F-14 Tomcat Flight Crew Coordination

Introduction
The duties of the pilot and RIO are necessarily
integrated. The performance of one crewmember contributes
to the performance of the other. Successful crew interaction
can provide cockpit synergy that significantly improves
mission success. However, a pilot/ RIO team that does not
interact successfully can be a major detriment to mission
success. In this chapter, specific responsibilities are delin_
eated for each phase of flight. Specific mission flightcrew
responsibilities are also delineated.

General Pilot Responsibilites

The pilot is the aircraft commander and responsible for
the safe and orderly flight of the aircraft and the well−being
of the crew. In the absence of direct orders from higher
authority cognizant of the mission, responsibility for starting
or continuing a mission with respect to the weather, mission
environment, or any other condition affecting the safety of
the aircraft rests with the pilot.

General RIO Responsibilites

The RIO constitutes an extension of the pilot’s
observation facilities. By effective communication, the RIO
should anticipate rather than await developments in flight.
The RIO will be a safety backup for the pilot. In this capacity,
the RIO shall offer constructive comments and recommenda_
tions, as necessary, throughout the mission in order to
maintain the safest and most effective flight environment.
The RIO will be responsible for the reading of appropriate
checklists utilizing a challenge and reply system.
The RIO will normally be responsible for all communications except
in tactical situations as designated in squadron SOP.
 Specific Responsibilites
Flight Planning

Pilot
The pilot is responsible for the preparation of required
charts, flight logs, and navigation computations including
fuel planning, checking weather and NOTAMS, and for filing
required flight plans.

RIO
The RIO is responsible for the preparation of charts,
flight logs, navigation computations including fuel planning,
checking NOTAMs, obtaining weather for filing purposes,
and completing required flight plans.

Pre-Flight

Pilot
The pilot is responsible for accepting and preflighting
the assigned aircraft and coordinating preflight operational
checks in accordance with this manual and appropriate
preflight checks contained in NAVAIR 01−F14AAD−1B, the
F14−D NATOPS Pocket Checklist.

RIO

The RIO will be capable of and proficient in perform_

ing a complete aircraft preflight, including armament, in
accordance with this manual and appropriate preflight
checklists contained in NAVAIR 01−F14AAD−1B, the F14−D
NATOPS Pocket Checklist.
 Pre-Start

Pilot

The pilot will execute prestart checks prescribed in

NAVAIR 01−F14AAD−1B and, when external power is
applied and checks requiring external power are completed,
will inform the RIO _Prestart checks completed. Ready to
start."

RIO

The RIO will execute prestart checks prescribed in

NAVAIR 01−F14AAD−1B and, when external power is
applied, will inform the pilot _Prestart checks completed."

Starting

Pilot

The pilot will start engines as prescribed in para−

graph 7.4.3 and will keep the RIO informed of any unusual
occurrences.

RIO

The RIO will remain alert for any emergency signal

from the groundcrew and will inform the pilot if such signals
are observed.

Poststart

Pilot

At completion of the emergency generator check, the

pilot will inform the RIO _Emergency generator check
complete." The pilot will complete all poststart checks
prescribed in NAVAIR 01−F14AAD−1B and coordinate with
the RIO the initiation of OBC.

RIO

At completion of the emergency generator check, the

RIO will perform the poststart checks prescribed in NAVAIR
01−F14AAD−1B. When OBC is completed and the inertial
navigation system aligned, the RIO informs the pilot, _Ready
to taxi."
 Pretakeoff

Pilot

The pilot will execute Pretakeoff, Instrument, and

Takeoff Checklists prescribed in NAVAIR 01−F14AAD−1B
and as posted in the aircraft. The pilot will report to the RIO
Takeoff Checklist items, using the challenge−reply method.
The pilot will receive the _Ready for takeoff" report from the
RIO and advise him of type and configuration takeoff
planned, prior to rolling or catapulting. The pilot will report
_Rolling" or _Saluting," as appropriate, to the RIO.

