Air Combat Maneuvering
Background
8.
If a pilot has lost sight, he will transmit “Lost sight” and respond to the other aircraft in the flight
when they transmit further instructions. Be sure to differentiate between “Lost sight” and “No
joy.” “Lost sight” means “I cannot see anyone, anywhere.” It is a call made strictly to maintain
safety. “No joy” responds to your wingman’s call that he has sighted a bandit that you cannot
see.
9.
During a horizontal scissors or weave, the nose-high aircraft shall go high and the nose-low
aircraft shall go low. The low aircraft has the responsibility for maintaining flight separation.
Always transmit your “call sign” and your intent. This will ensure you maintain the safety
bubble between aircraft. However, any delay in calling your intentions may seriously jeopardize
the safety of the flight.
10.
The aircraft in the sun is responsible for safe separation. If the “up-sun” aircraft loses sight,
broadcast, “Lost sight,” and maintain a predictable course. If the “down-sun” aircraft loses
sight, break off the attack, lag the “up-sun” aircraft and broadcast, “Lost sight.” If you are in
the sun, you are using a tremendously powerful tactic because it blinds the bandit. But
because he is blind, it is your responsibility to maintain the safe separation. Also, if the
weather is hazy, the sun creates a halo when you are looking down with the sun at your back.
If the bandit is in the halo area, he cannot see you.
11.
Maintain a 500-ft bubble around your aircraft at all times. Always assume the other aircraft
does not see you. This safety rule applies for training, both in the Training Command and in
the fleet. In the real world, though, you must consider your adversary. For instance, if you
maintain 500 ft on a head-on pass with a bandit who has forward-quarter weapons, you may be
putting yourself directly into his weapons envelope. In the real world, know who you will be
going up against as much as possible.
12.
On head-on passes, both aircraft will maintain the established trend. Where no trend exists,
each aircraft will give way to the right to create a left-to-left pass. Broadcast your intentions.
This is simply a rule of the road. You may have to change this rule in a situation where you do
not have enough maneuverability to pass left-to-left without crossing the bandit’s nose, which
would put you in a possible head-on midair. Maintain enough situational awareness to call your
intentions long before a possible midair situation develops.
13.
No blind lead turns. A blind lead turn is when your nose is out in front of the bandit’s flight
path, and you can’t see the bandit.
14.
A “G” awareness maneuver is required prior to ACM; aircrew who experience “GLOC” shall
immediately terminate ACM and return to base.
15.
Minimum range for guns tracking is 1,000 ft; head-on guns are prohibited. See the CNATRA
Weapons Envelope in the TacForm FTI.
(10-98) Original
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