BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 11-2C-17 ...

257 Pages·2011·2.16 MB·English

BY ORDER OF THE AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 11-2C-17
SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE VOLUME 3
16 NOVEMBER 2011
Flying Operations
C-17 OPERATIONS PROCEDURES

COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PUBLICATION IS MANDATORY
ACCESSIBILITY: Publications and forms are available for downloading or ordering on the e-
Publishing website at www.e-publishing.af.mil.
RELEASABILITY: There are no releasability restrictions on this publication.

OPR: HQ AMC/A3V Certified by: AF/A3O-A
(Col James W. Crowhurst)
Supersedes: AFI11-2C-17V3, Pages: 257
15 December 2005

This instruction implements Air Force Policy Directive (AFPD) 11-2, Aircraft Rules and
Procedures and references AFI 11-202, Volume 3, General Flight Rules, as well as Air Force
Tactics Techniques and Procedures (AFTTP) 3-3.C-17. It establishes policy for the operation of
the C-17 aircraft to safely and successfully accomplish worldwide mobility missions. This
instruction applies to all commanders, operations supervisors, and aircrew assigned or attached
to all flying activities of commands operating C-17 aircraft. This publication is applicable to Air
Force Reserve Command (AFRC) and Air National Guard (ANG) units. Ensure that all records
created as a result of processes prescribed in this publication are maintained in accordance with
AFMAN 33-363, Management of Records, and disposed of in accordance with the Air Force
Records Disposition Schedule (RDS) located at
https://www.my.af.mil/afrims/afrims/afrims/rims.cfm This publication requires the collection
and or maintenance of information protected by the Privacy Act (PA) of 1974. The authorities to
collect and or maintain the records prescribed in this publication are Title 10 United States Code,
Chapter 857 and Executive Order 9397, Numbering System for Federal Accounts Relating to
Individual Persons, 30 Nov 1943 as amended by Executive Order 13478, Amendments to
Executive Order 9397 Relating to Federal Agency Use of Social Security Numbers, November
18, 2008. Forms affected by the PA have an appropriate PA statement. System of records notice
F011 AF XO A, Aviation Resource Management System (ARMS) (December 26, 2002, 67 FR
78777) applies. To recommend changes, conflicts, suggestions, or recommendations submit the
AF IMT 847 to the Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR); route AF Form 847s from the field
through Major Command (MAJCOM) publications/forms Managers. The use of the name or
mark of any specific manufacturer, commercial product, commodity, or service in this
publication does not imply endorsement by the Air Force. This document is for information
2 AFI11-2C-17V3 16 NOVEMBER 2011
only. No U.S. government commitment to sell, loan, lease, co-develop or co-produce defense
articles or services is implied or intended. This information is furnished on the condition that it
will not be released to another nation without specific authority of the Department of the Air
Force of the United States, that it will be used for military purposes only, that individual or
corporate rights originating in the information, whether patented or not, will be respected, that
the recipient will report promptly to the United States any known or suspected compromise, and
that the information will be provided substantially the same degree of security afforded it by the
Department of Defense of the United States.‖
SUMMARY OF CHANGES
This document is substantially revised and must be completely reviewed. Major changes include
stabilized approach criteria; use of automation; Verbalized, Verify, and Monitor; critical action
coordination; taxi obstruction criteria from tail/ramp; volcanic ash operations; APU usage;
Arrival/Departure Briefings; elimination of touch and go certified ACs; fuel efficiency
procedures; 18-hour Augmented Duty Day; MEL list; use of non-mission related material; VFR
procedures; and high altitude airdrop. Major changes were a result of standardizing AFI 11-
2MDSv3 across all Mobility Air Forces (MAF) platforms. This document is based on the AMC
11-2MDSv3 template. Some paragraphs were renumbered as a result.

