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Course Syllabus

F-16C VIPER Qualification Course

From Cold Start to Combat Ready — NTTR Theater

12 Categories
59 Academic Topics
29 Flight Sorties
7 Reference PDFs

Academic Curriculum

12 categories covering every system of the F-16C Block 50

Basic Aircraft Knowledge 11
  • Cockpit Overview
  • HUD (Head Up Display)
  • JHMCS
  • UFC/DED
  • MFDs
  • Radios (UHF/VHF)
  • FLCS
  • Engine (F110-GE-129)
  • HOTAS
  • Aircraft Performance
  • Fuel System
Navigation & Airmanship 4
  • Navigation Systems (INS/GPS)
  • TACAN
  • Nav / Steerpoints
  • Mark Points
Aircraft Handling 3
  • Cold Start
  • Aerobatics
  • HARTs
Formation & AAR 2
  • Formation Flying
  • Air-to-Air Refueling
Night & Instrument Ops 2
  • NVG Operations
  • ILS Approaches
Air Combat Systems 7
  • FCR (Fire Control Radar)
  • AA Radar Modes
  • AIM-9 Sidewinder
  • AIM-120 AMRAAM
  • M61A1 Vulcan
  • HSD / Datalink
  • RWR / CMDS
BFM 3
  • Offensive BFM
  • Defensive BFM
  • High Aspect BFM
BVR 2
  • Radar Intercept Geometry
  • BVR Timeline
Surface Attack Systems 14
  • FCR AG Modes
  • TGP (Sniper Pod)
  • SMS
  • Gun Strafe
  • Rockets
  • CCIP Bombing
  • CCRP Bombing
  • DTOS
  • MK-80 Series
  • CBU
  • Paveway LGBs
  • WCMD
  • AGM-65 Maverick
  • JDAM / JSOW
BSA Tactics 3
  • Level Delivery
  • High Angle Delivery
  • Pop-Up Attack
SEAD 2
  • HTS Pod
  • AGM-88 HARM
CAS 4
  • CAS Overview
  • 9-Line Brief
  • Advanced CAS
  • Recon & Intel

Sortie Roadmap

29 progressive flight sorties from basic handling to combined air operations

Phase 1 — Basic Qualification
1A
Aircraft Handling
Basic flight maneuvers, confidence building
1B
Airfield Operations
Taxi, takeoff, traffic patterns, landing
2A
Navigation
Cross-country navigation using TACAN, INS, steerpoints
2B
Formation Flying
Fingertip, route, tactical formations
2C
Air-to-Air Refueling
KC-135 boom refueling procedures
3A
Night Operations
NVG flying, night navigation, ILS approaches
Phase 2 — Air Combat
OBFM-1
Offensive BFM Phase 1
Basics of offensive maneuvering
OBFM-2
Offensive BFM Phase 2
Lag-to-Lead, gun tracking, energy recovery
OBFM-3
Offensive BFM Phase 3
Mixed merges, weapons decisions, vertical
DBFM-1
Defensive BFM
Break turns, forcing overshoot, survival
HBFM-3
High Aspect BFM
Head-on engagements, merge tactics
BVR-1
Beyond Visual Range
Single group BVR intercept
Phase 3 — Surface Attack
BSA-1
Medium Altitude Attack
Level CCRP delivery
BSA-2
Low Altitude Attack
Pop-up and dive bombing
BSA-3
Precision Guided Munitions
GBU-24 delivery
S/DEAD-1
SEAD Mission
HARM employment against SAM threats
Phase 4 — Advanced Multi-Ship
ASA-1
Attack Brief & Coordination
Multi-ship attack planning
ASA-2
Threat Reactions
Coordinated SAM defense
ASA-3
Coordinated Attack (Dumb Bombs)
2-ship MK-82/84 delivery
ASA-4
Coordinated Attack (PGMs)
2-ship GBU-12/JDAM, Buddy Lase
ASA-5
Coordinated CAS
JTAC coordination, 9-Line
ASA-6
Complex Strike
Mixed ordnance, SEAD integration, TOT
Phase 5 — Tactical Operations
SM-1
Section Maneuvering
Tactical formations, mutual support
SM-2
Section ACM
Engaged/supporting, bracket, switcher
SM-3
Tactical Communications
Brevity codes, AWACS coordination
BVR-2
Multi-Group BVR
Sort, commit, skate, F-Pole
CAO-1
DCA CAP
Defensive patrol, scramble
CAO-2
OCA Sweep/Escort
Offensive sweep, strike package escort
CAO-3
Combined Air Ops
Full-spectrum, HVAA protection

Course Information

Everything you need to know about the F-16C Viper QC program

Prerequisites

  • DCS World + F-16C Viper Module
  • NTTR Map (Nevada)
  • HOTAS Controller (Stick + Throttle)
  • Working Microphone
  • SRS (Simple Radio Standalone)
  • Willingness to learn and train regularly

Reference Documents

  • DCS Combat Ops - Mission Planning v10.03.25
  • DCS F-16C Combat Fundamentals v2.0
  • DCS BFT (Fixed Wing) v8.19.22
  • DCS F-16 Block 50 Checklist v2.5
  • DCS F-16C Viper Guide
  • DCS-SFT Section Fighter Tactics v2.0
  • DCS F-16C Early Access Guide (DE)

Course Details

  • Theater: NTTR (Nevada Test & Training Range)
  • Home Base: Nellis AFB
  • Aircraft: F-16C Block 50
  • 12 Academic Categories
  • 59 Knowledge Topics
  • 29 Flight Sorties (16 basic + 13 advanced)
  • OPORD-style Mission Briefings

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