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CHAPTER 6

FLYING-HOUR PROGRAM

The DA flying-hour program is a consolidation of requirements from subordinate commands. Aircraft are assigned to TOE units to meet combat requirements. During peacetime, these aircraft are used to train aviation and ground units for combat. Aircraft are also assigned to TDA units to meet other essential mission requirements. This chapter provides guidance for developing FHPs for TOE or TDA aviation units.

6-1. RESPONSIBILITIES OF COMMANDERS

The high costs associated with aviation require that commanders with aviation assets calculate a flying-hour program. They must base the FHP on the minimum number of flying hours needed to maintain individual, crew, and unit proficiency. They also must include those hours required to train supported units to ARTEP mission training plan standards. To achieve the ideal balance of readiness at the lowest cost, commanders must consider--

6-2. FORMULATION OF A FLYING-HOUR PROGRAM FOR TRAINING

The number of flying hours required for training depends on the number of assigned crew members. Total training hours required for each crew member are listed in the appropriate ATM. When computing flying hours for their unit's FHP, commanders must consider only pilot hours for each aviator. They also must consider the hours required to train a nonrated crew member in actual aircraft handling. If a compatible simulation device is available, they subtract the hours flown in the simulation device from the total training-hour requirements for each crew member assigned. In the example that follows, arbitrary data is used to show how the commander of a UH-1H unit determined the number of training hours required.

NOTE: Qualification training requirements will most likely be based on historical data available in the unit. Active Components have a relatively low requirement for qualification training while some Reserve Components have a high requirement.

NOTE: The fraction 3/4 used in (d) above is the estimated portion of the training year remaining for newly assigned aviators to complete continuation training.

6-3. FORMULATION OF ANNUAL FLYING HOURS FOR MISSION SUPPORT

Total mission support hours required
    2,200
    Installation support
300
    Ranger training support
600
    Infantry division support
1,300
Individual training hours required
    1,150
Total mission support and individual training hours required
    3,350
Total training hours required
    3,294
Difference (hours)
    -56

Figure 6-1. Sample FHP computation (first step)

Total training hours required and operational hours (3,294 + 56)

Maintenance hours required (3,350 x .05)

    Total hours

Hours programmed as follows:

    Individual training

    Maintenance

    Installation support

    Ranger training support

    Infantry division support

    Total hours

3,350

168

3,518

 

1,150

168

300

600

1,300

3,518

NOTE: The FHP for a unit with 20 UH-1H aircraft assigned is 14.66 hours per aircraft per month.

Figure 6-2. Sample FHP computation (second step)

6-4. EVALUATION OF THE FLYING-HOUR PROGRAM

The aviation unit's desired status should be achieved by training and measured during evaluations. Evaluation results may reveal a need to increase or decrease flying-hour requirements. Commanders must allocate sufficient flying hours to subordinate units and implement policy according to this publication to ensure maximum combat readiness.

6-5. MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES