of the runway
2. Lower the flaps to the halfway position; if the aircraft has capability.
3. Smoothly throttle up to 100%
4. After reaching the aircraft specific rotation speed, smoothly pull the nose up to achieve 10 degrees of climb.
5. Retract the landing gear after achieving a positive rate of climb.
6. Retract the flaps.

• Maintain assigned holding altitude within ±50 meters.
• Apply smooth, minimal control inputs to prevent oscillation or overcorrection.
• Anticipate aircraft pitch and power changes to stabilize climb/descent trends early.
• Utilize onboard Altitude Hold systems when available to maintain consistent altitude.
• Continuously cross-check altitude instruments while in holding patterns.

• Maintain assigned heading within ±2 degrees during CAS runs, cargo drops, and paradrop operations.
• Establish heading prior to run-in and minimize lateral corrections once stabilized.
• Use available heading references (DUI, MFD, or compass display) to confirm alignment.
• Apply smooth roll inputs to prevent overcorrection and heading oscillation.
• Utilize onboard Heading Hold systems when available to maintain directional stability.

• Climb or descend to assigned orbit altitude prior to entering orbit pattern.
• Navigate to the assigned focal point and establish the required orbit radius.
• Maintain assigned orbit direction (clockwise or counterclockwise) without reversing unless directed.
• Apply small, smooth control inputs to preserve stable turn rate and altitude.
• Continuously monitor altitude, radius distance, and ground reference point during orbit.
• Anticipate aircraft drift and correct early rather than applying large corrections.

Land on a runway using the following method:

1. Visually align with the runway centerline when possible.
2. Reduce throttle and use air brakes to reach approach speed while remaining above stall speed.
3. Lower flaps fully and extend landing gear prior to final approach.
4. When crossing the runway threshold, reduce throttle to 0% and slightly raise the nose to reduce descent rate.
5. Slowly lower the nose to allow the nose wheel to make contact with the runway.
6. Apply wheel brakes and air brakes to slow the aircraft (if available).
7. Maintain runway alignment while decelerating to taxi speed.
8. Follow Air Traffic Control instructions and exit the runway using the directed taxiway.

• Position cargo close to the aircraft loading point, typically the rear cargo access area.
• Load cargo using one of the available interaction methods:
• Use the cargo interaction menu to select Load and then select the aircraft as the target.
  • Use the interaction scroll menu on the aircraft, select cargo, then select Load/Unload as required.
• For unloading cargo:
  • Interact with the aircraft, select the cargo inventory, then select Deploy/Unload.

Paradrop troops/cargo using the following method:

1. Identify and confirm the designated LZ prior to approach.
2. Calculate drop alignment point above the LZ, accounting for wind strength and direction. Flying into the wind is preferred to improve drop accuracy.
3. Establish level flight at low, stable airspeed during approach to the drop point.
4. Perform the drop
   1. For cargo drops: initiate drop sequence approximately 7 seconds before reaching the drop point using the cargo interaction menu
   2. For troop drops: announce drop status over comms:
      1. Communicate “RED LIGHT” to the Jump Master 20 seconds before reaching the LZ.
      2. Communicate  “GREEN LIGHT” to the Jump Master 10 seconds before reaching the LZ.
5. Maintain steady flight path through drop execution.
6. After release, immediately egress from the drop zone and resume mission flight profile.

• Coordinate laser codes and timing prior to attack execution
• Maintain continuous communication with designating aircraft or ground elements
• Confirm target designation prior to weapons release
• Monitor weapon guidance throughout the attack sequence
• Execute coordinated egress following weapons employment

• Maintain continuous terrain awareness during ingress and egress
• Utilize terrain features to reduce line-of-sight exposure to threats
• Maintain safe obstacle and terrain clearance at all times
• Transition from masked ingress to attack profile in a controlled manner
• Execute egress while minimising threat exposure

• Acquire and confirm positive target identification prior to release
• Maintain effective sensor or targeting pod management
• Release guided munition within approved weapon parameters
• Maintain target designation or tracking as required
• Maintain stand-off positioning during employment
• Execute controlled egress following weapons release

• Conduct low-altitude ingress while maintaining terrain clearance
• Initiate pop-up manoeuvre at the planned reference point
• Acquire and engage targets during the climb or attack phase
• Maintain controlled aircraft parameters throughout the manoeuvre
• Execute rapid egress following weapons employment

• Maintain stable altitude, heading, and airspeed during the attack run
• Establish correct release parameters prior to weapons employment
• Release ordnance within the planned delivery window
• Maintain aircraft control throughout attack and egress
• Execute safe departure from the target area following release

• Align aircraft accurately with the target area during the attack run
• Maintain controlled closure rate and adhere to the firing window
• Manage exposure to avoid oversaturation of the target area
• Execute controlled pull-off and disengagement after weapons release
• Maintain awareness of friendly positions throughout the attack

• Establish correct dive angle for the selected attack profile
• Maintain stable attack parameters throughout the dive
• Release weapons within the planned release window
• Execute controlled pull-out above minimum recovery altitude
• Maintain orientation and situational awareness during recovery

• Employ weapons only from stable attack profiles
• Confirm positive target identification prior to weapons release
• Maintain stable aircraft parameters throughout delivery
• Comply with rules of engagement, attack restrictions, and clearance requirements
• Maintain aircraft control during all phases of weapons employment
• Abort attack when conditions become unsafe or non-compliant

All aircrew shall ensure that all targets are positively identified prior to any weapons employment.

Engagement without positive target identification is prohibited. Positive identification is required to prevent fratricide (blue-on-blue) and unnecessary collateral damage.

• Confirm target identity using visual, sensor, or controller-provided references
• Correlate target location with briefing data
• Distinguish target from friendly forces and non-combatants within the engagement area
• Maintain continuous target tracking through the final attack phase
• Abort engagement if positive identification cannot be maintained

Any participant in a Close Air Support (CAS) engagement has the authority and responsibility to issue an abort call if unsafe conditions are observed.

Abort authority exists to ensure safety, prevent fratricide, and maintain control of the engagement environment. It may be exercised by any involved party when required conditions for a safe engagement are no longer met.

• Immediately discontinue attack run upon receiving an abort call or identifying unsafe conditions
• Acknowledge abort instruction clearly and concisely
• Maintain aircraft control and safe separation from the target area
• Transition to holding or egress profile as directed
• Do not re-engage without explicit re-clearance

• Cease attack operations immediately upon loss of communications
• Transition to pre-briefed lost communications plan or safe egress route
• Avoid weapons release without positive re-establishment of control and clearance
• Attempt to re-establish communications using alternate methods or frequencies
• Report aircraft status upon regaining communications

• Observe the target area after weapons impact when safe to do so
• Report effects using standardized BDA terminology (e.g., hit, mobility kill, destroyed)
• Provide accurate location and timing of observed effects
• Distinguish confirmed effects from estimated or unconfirmed observations
• Maintain concise and structured reporting format

Close Air Support (CAS) communications should follow prioritisation principles to ensure safety-critical information is transmitted without delay.

• Prioritise abort calls and safety-critical messages above all other transmissions
• Interrupt or delay non-essential communication when required for safety
• Maintain clarity during high-tempo communication environments
• Recognise and appropriately escalate urgent CAS updates
• Avoid unnecessary radio congestion during critical attack phases