Appendix A Glossary

T-34C PRIMARY FORMATION FLIGHT TRAINING

APPENDIX A

GLOSSARY

ABEAM: A position, either port or starboard, which is 90 off the longitudinal axis of the

aircraft.

ACUTE: A condition in which the Wingman is incorrectly positioned forward of a designated

bearing line.

BEARING LINE: An imaginary line drawn from the Lead to the Wing aircraft. Usually

identified by selected visual checkpoints and referred to as an angle off the longitudinal axis of

the lead aircraft.

Figure A-1 Bearing Line

BLIND: A term used to communicate visual contact is lost with a member of the formation

while maneuvering in VMC (opposite of "Visual").

BREAKUP: A maneuver utilized to separate formation aircraft and establish them in trail.

CHECKPOINT: A selected point or set of points on the lead aircraft, which are utilized by the

Wingman to determine relative position.

CLOSURE RATE: Overtake created by airspeed or angular advantage; can be positive or

negative.

CROSSUNDER: A maneuver utilized to change the position of the Wing aircraft from one side

of Lead to the other.

CUTOUT: A visual checkpoint referring to the outermost corner of that portion of the wing cut

out to allow installation of the aileron.

GLOSSARY A-1