Figure 10-12 TACAN Rendezvous

CHAPTER TEN

BASIC FIGHTER MANEUVERS (BFM)

TACAN Rendezvous

A TACAN rendezvous is a procedure commonly used to rejoin a flight. Formations that have

been separated, or required to rejoin after a lost-sight scenario may also utilize a TACAN

rendezvous.

The section lead will commence his rendezvous turn at any pre-briefed TACAN fix, altitude,

direction of turn, and airspeed (usually 250 KIAS). Upon reaching the fix, the section leader will

call "[Call Sign] point 1", and commence a 30 angle-of-bank turn (Figure 10-12, left side). The

lead will call the four points of the circle as they are overflown. The wingman will maintain an

altitude separation of 1000 feet below the lead's pre-briefed altitude until both aircraft have each

other in sight. At this time, the wingman should fly, to affect a co-altitude rendezvous with the

lead on the inside of the lead's radius of turn (Figure 10-12, right side).

Figure 10-12 TACAN Rendezvous

In the above example, as the wingman arrives at Point 1/a, the lead is at Point 3/A. The

wingman should maneuver their aircraft (from a to b) to point its nose ahead of the lead's aircraft

that has maneuvered (from A to B). Using lead and lag the wing IP will rendezvous with the

lead. To expedite the rendezvous, the lead may choose to join on the wingman. Aircraft

positioning may make such a scenario (lead joining on wing) more effective. In either case, the

student in the joining aircraft will monitor closure and call out airspeeds as required.

Tail Chase Exercise

The purpose of the tail chase exercise is to introduce the "guns envelope" and basic offensive

maneuvering. The pursuit curves, closure rates, and the guns envelope described in chapter 9

will be demonstrated.

10-26

BASIC FIGHTER MANEUVERS (BFM)