Figure 4-1 Parade Position

CHAPTER FOUR

SECTION PARADE

400. INTRODUCTION

Parade formation is used in various flight regimes to include initial/overhead patterns, instrument

penetrations, demonstrations, and exhibition flights to name a few. Advantages are: it offers

Wingman the best visual on Lead in poor weather conditions; provides good visual

communications between aircraft in the flight; is easily and positively controlled by the formation

lead and presents a neat military appearance. The disadvantages are less maneuverability and it

hinders proper lookout doctrine by the Wingman.

401. PARADE POSITION

The parade position is the basis for all maneuvers in this chapter. In general it is a fixed position,

on either the right or left side of the Lead, on a 45 bearing from the Lead. It provides a fixed

position, ensures maneuverability of the flight, and maintains 3 feet of wingtip clearance and

5 feet of stepdown (Figure 4-1).

Figure 4-1 Parade Position

1. Stepdown. If there is excessive stepdown, a large gap will be visible between the fuselage

and opposite wing and you will most likely see portions of the bottom of the opposite wing

(Figure 4-2). If there is insufficient stepdown, the normal parade checkpoints will not be visible

as the fuselage will cover the opposite wing's reference points (Figure 4-3).

SECTION PARADE 4-1