Flight Procedures
Tactical Formation
High Yo-Yo
The high yo-yo is a lag pursuit maneuver designed to reduce angle off and closure rate (Figure 17).
It is used to prevent an in-close/low-to-medium angle off overshoot and to control nose-to-tail
separation. The out-of-plane maneuvering places the velocity vector of the fighter above the plane
of attack against the bandit and exchanges airspeed for altitude. The combination of the out-of-
plane maneuvering and the slower airspeed allows you to turn with a smaller horizontal radius while
aligning fuselages and reducing angle off the bandit. Slowing down also reduces your closure rate,
allowing you to maintain or increase nose-to-tail.
1
2
2
3
2
1
3
2
1
3
Defender
3
1
Attacker
Figure 17: HIGH YO-YO
Start the high yo-yo when you recognize excessive closure or potential overshoot. Quarter roll
away from the bandit’s maneuvering plane and pull the aircraft nose up. As you pull above the
bandit’s plane of maneuvering, you should be slowing sufficiently to stay inside the bandit’s turn. If
it becomes obvious that you will not be able to stay inside the bandit’s turn, maintain the pullup
until the bandit’s relative speed advantage results in increased nose-to-tail separation allowing you
sufficient separation to come down. As angle off decreases and you acquire appropriate nose-to-
tail distance, roll the aircraft back toward inside the turn. Overbank, pull the nose through the
horizon to the appropriate pursuit. A low-angle overshoot at range is far better than a high angle
overshoot in-close.
One other lag maneuver that can help displace lateral separation is the displacement roll (Figure
18). For this to be a valid option, your fuselage should be very nearly aligned with the bandit’s.
As you recognize excessive closure, attempt to align fuselages on the inside of the bandit’s turn.
Raise the nose above the bandit’s aircraft. Roll away from the turn toward the bandit’s six, varying
g as necessary to displace your flight path. Use rudder to maintain fuselage alignment. Control
(11-98) Original
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