421 vFS Recruiting Requirements and Public Overview

Welcome! This thread is here to give an overview of how we operate the Viper in the 421st vFS. It will address common recruiting questions, identify entry checkride standards, and highlight our primary documents and contents, so that prospective recruits have an idea of what to expect.

Recruitment

The recruitment process entails submitting and application on our website here so that we can learn a little bit about you, gauge your interest and experience, and develop a baseline on potential candidates. Don’t forget to write a short introduction on our public board and join the discord. The next step is an informal discord interview. Here, we aim to evaluate whether what we have to offer would be a good fit for a candidates interests and whether a candidate would be a good fit for us. Additionally, we hope to address any concerns, and ensure expectations are understood by all parties. The last element of the recruiting process is an entry checkride. This checkride helps us to evaluate a candidate’s aptitude for technical flying, and competency for basic formation flight. The key components of this checkride include an IMC/IFR departure and recovery in addition to an aerial rendezvous and aerial refueling on a KC135. These tasks can be practiced in single player and provide us with a good baseline for a candidate’s proficiency. The standards for this event are outlined below.

1. Ground Operations
a. Preflight
CONDITIONS: Prior to start. Appropriate checklists are available.

b. Start/Taxi/Pretakeoff
CONDITIONS: Prestart checks complete to takeoff.

c. Checklist Procedures
CONDITIONS: Preflight to takeoff. Appropriate checklists are available.

d. Avionics Procedures
CONDITIONS: Preflight to takeoff. Appropriate checklists are available.

2. Takeoff
CONDITIONS: Aircraft on the runway, properly lined-up, configured, and cleared for takeoff.

3. Instrument Departure and Tanker Rejoin
CONDITIONS: Assigned a SID, locally directed stereo departure, or given radar vectors.

4. Air-to-Air Refueling
CONDITIONS: KC-135 (level to 15 degrees of bank). Turbulence to light chop.

5. Instrument Approach/ILS
CONDITIONS: Cleared for the approach.

Checkride Details
- METAR: KLSV 011130Z AUTO 23010KT 1SM RA OVC004 06/05 A2974
- SID: DREAM4
- IAP: ILS X RWY 21L
- AAR/RV: TEXACO/KC-13/295.5/69X/N3710.574 - W114 41.072/27000

Checkride Tools
MDC

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Training

The training syllabus is broken into 4 distinct parts - Initial Qualification Training (IQT), Mission Qualification Training (MQT) A/A and A/G, and Continuation Training (CT). Only IQT and MQT are required.

Initial Qualification Training (IQT):
The F-16C IQT course provides the basics for operating the DCS: F-16C in a non-tactical environment. Training pilots who graduate F-16C IQT possess the knowledge and skills to safely start, takeoff, navigate, fly as a wingman in 2-ship formations, and land the aircraft during both day and night, and in poor weather conditions. Upon graduation from Viper IQT, students will progress to Mission Qualification Training (MQT) where they will further train to employ the Viper in a tactical environment. At the end of IQT, the student is BMC and able to join other 421st pilots on combat missions.

LAO - Area Familiarization
FORM-1 Day VFR Navigation and Basic Formations
FORM-2 Visual Procedures and Tactical Maneuvering
FORM-3 Element Responsibilities and Tactical Formations
AHC-1 Aircraft Handling Characteristics and Emergency Procedures
INS-1 Instrument Procedures and Navigation
NINS-1 Night Instrument Procedures and Navigation
Checkride

Mission Qualification Training (MQT):
The F-16C MQT course provides the basics for operating the DCS: F-16C in a tactical environment. Training pilots who graduate F-16C MQT possess the knowledge and skills to safely employ the aircraft and its weapons in a combat environment, fly as a wingman in a two-ship or four-ship tactical formation and avoid or react to ground and air threats. The MQT course is split into 2 phases; Phase 1 covers Air-to-Air (A/A) and Phase 2 covers Air-to-Ground (A/G). At the end of MQT, the student is fully CMR.

Phase 1:

OBFM-1 Basic Fighter Maneuvers (BFM) Fundamentals
HBFM-1 HABFM Introduction
HBFM-2 HABFM Consolidation
DACM-1 Defensive Air Combat Maneuvering
HACM-1 High Aspect Air Combat Maneuvering
TI-1 Intercept Fundamentals
ACT-1 Element Counterair, Launch and Leave Employment
ACT-1 Element Counterair Launch and Decide Employment
ACT-1 Element Counterair Employment Consolidation
A/A Checkride

Phase 2:

BSA-1 Basic Surface Attack Fundamentals
SAT-1 Surface Attack Tactics (Deliberate Attacks)
SAT-2 Surface Attack Tactics (Dynamic Attacks)
SEN-1 Sensor Employment
PGM-1 IDM Guided Munition Employment (Deliberate Attacks)
PGM-2 Laser Guided Munition Employment (Dynamic Attacks)
SEAD-1 Preemptive Targeting and Employment Tactics
SEAD-2 Reactive Targeting and Employment Tactics
A/G Checkride

Continuation Training:
CT is not mandatory training, but is highly encouraged so pilots maintain proficiency on previously trained items and become more skilled in the unit’s assigned missions. Pilots participating in CT are expected to have a strong understanding of the topics as outlined in the training program. CT is broken up into different programs, each focusing on specific topics. Each program has specific pre-requisites, academics, sorties and graduation requirements.

Flight Lead Upgrade (FLUG)
Specific details are addressed in training syllabus.

476th vFG Tactics Techniques Procedures

476TTP 3-3.F-16C COMBAT AIRCRAFT FUNDAMENTALS

This publication provides DCS F-16C pilots a comprehensive document containing fundamental employment procedures and techniques that may be used to accomplish the mission of the F-16C. This handbook is the primary F-16C combat aircraft fundamentals reference for the 476th Virtual Fighter Group, 421st Virtual Fighter Squadron, 65th Virtual Aggressor Squadron, and 74th Virtual Training Squadron.

Chapters:

Introduction
Mission Preparation
Formation
Air-to-Air Employment
Air-to-Surface Employment
Air-to-Air Refueling
Low Altitude Operations
Night Operations
Proficiency Exercises

476TTP 3-1.F-16C TACTICAL EMPLOYMENT

This publication provides DCS F-16C pilots a comprehensive document containing detailed employment procedures and techniques that may be used to accomplish the missions of the F-16C. This publication provides detailed solutions to tactical problems that may be encountered by the F-16C. Pilots should use these solutions as a baseline for how they plan on solving problems for their specific mission. This handbook is the primary F-16C employment reference for the 476th Virtual Fighter Group, 421st Virtual Fighter Squadron, 65th Virtual Aggressor Squadron, and 74th Virtual Training Squadron.