Chapter 1—GENERAL INFORMATION 15
1.1. General. .................................................................................................................. 15
1.2. Applicability. ......................................................................................................... 15
1.3. Key Words Explained. ........................................................................................... 15
1.4. Deviations and Waivers. ........................................................................................ 15
1.5. Supplemental Procedures. ...................................................................................... 16
1.6. Local Supplement Coordination Process. .............................................................. 16
1.7. Improvement Recommendations. .......................................................................... 16
1.8. Definitions. ............................................................................................................ 16
1.9. Aircrew Operational Reports. ................................................................................ 16
Chapter 2—COMMAND AND CONTROL 17
2.1. General. .................................................................................................................. 17
2.2. Execution Authority. .............................................................................................. 17
2.3. Pilot in Command (PIC) Responsibility and Authority. ........................................ 17
2.4. Mission Clearance Decision. ................................................................................. 18
2.5. Operational C2 Reporting. ..................................................................................... 18
2.6. Mission Commander (MC). ................................................................................... 21
2.7. Not Used. ............................................................................................................... 21
AFI11-2C-17V3 16 NOVEMBER 2011 3
2.8. C2 Agency Telephone Numbers. ........................................................................... 21
2.9. Close Watch Missions. .......................................................................................... 21
2.10. Law Enforcement Support. .................................................................................... 21
2.11. Enroute Maintenance Support. ............................................................................... 22
Chapter 3—AIRCREW COMPLEMENT/MANAGEMENT 23
3.1. General. .................................................................................................................. 23
3.2. Aircrew Complement. ............................................................................................ 23
Table 3.1. Aircrew Complement. ............................................................................................ 23
3.3. Aircrew Member Qualification. ............................................................................. 24
3.4. Pilots. ..................................................................................................................... 24
3.5. Not Used. ............................................................................................................... 25
3.6. Loadmasters. .......................................................................................................... 25
3.7. Aircrew Management. ........................................................................................... 25
3.8. Scheduling Restrictions. ........................................................................................ 28
3.9. Fatigue Countermeasures Management Program. ................................................. 28
3.10. Crew Rest/En route Ground Time. ........................................................................ 30
3.11. Alerting Procedures. .............................................................................................. 32
3.12. Stage Management. ................................................................................................ 33
3.13. Standby Force Duty. .............................................................................................. 34
3.14. Orientation Flights and Incentive Flights. .............................................................. 35
3.15. Interfly. .................................................................................................................. 36
3.16. Mission Essential Personnel (MEP). ...................................................................... 36
3.17. Mission Mobility Observers (MMO). .................................................................... 37
3.18. Flight Attendants on Distinguished Visitor Missions. ........................................... 37
Chapter 4—AIRCRAFT OPERATING RESTRICTIONS 38
4.1. Objective. ............................................................................................................... 38
4.2. Minimum Equipment List (MEL) Policy. ............................................................. 38
4.3. Waiver Protocol. .................................................................................................... 39
4.4. Technical Assistance. ............................................................................................. 40
4.5. MEL Table Definitions/Column Identifiers. .......................................................... 40
4.6. C-17 MEL. ............................................................................................................. 41
4.7. Supplements. .......................................................................................................... 41
4.8. Navigation Systems. .............................................................................................. 41
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4.9. Gear Down Flight Operations. ............................................................................... 41
Table 4.1. C-17 Minimum Equipment List (MEL), ................................................................ 41
Chapter 5—OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES 64
5.1. Checklists. .............................................................................................................. 64
5.2. Duty Station. .......................................................................................................... 64
5.3. Flight Station Entry. ............................................................................................... 64
5.4. Takeoff and Landing Policy. .................................................................................. 64
5.5. Landing Gear and Slat/Flap Operating Policy. ...................................................... 65
5.6. Outside Observer/Jump Seat Duties. ..................................................................... 65
5.7. Seat Belts. .............................................................................................................. 65
5.8. Aircraft Lighting. ................................................................................................... 65
