Tactical Formation
Flight Procedures
Wingman
Lead
Figure 6: CRUISE TURN AWAY FROM WINGMAN
Away from Wingman
The lead initiates cruise turns away from the wingman (Figure 6) by transmission/response or wing flash.
The lead begins a 30-degree AOB turn, maintaining his altitude and 300 KIAS. The wingman
simultaneously initiates his turn toward the inside of the lead’s turn, using 45-60 degrees AOB, and slightly
lowering his nose to accelerate. After 45 degrees of turn the wingman passes approximately 2000 feet aft
and slightly below the lead with a 15-20 degree heading advantage and a 25-30 knot airspeed advantage.
The wingman should not need more than a 50-knot airspeed advantage. As the wingman passes aft and
below the lead, he checks the lead’s six and calls, “Six clear.” The lead rolls out of the turn after 90
degrees and obtains a visual and checks the wingman’s six before calling, “Visual, six clear.” The
wingman then decreases AOB to 15-20 degrees and adjusts nose attitude to arrive in combat spread.
If you start the turn acute or close, delay 3-4 seconds, lower the nose less than normal, and initially use
more AOB before crossing the lead’s six. After crossing, use less AOB than normal to arrive in combat
spread.
If you start the turn sucked, lower the nose more than normal and initially use less AOB before crossing
the lead’s six. After crossing, use more AOB than normal to arrive in combat spread.
If you start the turn wide, lower the nose more than normal and initially use more AOB before crossing the
lead’s six. After crossing, use less AOB than normal to arrive in combat spread.
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