Tactical Formation
Flight Procedures
Wingman
Lead
Figure 5: CRUISE TURN INTO WINGMAN
Into Wingman
The lead initiates cruise turns into the wingman (Figure 5) by transmission/response or wing flash. The
lead begins a 30-degree AOB turn into the wingman while maintaining his altitude and 300 KIAS. The
wingman simultaneously initiates his turn with 10-20 degree AOB turn, varying his AOB according to his
distance abeam from the lead. The wingman passes approximately 2000 feet ahead of the lead with a 15-
20 degree heading differential, maintaining his AOB until the lead disappears below and behind him. As
the lead passes below and behind the wingman’s six o’clock, he checks the wingman’s six and calls, “Six
clear.” As the lead disappears, the wingman counts 2-4 seconds, then rolls into a 45-60 degree AOB turn
until acquiring sight of the lead. After re-acquiring, he will check the lead’s six and call, “Visual, six clear.”
The wingman adjusts AOB and nose attitude for the remainder of the turn to arrive in combat spread as
the lead rolls out of his 90-degree turn.
If you start the turn acute, raise the nose to slow down initially, using less AOB than normal before the lead
crosses your six. After the lead crosses, use more AOB than normal to arrive in combat spread.
If you start the turn sucked, lower the nose to increase airspeed initially, using more AOB than normal
before the lead crosses your six. After the lead crosses, use less AOB than normal to arrive in combat
spread.
If you start the turn wide, initially use less AOB than normal before the lead crosses your six. After the
lead crosses, use more AOB than normal to arrive in combat spread.
If you start the turn close, initially use more AOB than normal before the lead crosses your six. After the
lead crosses, use less AOB than normal to arrive in combat spread.
(4-03) Original
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