Book Description

Training Circular TC 3-04.5 Instrument Flight for Army Aviators April 2017 TC 3-04.5 presents fundamentals, procedures, and techniques for instrument flying that are essential to the effective conduct of military operations and creates the ability to enable commanders to make risk decisions in less than optimal weather while preserving combat power. This publication is written for Army Aircrews to develop a fundamental understanding of knowledge and skills necessary to operate in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). TC 3-04.5 is an excellent reference for Army aircrews; however, it cannot be expected that this training circular is all inclusive or a full comprehension of the information will be obtained by simply reading the text. TC 3-04.5 facilitates adherence to Army regulation (AR) 95-1 by providing guidance and procedures for standard Army instrument flying. Aircraft flight instrumentation and mission objectives are varied, making instruction general for equipment and detailed for accomplishment of maneuvers. Guidance found in this manual is both technique and procedure oriented. Aircraft operator manuals provide the detailed instructions required for particular aircraft instrumentation or characteristics. When used with related flight directives and publications, this publication provides adequate guidance for instrument flight under most circumstances but is not a substitute for sound judgment; circumstances may require modification of prescribed procedures. Aircrew members charged with the safe operation of United States Army, Army National Guard (ARNG), or United States Army Reserve (USAR) aircraft must be knowledgeable of the guidance contained herein. This manual applies to all military, civilian, and/or contractor personnel who operate Army aircraft, and is designed as a technical reference for Army aviators who operate under instrument flight rules (IFR) in the National Airspace System (NAS) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) and Instrument Flying Handbook (IFH) are not regulatory; however, both provide information that reflects examples of operating techniques and procedures required in other regulations. Furthermore, the AIM and IFH contain some techniques and procedures not consistent with Army mission requirements, regulatory guidance, waivers, exemptions, and accepted techniques and procedures. These publications, however, are the accepted standard for civil aviation and reflect general techniques and procedures used by other pilots. Much of the information contained in this manual is reproduced from the AIM and IFH and adapted for Army use. If a subject is not covered in this manual or another Army regulation, personnel will follow guidance in the AIM and the IFH unless mission requirements dictate otherwise.