Two--Plane Road Reconnaissance
Operational Navigation Flight Training Instruction
The important concept to grasp for off-heading shackles is that the aircraft moving from the outside of the
turn to the inside must stop the downrange travel by aggressively turning (14 units) approximately 75
degrees. The aircraft moving from the inside to the outside must project to the position on the outside of
the turn using little or no turn to get there. Since this aircraft will pass in front of the one going to the inside
of turn, it is his job to time the reversal to the new heading. This will appear to be when the wingman
approaches the front aircraft's five thirty to six o'clock position. (Figure 9)
One of the most useful purposes of the shackle is to expeditiously redress a formation that is out of
position. If the wingman is more than 30 degrees out of position (one clock code), the shackle will be
useful. If the wingman is less than 30 degrees behind, the sucked wingman will be able to get to position
relatively quickly (Figure 10). As soon as the lead realizes the section is out of position, the lead should
call for a shackle. If the wingman realizes the section is out of position, he should say "recommend
shackle" followed by his relative position to lead if the lead doesn't have sight.
If you are in a sucked position, your job is to project the nose of your aircraft in front of the acute aircraft's
flight path and continue to hold closure, if you have any established. Avoid turning toward the acute
wingman's side of the formation placing the nose of your aircraft aft of the aircraft in front. This is an
undesired lag pursuit that will reduce the speed and effectiveness of the shackle.
Lead
Lead
Wingman
Wingman
Figure 10: POSITION CORRECTING SHACKLE
Figure 9: OFF HEADING SHACKLE TURN
(7-99) Original
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