Tactical Formation
Flight Procedures
High Yo-Yo
The high yo-yo is a lag pursuit maneuver designed to reduce angle off and closure rate (Figure 20). 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
bogey 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 bogey. 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 20: HIGH YO-YO
Start the high yo-yo when you recognize excessive closure or potential overshoot. Quarter roll away from
the bogey’s maneuvering plane and pull the aircraft nose up. As you pull above the bogey’s plane of
maneuvering, you should be slowing sufficiently to stay inside the bogey’s turn. If it becomes obvious that
you will not be able to stay inside the bogey’s turn, maintain the pull-up until the bogey’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.
Even though a minimum of 1000 feet of nose-to-tail distance is desirable, how much more you will need
depends on how large a yo-yo is required. As you initiate the pulldown, the bogey will continue to extend
because it takes time to reconvert your altitude advantage into airspeed. Roll your lift vector below and
inside the bogey’s turn to a lead pursuit solution.
(4-03) Original
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