Chapter Six Formation Emergencies

CHAPTER SIX

FORMATION EMERGENCIES

600. INTRODUCTION

Two general points can be made pertaining to formation emergencies. First, the aircraft with the

emergency informs the other aircraft (requests the lead if necessary) and handles the emergency

IAW NATOPS. Second, within the formation, each aircraft stands ready to lend assistance to

another in an emergency situation. This assistance may be in the form of checklist backup,

location of nearest airfields, communication coordination, exterior aircraft inspection, and/or a

stable platform for Wingman to reference. The type of assistance obviously varies with the type

of emergency however, quick and accurate communications (Hydraulic, Engine, Fuel, Oxygen,

Electrical (HEFOE) if necessary) will greatly aid in coordination of a safe recovery.

NOTE

Avoid the potential tendency to assist to the point of jumping in the

emergency aircraft's cockpit. A good technique, even if you are

Lead, is to be prepared to offer any assistance when REQUESTED.

The emergencies listed in the T-6A NATOPS Manual and NATOPS Pocket Checklist are to be

used as in previous training. However, there are a few unique considerations pertaining to

formation flying which will be covered in the following paragraphs.

601. ABORTS

Serious thought must be given to the possible alternatives an aircrew has in the event an abort

situation should arise. There are two prime considerations in such cases; first, the safe abort of

the aircraft experiencing difficulty and secondly, the safety of the remaining aircraft in the flight.

For this reason, the runway centerline is treated as a brick wall not to be crossed while another

aircraft is in the vicinity. Better to go off the runway than hit a playmate.

It is impossible to list all of the possible situations that might arise. What follows are the

procedural guidelines for the general situation of an abort. These guidelines are just that and

should be tempered with sound judgment and decisive action on the part of the aircrew of the

aircraft involved.

In general, for the T-6A aircraft, the following principles should be applied along with NATOPS

procedures:

1. Single Aircraft Abort. No sympathetic aborts. If one aircraft aborts, the other aircraft

should continue the takeoff unless the abort comes prior to brake release. In all cases there is no

substitute for good judgment. A short voice report should be made as soon as possible (i.e.,

"(Tactical Call sign), Lead is aborting").

FORMATION EMERGENCIES

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