FM/C78 - Vehicles - Fixed-wing aircraft

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The FM outlines our core skills, policies and guides to ensure every member stands ready for the mission ahead.

• 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.

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.

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.

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).

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