4-7-4. RADIO FREQUENCY AND RADAR BEACON CHANGES FOR MILITARY AIRCRAFT
When military single-piloted turbojet aircraft will conduct an approach wholly or partly in IFR conditions or at
night, take the following action:
NOTE: It is known that the mental distraction and the inadvertent movement of aircraft controls resulting from the
pilot's turning, reaching, or leaning to change frequencies can induce spatial disorientation (vertigo).
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Avoid radio frequency and radar beacon changes to the maximum extent that communications capabilities and traffic
will permit. However, when changes are required:
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Give instructions early enough to allow the change before the aircraft reaches the approach fix or handoff
point.
- Keep frequency/radar beacon changes to a minimum below 2,500 feet above the surface.
- Avoid requiring frequency/radar beacon changes during the time the aircraft is making a turn.
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When traffic volume requires, a frequency other than the one used by aircraft making approaches may be assigned
for use in transferring control to the approach control facility.
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If practicable, use a frequency common to both the GCA unit and approach control to minimize frequency changes.
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When a GCA unit is not able to communicate on a common frequency, a change to a GCA frequency may be authorized.
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When a nonradar approach will be made, aircraft may be instructed to change to tower frequency when:
- The reported ceiling is at or above 1,500 feet and visibility is 5 statute miles or more.
- The aircraft reports able to proceed by visual reference to the surface.
- The aircraft requests and is cleared for a contact approach.
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The aircraft is cleared for a visual approach. f. Avoid making frequency/radar beacon changes after an
aircraft begins a high altitude approach.
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In the event of a missed approach, do not require a frequency/radar beacon change before the aircraft reaches the
missed approach altitude, the MEA, or the MVA.