STANDARD PROCEDURES & CALLS

I. Introduction

Communication between the crewmembers is essential for good aircrew teamwork;

thus, positive communication procedures will be used for essential crew coordination actions.
Crewmembers should be constantly aware of the potential for misunderstanding and make
positive communication a habit in the cockpit. One of the characteristics of positive
communication is the use of a limited vocabulary consisting of explicit terms and phrases,
which improve intelligibility in a high ambient noise environment. It is in line with this principle
that standard cockpit terminologies are adopted to complement outlined crewmember actions
and duties inside the cockpit.

Definition of Terms

FP – Flying Pilot or Pilot on the Controls

NFP – Non-Flying Pilot or Pilot not on the Controls
L/R DOOR – Left/Right Scanner

NOTE: The primary scanner is the scanner behind the Flying Pilot.

Procedures

Before Hovering, Takeoff or Landing

1. Before the FP brings the aircraft from the ground to a hover, from the ground to a
takeoff or from cruise flight to a landing, he will insure that the NFP completes the pre-takeoff
or pre-landing checklist.
2. The FP will brief the crew on the type of takeoff he will perform and whether it will be
from the ground or from a hover; the hover height, if applicable; and, the takeoff target torque.
If coming for landing, the type of approach and termination, whether to the ground or to a
hover, the hover height included; the spot of landing; and, the target torque for landing.
3. The FP will make the appropriate radio call to the traffic controller or the other
aircraft in formation, whichever is applicable.

Changing of Controls

A 3-way positive change of control is adopted. It emphasizes the words “controls” and
the crew position of the pilot who will take the controls of the aircraft. The sequence is as
follows:

(FP is the Pilot on the right seat and he initiates the transfer of controls.)
FP – Co-pilot has the controls.
NFP – (Takes controls of the cyclic, collective and pedals.)
- Co-pilot has the controls.
FP – Co-pilot has the controls.
- (Releases controls of the cyclic, collective and pedals, and, taps the Co-pilot
on the shoulders to complete the transfer of controls.)

(FP is the Pilot on the right seat but the Co-pilot on the left seat initiates the transfer of
controls.)
NFP – (Takes controls of the cyclic, collective and pedals.)
- Co-pilot has the controls.
FP – Co-pilot has the controls.
NFP – Co-pilot has the controls.

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 FP - (Releases controls of the cyclic, collective and pedals, and, taps the Co-pilot on the
shoulders to complete the transfer of controls.)

Activation/Deactivation of Anti-collision Light

1. During the takeoff roll, the NFP will call out the airspeed and VVI reading to insure
that the aircraft has transitioned to forward flight. He then activates the anti-collision light, if
applicable.
2. During the start of the landing approach, upon declaration of the FP, the NFP
deactivates the anti-collision light before starting the cadence.

Hazard Identification

1. Scanners will point out hazards and obstacles by identifying the type of hazard or
obstacle, the clock position, the distance and the location with respect to the horizon.
2. The FP will acknowledge that he has the obstacle or hazard in sight by repeating the
description followed the phrase, “in sight”. If he does not have visual contact of the hazard, he
will declare, “searching”.

L/R DOOR – Tower, 2 o’clock, ½ mile, low.

FP – Roger. Tower, 2 o’clock, ½ mile, low, in sight. Or, Tower, 2 o’clock, ½ mile, low,
searching.

Primary & Secondary Scanner Calls

1. The primary scanner will clear the area to his side, as instructed by the FP, by
saying the area he has cleared and his position.
2. The secondary scanner will say only his position if he concurs with the call of the
primary scanner for his side of the aircraft.

(Primary Scanner is the right scanner)

FP – Coming up.
R DOOR – Clear up, right.
L DOOR – Left.

FP – On my approach.
NFP – 300 feet, 60 knots.
R DOOR – Clear down, right.
L DOOR – Left.

Calls

Ground to Hover

FP – Coming up (3/5 Ft).

