Tactical Formation
Flight Procedures
RETURN TO HIGH COVER
If not engaging, continue until reaching approximately 1,000 ft of nose-to-tail. Ensure that you pass
no closer than 500 ft to the engaged fighter. Reduce AOB and increase back stick in order to fly
outside and above the engaged fighter’s turn. Be careful not to fly through the engaged fighter’s jet
wash and, as always, maintain sight of the engaged fighter. Continue above and outside the
engaged fighter’s turn until nose-to-tail distance matches that of the high-cover position.
ENGAGE
The free fighter should always be in position to engage from either high or low cover. As the free
fighter assumes the engaged role, he continues to pull inside the engaged fighter to acquire appro-
priate lead on the bandit. The engaged fighter relinquishes his role as he calls “Off,” rolls wings
level, and pulls noseup. The new engaged fighter winds up below and inside the new free fighter as
he continues moving into a high-cover position. The fighter who is engaging is responsible for safe
separation.
The free fighter is tasked with the overall responsibility for maintaining separation, keeping sight and
preserving the 500-ft bubble while either changing roles or transitioning from low/high cover. The
free fighter will never engage from forward of the 4/8 position of the engaged fighter because of the
midair potential. Both fighters are responsible for avoiding midair collisions. Although the engaged
fighter cannot always maintain visual contact, he must attempt to keep the free fighter in sight as
much as possible.
REVERSALS
The engaged fighter may call a bandit reversal anytime during the exercise by saying, “Bandit’s
reversed,” and the free fighter must maneuver his aircraft to stay in a cover position.
High Cover
The free fighter may use two maneuvers when reacting to the engaged fighter’s (bandit) reversals,
1) the displacement roll reversal, or 2) the basic reversal. Select the appropriate maneuver based
on your capability to keep sight and to maintain vertical and lateral separation.
Displacement Roll Reversal
When the engaged fighter reverses, reduce your AOB and raise the nose. Canopy roll to the outside
of the engaged fighter’s new turn and remain in high cover. Maintaining sight of the engaged fighter
is the primary advantage of this reversal.
Basic Reversal
As the engaged fighter crosses your nose, reverse to maintain the high-cover position. Momentarily
losing sight of the engaged fighter under your nose is the disadvantage of this maneuver.
Low Cover
When you hear the “bandit’s reversed” call from the engaged fighter, you reverse and either 1) pull
inside the engaged fighter’s turn and slide back into low cover or 2) move into high cover with the
appropriate voice call.
VARIATIONS
As you progress through the TacForm syllabus and become more proficient, your instructor will vary
the sequence of maneuvers. You will trade engaged and free fighter roles often during the loose
deuce exercise. Be prepared to react to a dynamic situation.
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