RIO

The RIO will execute Pretakeoff Checklists prescribed

in NAVAIR 01−F14AAD−1B; will initiate, using the
challenge−reply method, the posted Takeoff Checklist in the
aircraft; and, at completion of the Takeoff Checklist, RIO
informs the pilot _Ready for takeoff."

Takeoff and Departure

Pilot

The pilot shall ensure that the intercom remains in HOT

MIKE for normal flight operations and will report _Gear up"
and _Flaps up" to the RIO insofar as safety permits. The RIO
should be advised of any unusual occurrences during takeoff
that may affect safety of flight. The pilot or RIO will request,
copy, and acknowledge all clearances.

RIO

Where departures are made in actual instrument

conditions, the RIO will monitor the published clearance
departure procedures and inform the pilot of any deviation
from the prescribed flightpath. The RIO will copy all
clearances received and at all times be prepared to provide the
pilot with clearance information and/or navigational informa_
tion derived from the RIO’s instruments. Built−in−test checks
will not be conducted during instrument climbouts.
 In Flight (General)

Pilot

The pilot will inform the RIO of any unusual occur_

rences and will ensure that the aircraft is operated within

prescribed operating limitations at all times. The pilot or RIO

will normally request, copy, and acknowledge all clearances.

RIO

The RIO will assist the pilot in normal or emergency

situations, including navigation, communication, and visual
lookout. The RIO will inform the pilot of the weapon system
status. During ascent or descent, the RIO will inform the pilot
1,000 feet prior to the intended level−off altitude.

Intercept

Pilot

The pilot will maneuver or coordinate aircraft maneu_

vers with, or as directed by, the RIO, observing normal
operating limitations. The pilot will inform the RIO of
weapons status, weapons selected and armed, and when the
target is sighted visually. The pilot will monitor aircraft
position from initial vector through breakaway by pigeons
information or navigational display.

RIO

The RIO will handle all communications from initial

vector through breakaway, excluding missile−away transmis_
sions; provide the pilot with descriptive commentary,
including weapon status and target aspect, if available; and
direct and coordinate aircraft maneuvers with the pilot, as
necessary, to complete the intercept.
 Instrument Approaches

Pilot

The pilot is responsible for the safe control of the

aircraft, the decision to commence the approach with the
existing weather, and the selection of the type of approach to
be made. The pilot, before commencing any penetration, will
report to the RIO the completion of each item of the
Instrument Checklist. In addition, the pilot will challenge the
RIO Instrument Penetration Checklist, as to approach plate
availability and corrected altimeter setting.

RIO

The RIO will monitor aircraft instruments and

appropriate approach plate during holding, penetration, and
approach and shall be ready to provide the pilot with any
required information. He shall be particularly alert to advise
the pilot of deviations from the course of minimum altitudes
prescribed on the approach plate. Built−in−test checks will not
be conducted in actual instrument conditions. The RIO will
inform the pilot of the status of the radar and will do nothing
to cause the display to be lost. During penetrations and/or
descents (VFR or IFR), the RIO will report to the pilot the
aircraft descent through each 5,000 feet of altitude above
5,000 feet and each 1,000 feet of altitude loss below 5,000
feet, until, on reaching the desired altitude, the RIO will
report when altitude error exceeds 10 percent of actual
altitude or ±300 feet.

Landing

Pilot

The pilot will utilize the Landing checklist and will

report each item to the RIO prior to reporting _Gear down,
hook down" to the final controller, tower, or Pri−Fly. The pilot
will receive a _Ready to land" report from the RIO.

RIO

In the landing pattern, the pilot shall read and the RIO
acknowledge the posted Landing Checklist. The RIO shall
visually check the flap position and landing gear position by
looking through the opening on the left side of the instrument
panel. The RIO will report _Ready to land" to the pilot.
Built−in−test checks shall not be conducted while in the
landing pattern.