Figure 5-3 Aspect Angle

CHAPTER 5

AIR FORCE T-38 TRACK INTERMEDIATES

Aspect Angle (Figure 5-3) is the Wingman's relative position to Lead measured

from Lead's six o'clock. Aspect is used as a coordinate system when referencing Lead, 0

degrees aspect is Lead's tail, 18 is Lead's nose (short for "180") and 9 is for Lead's wingtip.

The coordinate system is three-dimensional so "9 aspect" on Lead can be either wingtip, or

Lead's belly, or the top of his canopy -- it is Lead perpendicular to Two in every case. Aspect

can be further broken down into intermediate numbers as well; the Rejoin line, for example, can

be thought of as a 4-5 aspect (meant to be 40 or 50 degrees off the tail) in either direction. You

will notice from Figure 5-3 that Aspect Angle is independent of Wing's heading; Aspect is

merely the picture Two sees on Lead.

Figure 5-3

Aspect Angle

5-14 T-38 FORMATION ADMIN