Lead Change - P-5530129

JOINT ADVANCED MULTI-ENGINE T-44A

maintain airspeed.

(a)

Lead. When level at 150 KIAS check the Wing in the starboard parade position and clear the

area. Transmit "Standby breakup and rendezvous." When Wing responds, sharply roll to left

45 AOB. Maintain altitude and airspeed for 180 of turn, report rollout heading to Wing.

Roll out smartly on heading, fine-tuning airspeed, altitude, and trim. Upon receipt of Wing's

"column" report, roll the aircraft sharply to 45 left AOB initially (flash) and then decrease to

20 AOB. Maintain 20 AOB, airspeed, and altitude until Wing reports in position. The

maneuver is considered complete when Wing reports "Two's aboard starboard."

(b)

Wing. As the Lead approaches the ten o'clock position, break left at 45 AOB while

descending 200 feet. Maintain 150 KIAS throughout the maneuver. MAINTAIN VISUAL

CONTACT WITH THE LEAD AIRCRAFT. Vary AOB as necessary to establish interval.

The easiest way to do this is to keep the leader at your eleven o'clock position during the

breakup turn. Once in trail with Lead positioned slightly above the glare-shield, transmit

"Column." When you see Lead's wing "flash," turn out of column using 20-30 degrees AOB

to get inside Lead's radius of turn. Adjust AOB as necessary to move onto the 60 bearing

line. Getting on the bearing and staying there may require significant AOB corrections. If

Lead's outboard wingtip becomes visible aft of the vertical stabilizer, you are too far behind

the bearing or sucked. Correct this by increasing AOB. If Lead's outboard wingtip becomes

visible forward of the vertical stabilizer, you are too far ahead of the bearing or acute. Correct

this by decreasing AOB until the correct position is attained. Throughout the rendezvous, use

power as required to maintain 150 KIAS.

(c)

Radius of turn controls closure rate. With the same airspeed as Lead and on bearing, you

should have a comfortable closure rate. As you get closer to Lead, maintain the 60 bearing

by keeping the leading tip of the horizontal stabilizer slightly above the star insignia.

(d)

Join-up. The join-up phase of the rendezvous begins when the distance between aircraft is

approximately 100-200 feet. Adjust position to the 45 "double step-down." Stabilize

momentarily, then use AOB and power to cross under and up into starboard parade position

outside the leader's radius of turn. This will require a power increase since you will be

moving outside Lead's turn radius and climbing approximately 40' at the same time. Report

aboard when stable in the starboard parade position.

(13) Lead Change. Poor coordination during lead changes has been the cause of numerous mishaps,

therefore they must be executed smoothly and exactly. Initiate Lead changes from straight and level flight

with Wing in the port parade or starboard parade position. All lead changes are made with Wing moving

into position on the left side of Lead. When Lead is prepared for a lead change, signal Wing with

"Cleared for lead change." Wing will respond "Two."

If maneuvering from starboard parade, execute a crossunder, but do not stabilize in port parade. Continue

moving out to a lateral wingtip-to-wingtip separation of approximately 100' while moving slowly forward

of Lead's wingtip, and to a slight step-up position. If maneuvering from a port parade position just take

lateral separation while moving abeam Lead and to a slight step-up position. During maneuvering, it is

Wing's responsibility to maintain safe separation from Lead. When Wing is at Lead's 9:30-10 o'clock

position, Wing reports "401 in position for the lead." Lead will then transmit "401 you have the lead." The

new leader will acknowledge, "401 has the lead." At this point, the old Lead/new Wing is responsible for

maintaining safe separation and will move aft and down into the starboard parade position. The new Lead

will maintain straight and level flight until the new Wing reports "Two's aboard starboard."

(14) Recovery. Wing will obtain, and pass to Lead, the current ATIS information to determine the

runway in use and the type of recovery to be executed

Normally, since formation IMC recoveries are not performed, it may be necessary to separate the formation

to recover. If the decision is made to recover individually, proceed as briefed. Lead will detach his/her

Wing, letting him recover first.

If weather permits a VMC recovery proceed via course rules. Transmit "Hang with me" to Wing; this

means the flight will continue without further maneuver commands. Lead should concentrate on making

5-8

FORMATION STAGE