Figure 6-4 Line Abreast

AIR FORCE T-38 TRACK INTERMEDIATES

CHAPTER 6

low-level navigation. The leader may call for a specific turn (e.g., Pork 21, 90 left), but is not

required to turn that amount exactly. The Wingman's primary reference is the flight Lead, not

the RMI! At low altitude the Wingman should anticipate the required heading change for pre-

planned turns to maintain course, but should still reference the Flight Lead to maintain position.

Line Abreast

After achieving the Tactical position, you will make your corrections in three steps; first, you

will fix your line abreast (Figure 6-4) from Lead, then your horizontal distance, then your

elevation. For line abreast references, you want to have Lead over your rank, over the wing spar

running out to the wingtip, with Lead's prop as a perfect up and down line.

Figure 6-4

Line Abreast

Power corrections are not going to show up very fast in Tactical, so you are going to have to

use energy (vertical, climb or descend) to attain your line abreast references. Lead should give

you a stable platform and should give the flight check turns as appropriate to help the flight keep

line abreast. Two of the references, the wing spar and the prop are great aids for assessing line

abreast. If you keep Lead on the wing spar and keep the prop as a vertical straight line, then you

will be line abreast. If you see Lead ahead or behind the wing spar or you see any of the prop

arc, then you are not line abreast.

Horizontal Separation

As you slide out to the Tactical position, you will see the detail of Lead's aircraft start to

diminish. Key in on the stars and stripes on the side of Lead's fuselage. At about 1200-1800

feet (.2 to .3 miles on the NACWS) of horizontal separation (Figure 6-5), you are going to

notice that the star is going to go from a five-pointed star to a white dot and the blue and white

stripes are going to blend together. Go no further out than the star looking like a white dot and

you are in the proper position. If you close in, you will start to see the detail in the star again and

the different color stripes, and the lead aircraft will just look bigger. Too far out, the white dot

will fade away and you will not be able to make out any detail on Lead's insignia.

T-38 FORMATION AREA WORK

6-15