Overshoot From Straight Ahead Rejoin

CHAPTER 5

AIR FORCE T-38 TRACK INTERMEDIATES

Route position. As you approach the Route position, start to slow your closure. Stabilize in the

Route position; once stabilized, move smoothly into Fingertip.

a. Procedure

(1)

Lead

(a) Distinct wing rock three times or direct the Rejoin on the radio "Knight

Rejoin Straight Ahead," rollout wings level.

(b)

Pull power smoothly to reduce airspeed to 120 knots.

(c)

Monitor Two's progress while clearing for the formation.

(2)

Wing

(a)

Once you see Lead's wing rock, add max power and turn toward Lead.

(b) For a Straight Ahead Rejoin, immediately use pure pursuit (pointing at

Lead) to maneuver to approximately 400-500 feet behind Lead. Make sure you do not bleed all

your energy in this maneuver.

(c)

Roll in trail with Lead slightly above the horizon.

(d)

Monitor your airspeed as you get closer to Lead. Remember he is at 120

knots.

(e) Approximately three ship lengths behind Lead, point the aircraft to the

Route position of the side you want to rejoin to.

(f)

Maneuver to the Route position, and stabilize.

(g)

Once stabilized in Route, smoothly move into the Fingertip position.

b. Common Errors

(1)

Lead forgetting to slow to 120 knots and not telling Two what his parameters

are.

(2)

Lead slowing to less than 120 knots and not telling Two, setting Two up for an

overshoot.

(3) Wing depleting, losing all his energy in the turn to Lead's six and rolling out in

trail at 120 knots.

513.

OVERSHOOT FROM STRAIGHT AHEAD REJOIN

An Overshoot (underrun) from the Straight Ahead Rejoin will be executed similar to the

Straight Ahead Under Run in Primary; lower the nose, reduce PCL to idle, then turn away from

Lead to ensure you have a vector away. Try to reduce your closure early. Watch your airspeed

as you get closer to Lead and reduce the airspeed incrementally as you get closer, always

reference Lead's airspeed compared to yours. If there is any doubt about your ability to stabilize

in Route without passing in front of Lead, then execute an Overshoot; in any case, never pass in

front of Lead or under him. If you cannot prevent passing in front of Lead (i.e. Lead's 3/9 line

[directly abeam]), then you must breakout of formation.

5-12 T-38 FORMATION ADMIN