RDL Homepage

Table of Contents

Document Information

---

CHAPTER 2

TERMS AND POLICIES

The ATP has added many terms to the aviation vocabulary. Users of this publication must be familiar with these terms. For that reason, the terms are explained in this chapter rather than in the glossary. Policy is included for further clarification.

The ATP consists of qualification, refresher, mission, and continuation training. The goal of the program is to develop mission-ready aviation units.

a. Applicability. The ATP applies to all Army aviators in operational flying positions and nonrated crew members in designated flying positions. It also applies to noncrew members who perform crew member duties per AR 600-106. Other individuals authorized to perform crew member duties in Army aircraft will comply with AR 95-1 or NGR (AR) 95-210 as applicable.

b. Implementation. Aviation units will use the 95-series Army and National Guard regulations, this publication, and the aircrew training manuals listed in Figure 2-1 (page 2-2).

a. Active Army and US Army Reserve. The ATP training year is divided into semiannual training periods. For Active Army and USAR crew members, the first training period begins the first day following the end of their birth month and continues for six months. The second training period begins the first day of the seventh month and continues through the end of the crew member's birth month. For example, the first training period for a crew member born on 15 April begins 1 May and ends 31 October. The second training period begins 1 November and ends 30 April.

b. Army National Guard. For ARNG crew members, the training year coincides with the fiscal year. The first training period begins 1 October and ends 31 March. The second training period begins 1 April and ends 30 September.

c. Department of the Army Civilians. The unit commander designates the training year for DAC crew members.

Figure 2-1. Aircrew training manuals

All operational aviation positions and other designated flying positions in the ATP are classified as one of three flight activity categories. Unit commanders designate each position FAC 1, FAC 2, or FAC 3. They base these designations on the proficiency required by the TOE or TDA position. Commanders will not change a FAC level merely to reduce individual or unit flying-hour requirements.

NOTE: Flight activity categories do not apply to DACs.

a. FAC 1. FAC 1 duty positions require a high degree of flight proficiency in the tactical employment of the assigned aircraft. The higher semiannual flying-hour minimums required of FAC 1 aviators reflects this need for increased flight proficiency. AOs and AFSOs assigned to TOE units are classified as FAC 1.

b. FAC 2. FAC 2 duty positions require less tactical flight proficiency than FAC 1 duty positions. For example, executive officers, maintenance officers, and staff officers at battalion or higher levels may be designated FAC 2.

c. FAC 3. Commanders may designate certain positions as FAC 3 based on METL requirements. Aviators assigned to FAC 3 operational flying positions must be qualified in their primary aircraft. However, they shall not perform crew member duties in Army aircraft. They do not have aircraft flying-hour minimums or currency requirements, and they are not subject to readiness levels. Commanders would not expect to use these aviators in combat operations without providing refresher or mission training. FAC 3 aviators, however, must maintain their basic flying skills using a flight simulator. A compatible simulator must be available for the aviator's use. Aviators who receive monthly ACIP (fly-for-pay) per AR 600-105 will not be designated FAC 3. Simulator requirements for FAC 3 aviators will not be waived.

(1) FAC 3 aviators must maintain the simulator flying-hour minimums stated in the appropriate ATM. The commander will specify simulator task and iteration requirements on DA Form 7120-R-E (Commander's Task List). They may prorate these requirements according to the AR 95 series and this publication.

(2) Within 90 days after being designated FAC 3, aviators new to the unit must demonstrate to an IE their proficiency in all instrument tasks listed in the appropriate ATM if they have not done so within the past 12 months. An IP or SP may evaluate the aviator's instrument task proficiency in AH-1 and AH-64 aircraft.

(3) Per AR 95-1 and the appropriate ATM, FAC 3 aviators must maintain a current instrument certification by successfully completing an annual instrument flight evaluation using the simulator. They will complete this evaluation during their APART period. (Chapter 3 discusses crew member APART evaluations.) They also shall complete the aircraft operator's manual examination during this period.

(4) Aviators designated as FAC 3 must maintain a current flight physical per AR 40-501. When redesignated FAC 1 or FAC 2, they must undergo RL 3 and/or RL 2 training.

The purpose of the commander's evaluation is to determine the initial RL of newly assigned crew members. This evaluation consists of a records review and possibly a proficiency flight evaluation. The commander or his designated representative will complete the evaluation within 45 calendar days after the crew member signs in to the unit or after the effective date of his flying status orders, whichever occurs last. The Reserve Component commander or his designated representative must complete the evaluation within 45 days after the effective date of the crew member's operational flying status orders or the effective date of transfer (conditional release). ARNG personnel should refer to NGR (AR) 95-210.

a. Records Review. Unit commanders or their designated representative will review the crew member's IATF and IFRF. They will compare the individual's qualifications with the tasks required by the assigned duty position. If the appropriate RL can be determined from the review, the commander will document the RL on the individual's DA Form 7122-R.

b. Proficiency Flight Evaluation. If the initial RL cannot be determined by the records review or if the commander desires, the crew member will undergo a proficiency flight evaluation. The PFE should include tasks from each flight mode in which the crew member can expect to perform duties. The results of the PFE will determine the crew member's RL. The commander will document the RL on the individual's DA Form 7122-R.

c. Considerations.

