Case I port holding pattern altitude

[Hippo]

According to the CV NATOPS, 6.2.1,

Quote

Flights shall be established at their assigned port holding pattern altitude 10 nm prior to entering the pattern.

How does this work IRL, i.e., how and when is this altitude assigned?  And what to do in the (single player) game?  I normally just use 4.000 feet and wait for "charlie", but should this altitude have been passed to me by the tower on entering the CCA?  Another one for the wish list?

A recent mission I played had five other, single aircraft, AI flights arrive at around the same time as I did.  One AI went straight into the landing pattern (i.e. 800ft), the other aircraft went into the port holding pattern at 4k, 5k, 6k and 3k.  I was behind them.  How was I supposed to know which levels they were going to use?  How was I supposed to know which level I was supposed to use?

Edited September 9 by Hippo

[draconus]

18 hours ago, Hippo said:

And what to do in the (single player) game?

Check p. 63-64 of SC manual. Basically the game won't tell you pattern altitude. I use radar/DL to check the picture of the stack (that's what you call port holding pattern) and just place myself 1k ft over the highest one but it's very rare in SP to even have someone before you when you get charlie as soon as you get within 3nm. Just good airmanship required.

IRL it depends wether it is CQ or COs. For CQ you take whatever Boss/Tower will order. For COs you'll use squadron altitude.

[Hippo]

42 minutes ago, draconus said:

For COs you'll use squadron altitude.

Thank you.  Just a couple of clarifications please.  COs = commanding officer?  Meaning what with regard to my question? And what is "squadron altitude"?

Edited September 10 by Hippo

[draconus]

For COs - I meant Cycling Ops (operations). CQ - Carrier Quals (qualifications).

Squadron altitude is the stack alt established for your squad before the flight.

Edited 17 hours ago by draconus

[Ala12Rv-Tundra]

The performance speed  while stacking is about 250 right?
Keeping 350 like for initial and break is incorrect, Im guessing.

[Minsky]

2 hours ago, Ala12Rv-Tundra said:

The performance speed  while stacking is about 250 right?
Keeping 350 like for initial and break is incorrect, Im guessing.

It is whatever your max endurance airspeed is.

(Unless you have other restrictions or need to burn fuel.)

For the Hornet at 2000 feet that will be 220-240 kts.

[draconus]

2 hours ago, Ala12Rv-Tundra said:

The performance speed  while stacking is about 250 right?
Keeping 350 like for initial and break is incorrect, Im guessing.

Yes, definitely you should keep it slow - max conserve.

[fagulha]

17 hours ago, Ala12Rv-Tundra said:

The performance speed  while stacking is about 250 right?
Keeping 350 like for initial and break is incorrect, Im guessing.

The speed limit inside the bubble (50 nm) and Marshall Stack is 250 kts (unless ordered otherwise). As soon you depart the Marshall Stack  you need to get at initial at 350 kts. It´s up to the aviator to get at the initial at 350 kts and 800 ft.

Edited 2 hours ago by fagulha
Typos

[Ala12Rv-Tundra]

thanks everyone who chimed in. airspeed is now properly managed here.