5.9. Portable Electronic Devices. .................................................................................. 66
5.10. Tobacco Use on Air Force Aircraft. ...................................................................... 66
5.11. Advisory Calls. ...................................................................................................... 66
Table 5.1. Mandatory Advisory Calls, Responses, and Aircrew Actions. .............................. 66
Table 5.2. Mandatory Advisory Calls, Responses, and Aircrew Actions. .............................. 67
Table 5.3. Mandatory Advisory Calls, Responses, and Aircrew Actions. .............................. 67
Table 5.4. Mandatory Advisory Calls, Responses, and Aircrew Actions. .............................. 67
5.12. Stabilized Approach. .............................................................................................. 68
5.13. Communications Policy. ........................................................................................ 70
5.14. Crew Resource Management (CRM)/Threat and Error Management. .................. 71
5.15. Use of Automation. ................................................................................................ 72
5.16. Transportation of Pets. ........................................................................................... 72
5.17. Alcoholic Beverages. ............................................................................................. 73
5.18. Runway, Taxiway, and Airfield Requirements. ..................................................... 73
5.19. Aircraft Taxi and Taxi Obstruction Clearance Criteria and Foreign Object Damage
(FOD) Avoidance. ................................................................................................. 74
Figure 5.1. Taxi Obstruction Diagram. .................................................................................... 75
5.20. Fuel Jettison Procedures. ....................................................................................... 77
5.21. Aircraft Speed. ....................................................................................................... 78
5.22. Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) Programs. ...................................... 78
5.23. Functional Check Flights (FCFs), Acceptance Check Flights (ACFs) and Operational
Check Flights (OCFs). ........................................................................................... 78
AFI11-2C-17V3 16 NOVEMBER 2011 5
5.24. Participation in Aerial Events. ............................................................................... 79
5.25. Traffic Alerting and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS). .................................. 79
5.26. Radar Altimeter. ..................................................................................................... 80
5.27. Buddy Starts. .......................................................................................................... 80
5.28. Bank Angles. .......................................................................................................... 80
5.29. Aircraft Recovery from Unprepared Surfaces. ...................................................... 80
5.30. Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) / Terrain Alert Warning System (TAWS). 80
5.31. Standard AFCS Terminology. ............................................................................... 81
5.32. C-17 HUD/MFD Endorsement. ............................................................................. 82
5.33. C-17 Engine Start Policy. ...................................................................................... 82
Chapter 6—AIRCREW PROCEDURES 83
Section 6A—Pre-Mission 83
6.1. Aircrew Uniform. ................................................................................................... 83
6.2. Personal Requirements. ......................................................................................... 83
6.3. Pre-Mission Actions. ............................................................................................. 84
6.4. Aircrew Publications Requirements. ..................................................................... 85
Table 6.1. Aircrew Publications. ............................................................................................. 85
6.5. Airfield Review. ..................................................................................................... 86
6.6. Aircrew Intelligence Briefing. ............................................................................... 86
Section 6B—Predeparture 86
6.7. Global Decision Scheduling System 2 (GDSS2) Account. ................................... 86
6.8. Flight Crew Information File (FCIF). .................................................................... 86
6.9. Flight Crew Bulletins (FCB). ................................................................................. 87
6.10. Mission Kits. .......................................................................................................... 87
6.11. Route Navigation Kits. .......................................................................................... 88
Table 6.2. Route Navigation Kit Contents. ............................................................................. 88
6.12. Briefing Requirements. .......................................................................................... 89
6.13. Call Signs. .............................................................................................................. 91
6.14. Instrument Flight Rules. ........................................................................................ 91
6.15. Flight Plan/Data Verification. ................................................................................ 91
6.16. Departure Planning. ............................................................................................... 91
6.17. Weather Minimums for Takeoff. ........................................................................... 94
6 AFI11-2C-17V3 16 NOVEMBER 2011
Table 6.3. Weather Minimums for Takeoff. ........................................................................... 94
6.18. Alternate Planning. ................................................................................................ 94
6.19. Departure Alternates. ............................................................................................. 94
6.20. Destination Requirements (for filing purposes). .................................................... 95
6.21. Adverse Weather. ................................................................................................... 95
6.22. Operational Risk Management (ORM). ................................................................. 98
Section 6C—Preflight 98
6.23. Hazard Identification and Mitigation. .................................................................... 98
6.24. AFTO Forms 781 Series. ....................................................................................... 98
6.25. Aircraft Servicing and Ground Operations. ........................................................... 99
6.26. Aircraft Recovery Away from Main Operating Base (MOB). .............................. 99