(1) Commanders may not assign an initial RL 2 or RL 1 to graduates of the Initial Entry Rotary Wing Course, Aerial Observer Course, or aircraft qualification courses who are on their first utilization tour solely on the basis of a records review. For initial designations other than RL 3, the commander must also consider the results of a PFE.

(2) If, at the time of initial RL designation, one year has passed since the RCM has completed any element of an APART (instrument evaluation, standardization evaluation, or aircraft operator's manual examination), he must complete that element before designation as, or progression to RL 1. Graduates of the Initial Entry Rotary Wing Course who are on their first utilization tour are exempt from this requirement.

(3) A crew member's initial NVG RL will be determined per Chapter 4 at a time set by the commander.

(4) The initial validation of an instructor's or evaluator's qualifications at a new duty station will be done in the aircraft.

d. Required Training. After determining the initial RL, the commander will direct qualification, refresher, mission, or continuation training for the crew member as applicable. Time allotted for completion of the required training will start accruing on the date of the RL designation. If recommended by the evaluator, crew members may credit the flight tasks satisfactorily completed on the PFE toward completion of their RL training requirements.

Readiness levels identify the training phase in which crew members are participating and measure crew member readiness. They also provide a logical progression of individual and aircrew training based on task and mission proficiency. In some cases, crew members may have more than one readiness level. For example, crew members who are RL  l in their primary aircraft may be RL 3 or RL 2 in their alternate or additional aircraft while undergoing qualification or mission training in that aircraft. Another example is a crew member who is RL 1 and RL 3 in the same aircraft: RL 1 for aircraft continuation training, and RL 3 for NVG refresher training.

NOTE: Readiness levels do not apply to DACs.

a. Progression.

(1) Active Army crew members, USAR technicians, and USAR AGR crew members have 90 consecutive days to progress from one RL to the next. USAR crew members have one year to progress. All ARNG crew members, including AGR crew members and technicians, progress according to NGR (AR) 95-210. These periods also apply when the crew member begins alternate or additional aircraft qualification and refresher training. They exclude days lost because of--

• Temporary duty.

• Leave approved by the unit commander.

• Medical or nonmedical suspension from flight.

• Grounding of aircraft by Headquarters, Department of the Army.

If the exclusion period exceeds 45 consecutive days, crew members must restart their current RL progression. They will have 90 consecutive days to progress to the next RL. (ARNG crew members should refer to NGR (AR) 95-210.)

(2) Crew members may progress to the next RL in less time than prescribed in (1) above.

(3) During RL progression, crew members must demonstrate proficiency in each mode of flight (day, night, and NVD) required by the ATM and CTL for each task. The provision pertaining to the more demanding mode of flight does not apply. RL progression evaluations may be continuous.

(4) When a crew member is reclassified to RL 2 or 3 because of a flight deficiency, he needs to demonstrate proficiency in only the tasks that were graded unsatisfactory.

(5) When a crew member has not progressed to the next RL within the time specified in (1) above, the unit commander will take action per AR 95-1 or NGR (AR) 95-01.

b. RL 3. Crew members are designated RL 3 while undergoing qualification or refresher training in their primary, alternate, or additional aircraft. They progress from RL 3 by demonstrating proficiency in all base tasks to an IP, SP, IE, FI, or SI as appropriate.

(1) An aviator returning to an operational flying position after not having flown within the previous 180 days must be designated RL 3 for refresher training. This condition also applies to nonrated crew members in designated flying positions.

(2) If a rated or nonrated crew member entering the unit's ATP has flown within the past 180 days, the commander may still require the crew member to undergo refresher training. The commander will base his decision on either a records check or a PFE.

(3) During refresher training, crew members do not have minimum hour, task, iteration, or APART requirements in the aircraft in which the training is being conducted. The only requirements they have are those designated by the commander, AR 95-1 (currency requirements), AR 600-105, and AR 600-106 or NGR (AR) 95-210.

(4) Crew members undergoing RL 3 training in the aircraft must fly with an SP, IP, IE, FI, or SI as appropriate. Rated trainers must be at a station with access to the flight controls. Trainers who are evaluating/training NCMs must be at a station without access to the flight controls.

