Flight Procedures
Tactical Formation
Check Turns
The lead initiates the turn (Figure 7) by calling, “[Call
sign], check left/right [# of degrees].” The turn may
be 30 degrees or less. The wingman acknowledges,
“[Two].” Both members of the section immediately
turn to the new heading, with the wingman correcting
to maintain combat spread position.
SHACKLE TURNS
Shackle turns cross the wingman from one side of
combat spread to the other or redress the flight in an
expedient manner (Figure 8). The lead initiates the
turn by calling, “[Call sign], shackle [heading].” The
wingman acknowledges with “[Two].”
Ideally, both aircraft turn into each other at 14 units.
If the maneuver is begun in proper combat spread
position, both the lead and wingman will conduct
about a 45-degree turn prior to the reversal. If the
wingman is sucked at the beginning of the maneuver,
he should use less pull and less turn prior to the
Lead
Wingman
reversal. If the wingman is acute prior to the
maneuver, he should use a harder pull toward the
Figure 7: CHECK TURN
lead in an attempt to pull more than 45 degrees prior
to the reversal. The subsequent turn
out of the reversal should be adjusted
so that the wingman rolls out in proper
combat spread. The lead may have
the flight shackle about the original
heading or up to about 30 degrees off
the original heading. The wingman
should adjust his pull and time his
reversal accordingly to arrive out of the
turn in combat spread on the heading
called for by the lead.
ENGAGING TURNS
Engaging turns maneuver the section
to engage a bandit who is not an
immediate threat. Therefore, they are
energy-sustaining turns. In an actual
combat arena, these turns are normally
called by the first aircraft (tactical lead)
with the tally. However, in the
CNATRA environment, they will be
called by the lead. There are three
types of engaging turns: tactical (Tac)
Figure 8: SHACKLE TURN
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