Comms acknowledgements

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Hedgehog
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Comms acknowledgements

Post by Hedgehog » Mon Nov 01, 2021 10:27 am

Reflecting real-world radio communication, when a Flight Leader sends a radio message, sometimes an acknowledgement from each aircraft in the flight is required, sometimes it is not. When it is not required, it is also not desired, so as to maintain comms discipline and avoid unnecessary radio traffic.

When acknowledgement is required:
When the Flight Leader issues a directive (an order).
Example:

2-1: "Flight, establish trail formation."
2-2: "Two."
2-3: "Three."
2-4: "Four."

Acknowledgements should be transmitted in flight order. If the guy in front of you does not transmit within a reasonable period of time (i.e., a few seconds) (e.g., is dead, radio malfunction, etc.), then you should transmit your acknowledgement.

When acknowledgement is NOT required (and should NOT be transmitted):
When the Flight Leader transmit is information, or
When the Flight Leader transmits planned or normal navigation intent.
Examples:

2-1: "Flight reference Whiskey 4."
(It's part of the expected flight plan. No acknowledgement.)

2-1: "Coming right to 280."
(Normal navigation event, other aircraft in the formation will observe the change even if they don't hear the transmission. No acknowledgement.)

2-1: "Dealer 1 is reporting heavy AAA in the target area."
(Informative transmission. Not a directive. No acknowledgement.)

Bottom line: if the Flight Leader told you to do something, you must acknowledge the order. If the Flight Leader is telling you about something, you do not transmit an acknowledgement.
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