(5) As a minimum, nonrated crew members designated RL 3 must meet the requirements of AR 600-106.

c. RL 2. Crew members who have completed RL 3 training or have been designated RL 2 initially based on the commander's evaluation will begin training in the mission/additional tasks designated by the unit commander. They will complete this training in their primary, alternate, or additional aircraft. Crew members progress from RL 2 to RL 1 by demonstrating proficiency in all selected mission/additional tasks to an IP, SP, FI, SI or, if appropriate, ME.

NOTE: If an MP performs test pilot tasks only, an ME will conduct the advancement evaluation.

(1) Mission training programs help RL 2 crew members develop the ability to perform specific tasks selected by the commander to support the unit's METL. Because the goal is proficiency in mission-related tasks, commanders should tailor their task list to meet specific unit needs.

(2) During mission training, crew members do not have minimum hour, task, iteration, or APART requirements. The only requirements they have are those designated by the commander, AR 95-1 (currency requirements) or NGR (AR) 95-01 and NGR (AR) 95-210, AR 600-105, and AR 600-106.

(3) As a minimum, nonrated crew members designated RL 2 must meet the requirements of AR 600-106.

(4) RL 2 crew members may not perform mission tasks in which they have not demonstrated proficiency unless they are performing duties with a trainer.

d. RL 1. Crew members who have completed RL 2 training or have been designated RL 1 initially based on the commander's evaluation are considered mission-ready. They are designated RL 1 while undergoing continuation training in their primary, alternate, or additional aircraft. (Chapter 5 of the appropriate ATM discusses continuation training.) Aviators assigned to maintenance officer or maintenance technician positions or are designated as MPs or MEs must pass a maintenance test pilot evaluation before being designated RL 1. All aviators must complete a local area flight orientation as outlined in Chapter 3 before progressing to RL 1.

(1) For their primary aircraft, crew members must complete the minimum flying hours listed in Chapter 5 of the appropriate ATM and the simulator hours required by AR 95-1. (ARNG personnel should refer to NGR (AR) 95-210.) They also must perform those tasks designated by the unit commander for the TOE or TDA position.

NOTE: All maintenance test flight tasks listed in the appropriate ATM are mandatory mission tasks for aviators assigned to maintenance officer and maintenance technician positions or designated as MPs or MEs.

(2) Crew members will apply the hours flown in their primary aircraft toward the required minimums after being designated RL 1 (RL 2 for ARNG personnel). Requirements for alternate and additional aircraft are specified in Chapter 3.

NOTE: Aviators designated as MPs or MEs in alternate or additional aircraft must meet the annual maintenance test flight task iteration and evaluation requirements per the appropriate ATM for all alternate and additional aircraft in which they perform duties.

(3) Once designated RL 1, crew members must maintain RL 1 training minimums. The exceptions are when their minimums are prorated or reprogrammed as outlined in Chapter 3 or they are being processed for failing to complete task and flying-hour requirements.

The commander designates a primary aircraft for each crew member. When a crew member must perform duties in more than one aircraft, the commander designates an alternate/additional aircraft. (Chapter 3 provides more information on alternate/additional aircraft.)

a. Primary Aircraft. A primary aircraft is one designated by the commander or required by the TOE or TDA position to which the crew member is assigned.

b. Alternate Aircraft. An alternate aircraft is one in the category (fixed-wing or rotary-wing) opposite the primary aircraft.

c. Additional Aircraft. An additional aircraft is one in the same category as the primary aircraft.

2-7. HELICOPTER GUNNERY TRAINING PROGRAM

The helicopter gunnery training program begins with individual qualification and progresses through crew qualification to unit collective training. FM 1-140 establishes training guidelines and defines the standard for helicopter gunnery qualification. Commanders will use FM 1-140 to develop a progressive and continuous helicopter gunnery program.

a. Applicability. Helicopter gunnery applies to all units that operate AH-64, AH-1, and OH-58D(I) aircraft. SOA units will conduct helicopter gunnery per their internal SOPs.

b. RL Progression.

(1) To progress to RL 2, the aviator must satisfactorily complete Tables III and IV per FM 1-140. These tables are designed to evaluate the aviator's individual gunnery skills.

(2) To progress to RL 1, the aviator must satisfactorily complete live-fire gunnery per FM 1-140. This is designed to certify the aviator's ability to perform the unit mission as part of the crew.

(3) The first commander, O-6 or above, in the individual's chain of command may waive live-fire requirements for RL progression until the unit's next scheduled gunnery.

c. Gunnery Continuation Training.

(1) After completing live-fire gunnery, an aviator remains gunnery certified for 12 months. To retain gunnery certification, the aviator must satisfactorily complete live-fire gunnery at least every 12 months.

(2) Gunnery continuation requirements apply to RL 1 aviators only. An aviator removed from RL 1 for a training deficiency also must meet these requirements.