6.27. Aircrew Flight Equipment Requirements. ............................................................. 99
6.28. Fleet Service. ......................................................................................................... 100
6.29. Cargo Documentation. ........................................................................................... 100
6.30. Airlifting Hazardous Cargo. ................................................................................... 100
6.31. Handling of Classified Cargo, Registered Mail, Mission Capable (MICAP) Parts, Very,
Very Important Part (VVIP), Forward Supply System (FSS) Shipments, and Courier
Material. ................................................................................................................. 101
Section 6D—Departure 102
6.32. On Time Takeoffs. ................................................................................................. 102
6.33. NVG Departures. ................................................................................................... 102
Section 6E—En route 102
6.34. Flight Progress. ...................................................................................................... 102
6.35. Communications Instructions Reporting Vital Intelligence Sightings and Other Reports. 105
6.36. In-Flight Meals. ..................................................................................................... 105
6.37. Communications. ................................................................................................... 105
6.38. In-flight Emergency Procedures. ........................................................................... 105
6.39. Need for Medical Assistance. ................................................................................ 106
6.40. Weather Forecasts. ................................................................................................. 106
Section 6F—Arrival 106
6.41. Descent. .................................................................................................................. 106
6.42. Instrument Approach Procedures. .......................................................................... 107
6.43. NVG Approach and Landing. ................................................................................ 109
AFI11-2C-17V3 16 NOVEMBER 2011 7
6.44. Unscheduled Landings. .......................................................................................... 109
6.45. Maintenance. .......................................................................................................... 110
6.46. Border Clearance. .................................................................................................. 110
6.47. Insect and Pest Control. ......................................................................................... 114
Section 6G—Miscellaneous 115
6.48. Dropped Objects. ................................................................................................... 115
6.49. Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR). ............................................................................ 115
6.50. Aircrew Flight Equipment and Dash 21 Equipment Documentation. ................... 115
6.51. Not Used. ............................................................................................................... 116
6.52. Airfield Data Reports. ............................................................................................ 116
6.53. Impoundment of Aircraft. ...................................................................................... 116
6.54. Wake Turbulence Avoidance. ................................................................................ 116
6.55. Overflying En Route Stops. ................................................................................... 116
6.56. Classified Equipment and Material. ....................................................................... 116
6.57. Cockpit Congestion and Loose Objects. ................................................................ 117
6.58. Hung Flare Procedures. .......................................................................................... 117
Chapter 7—AIRCRAFT SECURITY 119
7.1. General. .................................................................................................................. 119
7.2. Security. ................................................................................................................. 119
7.3. Integrated Defense. ................................................................................................ 119
7.4. Standby Aircraft Security. ..................................................................................... 119
7.5. En route Security. .................................................................................................. 119
7.6. Detecting Unauthorized Entry. .............................................................................. 120
7.7. Preventive Measures. ............................................................................................. 121
7.8. Preventing and Resisting Hijacking. ...................................................................... 122
7.9. Initial Response. ..................................................................................................... 123
7.10. In-Flight Resistance. .............................................................................................. 123
7.11. Communications Between Aircrew and Ground Agencies. .................................. 124
7.12. Forced Penetration of Unfriendly Airspace. .......................................................... 124
7.13. Arming of Crewmembers. ..................................................................................... 124
7.14. Force Protection. .................................................................................................... 125
Chapter 8—OPERATIONAL REPORTS AND FORMS 126
8 AFI11-2C-17V3 16 NOVEMBER 2011
8.1. General. .................................................................................................................. 126
8.2. AF IMT 457, USAF Hazard Report. ..................................................................... 126
8.3. AF IMT 651, Hazardous Air Traffic Report (HATR). .......................................... 126
8.4. AMC IMT 97, AMC In-Flight Emergency and Unusual Occurrence Worksheet. 127
8.5. Report Violations, Unusual Events, or Circumstances. ......................................... 128
8.6. Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants (POL) - Aviation Fuels Documentation. ............. 130
8.7. Not Used. ............................................................................................................... 133
8.8. AMC Form 54, Aircraft Commander‘s Report on Services/Facilities. ................. 133
8.9. AMC Form 196, Aircraft Commander‘s Report on Crew Member. ...................... 133
8.10. AMC Form 43, Transient Aircrew Facilities Report. ............................................ 133
8.11. Not Used. ............................................................................................................... 134
