What to expect?

The checkride is a 1–2 hour flight designed to assess the student’s capabilities and overall competency in the F-14B(U) Tomcat. It will generally follow the structure detailed on this page, although individual sections may change depending on the scenario, available personnel, or mission restrictions.

If you are unfamiliar with any part of the checkride, you may ask the instructor for clarification or request that the section be skipped. Any skipped sections can be revisited at a later date. If you are unable to complete most of the sections listed below, we recommend continuing your training with the 41st VFS Black Aces before attempting the checkride.

You do not need to complete the checkride to participate in smaller events, training sessions, or community activities with the 41st VFS Black Aces. You are welcome to fly and interact with the community regardless of your qualification status.

The checkride exists solely to track which pilots and aircrews are qualified to perform the tasks listed on this page. You may take the checkride whenever you feel ready.

Before the checkride, the student must install all required training-range modifications and ensure that they own the necessary DCS modules and maps. These may include the F-14 Tomcat, the required terrain, and any carrier modules used during the evaluation. SRS and ~~the official 41st VFS Black Aces livery~~ may also be required or recommended depending on the event.

ORDER OF EVENTS

The student and instructor will review this page before the flight. Decide whether the checkride will cover air-to-air, air-to-ground, or both. Anything unfamiliar may be explained, skipped, and revisited later.

Pilot and RIO checkrides are handled separately. Students are only evaluated on tasks relevant to their position.

START-UP AND DEPARTURE

Pilot

Start the aircraft from cold and dark.
Complete a normal field or carrier take-off.
Follow the flight lead’s instructions.
Fly a basic CASE I departure when operating from the carrier.

RIO

Complete the RIO start-up.
Set up navigation, radios, radar, and datalink.
Use the CDNU to create or modify the flight plan.
Assist the Pilot with navigation and checklists.

FORMATION AND CRUISE

Pilot

Maintain a safe and comfortable formation.
Follow the flight lead during turns, climbs, and descents.

RIO

Monitor navigation, radar, fuel, and communications.
Provide useful information to the Pilot.

AIR-TO-AIR

Pilot

Follow the RIO’s intercept guidance.
Support missile employment.
Complete a basic beyond-visual-range and visual engagement.

RIO

Search for and lock a bandit.
Guide the Pilot towards the target.
Support missile employment using the radar.

The instructor may fly the aircraft while the student RIO completes the radar portion.

AIR-TO-GROUND

Pilot

Fly to the assigned range.
Complete basic weapon and gun attacks.
Maintain safe aircraft control.

RIO

Use the CDNU and LANTIRN systems.
Help locate and designate targets.
Guide the Pilot during the attack.

AIR-TO-AIR REFUELLING

Pilot

Join the tanker.
Take a reasonable amount of fuel.
Remain below the 54,000-pound maximum recovery weight.

RIO

Assist with tanker navigation.
Monitor fuel and aircraft weight.

CASE I RECOVERY

Pilot

Join the carrier pattern.
Fly a normal CASE I recovery.
Complete the required touch-and-go landings and final trap.

RIO

Assist with navigation, fuel checks, and recovery calls.

DEBRIEF

The student and instructor will review what went well, what needs improvement, and whether any sections should be completed again.

After qualification, the student may choose an available 1xx side number and use the squadron’s Discord naming format.

Good luck!