Formation Communication Procedures

CHAPTER FIVE

STANDARD SECTION FORMATION PROCEDURES

of a team where individual errors affect the overall performance of the flight, each member of

the flight must do their utmost to make the flight function as a unit.

The Formation Leader. The formation leader, or lead, carries the primary responsibility of

conducting the sequence of maneuvers in an orderly manner. Additionally, the lead has the

primary responsibility for communications. They must always keep the following in mind:

Keep the flight clear of other aircraft.

Keep the flight clear of clouds if possible.

Keep the flight within the proper operating areas and comply with local course rules.

4. Be considerate of their wingmen by giving ample time for acknowledgement of signals

before execution.

The Wingman. The wingman is responsible for flight integrity. It is their duty to:

Maintain position and avoid collision with the lead.

Answer all hand signals and radio calls from the lead promptly.

3. Back up the lead's navigation and maintain situational awareness such that he could

assume the flight lead responsibilities at any point, if required.

503. FORMATION COMMUNICATION PROCEDURES

Formation communications include verbal as well as nonverbal (i.e., hand signals) comms.

Clear communications within a formation is essential for mission accomplishment.

Verbal Communication

During the T-2C portion of your training at VT-86, whenever flying in section or division, UHF

communications will always consist of positive check-outs and check-ins on all frequencies. The

single radio limitation in the T-2C makes disciplined frequency switches essential to good

section coordination.

Example

DEPARTURE: "ROKT 260, contact Seabreeze on 313.2."

LEAD OUI: "ROKT 260 switching 313.2, Turbo button 15."

WING OUI: "Two."

LEAD OUI (on button fifteen after a thumbs-up): "Turbo."

5-2 STANDARD SECTION FORMATION PROCEDURES