8.12. DD1748-2, Airdrop Malfunction Report (Personnel-Cargo). ................................ 134
8.13. AF Form 4096, Airdrop/Tactical Airland/Air Refueling Mission Recap, SKE/ZM Debrief.
................................................................................................................................. 134
8.14. Operation Forms for Loadmasters. ........................................................................ 134
Chapter 9—TRAINING AND OPERATING LIMITATIONS 135
9.1. Passengers on Training Missions. .......................................................................... 135
9.2. Touch-and-go Landing Limitations. ...................................................................... 135
9.3. Training on Operational Missions. ........................................................................ 136
9.4. Simulated Emergency Flight Procedures. .............................................................. 136
9.5. Flight Maneuvers. .................................................................................................. 136
9.6. Briefing Requirements. .......................................................................................... 137
9.7. Simulated Instrument Flight. ................................................................................. 137
9.8. Not Used. ............................................................................................................... 137
9.9. Flight Pilot Training. .............................................................................................. 137
9.10. Night Vision Goggle (NVG) Training. .................................................................. 137
9.11. Planned Go Around After Touchdown (GOAT). .................................................. 138
Table 9.1. Training Flight Restrictions. .................................................................................. 138
9.12. Maintenance Opportune Training. ......................................................................... 139
Chapter 10—AIRCREW OPERATIONS IN CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, RADIOLOGICAL,
AND NUCLEAR THREAT ENVIRONMENT 140
10.1. Overview. ............................................................................................................... 140
10.2. Understanding the CBRN Threat. .......................................................................... 140
AFI11-2C-17V3 16 NOVEMBER 2011 9
10.3. CBRN Passive Defense Measures. ........................................................................ 140
10.4. Flight Operations. .................................................................................................. 143
10.5. Ground Operations. ................................................................................................ 144
Table 10.1. Task Time Multipliers. .......................................................................................... 145
Table 10.2. Ten-Foot Rule Time Standards (Source: AFMAN 10-2602). ............................... 146
Chapter 11—NAVIGATION PROCEDURES 148
11.1. General. .................................................................................................................. 148
11.2. Operations in International/Territorial Airspace. ................................................... 148
11.3. Navigation Databases/Flight Plans/Data Verification. .......................................... 150
11.4. Master Flight Plan / Plotting Chart. ....................................................................... 151
11.5. Navigation Capability / Airspace Requirements. ................................................... 151
11.6. Enroute / Flight Progress. ...................................................................................... 154
11.7. Low-Level Navigation. .......................................................................................... 156
11.8. Mission Computer Approaches. ............................................................................. 156
Chapter 12—AIRCREW MAINTENANCE SUPPORT PROCEDURES 159
12.1. General. .................................................................................................................. 159
12.2. Responsibilities. ..................................................................................................... 159
12.3. Authority to Clear a Red X. ................................................................................... 159
12.4. Refueling/Defueling. .............................................................................................. 159
12.5. Maintenance Monitor Panel. .................................................................................. 159
12.6. Aircraft Recovery Away from Main Operating Base (MOB). .............................. 160
12.7. Aircraft Servicing Requirements. .......................................................................... 160
Table 12.1. Job Guides. ............................................................................................................. 160
Chapter 13—CARGO AND PASSENGER PROCEDURES 162
13.1. General. .................................................................................................................. 162
13.2. Responsibilities for Aircraft Loading. ................................................................... 162
13.3. Emergency Exits and Safety Aisles. ...................................................................... 163
13.4. Pre-Mission Duties. ............................................................................................... 164
13.5. Passenger Handling. ............................................................................................... 167
13.6. En Route and Post-Flight Duties. ........................................................................... 169
13.7. Loaded Weapons. ................................................................................................... 170
13.8. Weight and Balance. .............................................................................................. 170
10 AFI11-2C-17V3 16 NOVEMBER 2011
13.9. Cargo Validation On/Offloading Procedures and Format. .................................... 170
13.10. Emergency Airlift of Personnel. ............................................................................ 171
13.11. Rucksacks. ............................................................................................................. 171
13.12. Not Used. ............................................................................................................... 172
13.13. Cargo and Material Handling Equipment (MHE) Issues. ...................................... 172
13.14. Procedures for Loading Hazardous Cargo. ............................................................ 172
13.15. Silver Bullet Command And Control Module (CCM). .......................................... 173
13.16. Senior Leader In-Transit Conference Capsule (SLICC) and Senior Leader In-Transit
Pallet (SLIP). ......................................................................................................... 173
13.17. Deficient CGU-1/B 5000 pound capacity tiedown straps. ..................................... 174
Chapter 14—FUEL PLANNING AND CONSERVATION 175
14.1. General. .................................................................................................................. 175
14.2. Fuel Requirements. ................................................................................................ 175
Table 14.1. Identified Extra Fuel. ............................................................................................. 176
14.3. Fuel Planning Procedures. ..................................................................................... 177
14.4. Fuel Conservation. ................................................................................................. 178
14.5. Inflight Optimization. ............................................................................................ 180
14.6. Computer Flight Plan. ............................................................................................ 180
14.7. Tactical Fuel Planning. .......................................................................................... 180
14.8. AAR Fuel Planning. ............................................................................................... 180
Chapter 15—AIR REFUELING 182
15.1. General. .................................................................................................................. 182
15.2. AAR Limitations. ................................................................................................... 182
15.3. Communications Failure. ....................................................................................... 183
15.4. Operational Reporting. ........................................................................................... 183
15.5. MARSA Applicability for Aerial Refueling. ......................................................... 184
15.6. Altitude Reservations. ............................................................................................ 184
15.7. Receiver Aircraft Commander Responsibilities. ................................................... 184
15.8. Tanker Aircraft Commander Responsibilities. ...................................................... 184
15.9. ATC Clearance. ..................................................................................................... 185
Chapter 16—COMBAT MISSION PLANNING 187
16.1. General. .................................................................................................................. 187
16.2. Assault Landing Zones (ALZ). .............................................................................. 187