L/R Door – Clear up L/R.
- (Count down up to the desired hover altitude.)
- Stop up and hold.
NFP – (Calls out hover power torque.)

Hovering & Taxiing Turns

FP – Turning L/R, tail (is) coming R/L.

L/R Door – Tail (is) clear, R/L.
- Nose (is) clear, L/R.
- Stop turn and hold.

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 NOTE: The primary scanner is the scanner on the side where the tail swings
towards.

Sideward Flight (L/R)

FP – Sliding L/R (5,10).

L/R Door - Clear (to) slide, L/R (5, 10).
- (Countdown up to the desired distance.)
- Stop slide and hold.

NOTE: The primary scanner is the scanner on the side where the aircraft slides
towards.

Forward Taxi

FP – Coming forward.
L/R Door – Clear forward, L/R.
R/L Door – Right or Left.

Rearward Taxi

FP – Coming back (5, 10, 15).

L/R Door – Clear back, L/R (5, 10, 15).
R/L Door – Right or Left.
L/R Door - (Countdown up to the desired distance.)
- Stop back and hold.

Hover to Touchdown

FP – Clear to land?
L/R Door – Tail is clear. Clear to land.
R/L Door – Right or Left.
FP – Coming down.
L/R Door – Clear down, L/R.
R/L Door – Right of Left.
L/R Door - (Countdown until skids touches the ground.)
- Skid (is) on (the ground) L/R.
R/L Door – Skid (is) on (the ground) R/L.

Max Perf Takeoff (direct from the ground)

FP – Taking off or coming up.

L/R Door – Clear up, L/R.
NFP – (Calls out torque.)
FP – (When clear of obstacles) Coming forward.
L/R Door – Clear forward, L/R.
NFP – (Calls out A/S, check positive climb. Activates anti-collision light, if applicable.)

Normal Takeoff (from a hover)

(After aircraft has been brought to a hover.)

FP – Coming Forward.
L/R Doors – Clear forward, L/R.
NFP – (Calls out A/S, check positive climb. Activates anti-collision light, if applicable.)

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Climbs

FP - Coming up (to 1000 feet).

L/R Door – Clear up, L/R.
- (Clear and identify obstacles, hazards.)
FP/NFP – On sight (if any).

Descents

FP – Coming down.
L/R Door - Clear down, L/R.

Crew Briefing

FP – (Briefs the entire crew about his plan/intention for takeoff or landing).
NFP – Pilot/Co-pilot copy.
L/R Door – L/R copy.

Turns (while on cruise)

FP – Turning L/R.
L/R Door - Clear (to) turn, L/R.

Approach to Landing (calls on cadence)

FP – On my approach.
NFP – (Deactivates anti-collision light, if applicable; calls out A/S, altitude, torque and
check sink rate.)
- 300 feet, 60 knots. (VVI – 300)
L/R Door – Clear down, L/R.
- (Scan and check for obstacles, hazards on the approach path.)
- (Identify and announce obstacles and hazards.)
- (Announce when about to cross hazards, obstacles.)
- (Announce when cleared of obstacles, hazards.)

(if a/c flies toward obstacles, hazards during the approach)

L/R Doors – Stop down, continue forward, L/R.

- (If approach is unsafe, declare go around.)

(when cleared of obstacles, hazards)

L/R Door - Tail is clear, clear down, L/R.

NFP – 200 feet, 45 knots. (VVI – 300)
L/R Door – Clear down, L/R.

(when at an appropriate altitude for transfer of altitude calls)

NFP- 75 or 50 feet doors. (a transfer of altitude call maybe initiated from any
appropriate altitude as the NFP may deem he cannot give reliable estimates
of aircraft altitude.)
L/R Door – Clear down 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
- Stop and hold. (if approach terminates to a hover.
NFP – (Calls out torque after each altitude call of the scanners.)

II. References
1. TC 1-211 Army Aircrew Training Manual, 9 December 1992.
2. Lectures, NVG Qualification Training, 6TH SOS.