Turning Rejoin - P-3670059

AIR FORCE T-38 TRACK INTERMEDIATES

CHAPTER 5

a. Procedure

(1)

Wing recognizes excessive closure approaching Route.

(2) Wingman turns aggressively away from Lead to establish a vector away and to

arrest line of sight.

(3)

Wingman simultaneously selects PCL idle, while lowering the nose.

(4)

Once overtake is under control the Wingman smoothly moves into the Fingertip

position.

514.

TURNING REJOIN

In Primary, you used radius of turn and the same airspeed as Lead to rejoin. In T-38 FORM

you are going to be able to use pursuit curves (radius of turn), power and altitude to get back into

position. The Turning Rejoin in T-38 FORM is intended to get Two in the Fingertip position

quickly and safely. Lead will signal a Turning Rejoin with a large wing rock so Two can see the

signal. The magnitude of Lead's wing rock should be commensurate with Two's distance from

Lead. If Two is 200 feet away, Lead does not have to use 90-degree angle of bank wing rocks;

likewise, if Two is more than 500 feet away, then exaggerated wing rocks will be appropriate so

that Wing can see them. To initiate the Turning Rejoin, Lead will clear in the direction of turn

and initiate the Turning Rejoin signal by rocking the wings with the first wing rock being in the

direction of the intended turn. For example, if the direction of Turning Rejoin will be to the

right, Lead will rock his wings three times with the first rock to the right. After the wing rock,

Lead will set the bank for the Turning Rejoin. The default setting for Lead will be 30 degrees of

bank at 150 knots. Lead can set anything he wants, but if it is going to be higher bank angles or

lower airspeeds, then Lead must notify Two of differing airspeeds only, no calls are required for

being more or less than 30 degrees of bank (Two should be able to figure this out). Two will

maneuver to the 45-degree rejoin line, with Lead's vertical stabilizer centered on the opposite

wing and place Lead slightly above the horizon (~50 feet). Wing will now use pursuit curves,

power, and altitude as required to rejoin. Unlike Primary, Two rejoins to the inside of the turn,

first stabilizing in Route, then moving slowly into Fingertip. The sequence of events for Two is

similar to Primary Forms. Two maneuvers to the Rejoin line (bearing line) while simultaneously

placing Lead slightly above the horizon. Imagine having Lead slightly above the horizon, and

running a slightly sucked on the bearing line Rejoin. In T-38 FORM, the Rejoin is more of a

power on, colder Rejoin than Primary's Breakup and Rendezvous. At two ship-widths, Wing

stabilizes in Route and then slowly slides into Fingertip. In T-38 FORM, you stay on the inside

of the turn, you will not cross under to the outside of the turn like in Primary Form. In order to

understand the Turning Rejoin tools for Wing, you must understand some of the Air Force

specific terminology when referencing Lead.

515.

ASPECT/ANGLE-OFF AND PURSUIT CURVES

Now we will cover the basics of maneuvering your aircraft in relation to another in a three-

dimensional arena. Aspect Angle and Angle-Off are two basic parameters that apply to every

situation where two or more aircraft maneuver three-dimensionally in relation to each other.

T-38 FORMATION ADMIN 5-13