Break and Re-join Flashcards
Name some scenarios in which you would break out of formation?
Bad PIO
Lose sight of the lead
Excessive closure rate
Zoom through/past when trying to achieve the waiting position
If you are unhappy at any time with the safety of the formation
How will the lead clear you for a break and re-join?
A flick of the hand
How should you break out of formation?
Simultaneously:
- Full power
- 50-60 deg. AoB
- 2-3g pull (trousers inflate)
Out and Up - “C/S out”
Maintain for 4 seconds - Reverse
Aim to be parallel to the leader, stand up the throttle - Look for the formation
If visual - “C/S visual”
Leader will clear you to join (consider a FOEL check whilst you are out)
How should you re-join the formation from a S&L break out?
Once you have called visual and been cleared to re-join:
Dive to position BEHIND + BELOW - Pwr as req. to achieve 30kts overtake (leader SOP speed will be 180KIAS)
Vertically place leader approx. 1 relative span above the horizon
Laterally 2 spans out
MUST MAINTAIN THIS DURING CLOSURE
Scan: Lookout - Leader - Speed
State your escape path
As the lead blooms - throttle back (spd brk if req.) to achieve the waiting position
Fwd (rear ref.) - Up (split wing) - In (front ref.)
As you call visual and prepare to be cleared to re-join the formation after a break out, what should you consider doing if you have time?
Quick FOEL check
How will practice of the turning join be set up?
Lead will put the formation in to Echelon
Lead calls “turning join, go”
Lead breaks away LEVEL, 60 deg. AoB, reducing to 30 deg. AoB after 135 deg. of turn, 180KIAS
Wingmen follow at 3 second intervals:
- First wingman is automatically cleared to join
- Second maintains outside 700ft until cleared to join
How is the turning join flown up to the transition?
Fly towards the centre of the leader’s turn
Initially aim to put the leader about 2 relative aircraft lengths above the horizon in the 10/2 o’clock position
Maintain max 20kts overtake (200kts, lead will fly 180kts SOP)
Lookout-Leader-Speed
Adjust AoB so that the top of the lead’s fin appears to bisect their outside wing halfway along its span
Maintain vertical separation as you close
Transition = Go from seeing the top of the lead’s wing to the bottom
How is the final portion of the turning join flown when joining inside (after transition)?
Lead’s registration becomes clearly defined and you transition through the leader’s plane to be looking at the underside of their wings (equivalent to the ‘bloom’)
Control closure using power and bank to establish in the waiting position
Once in the waiting position it is as per a S&L join - ignore the bank and horizon and focus on the references on the Lead.
Fwd (elevator leading edge) - Up (split wing) - In (pitot probe and exhaust stack)
NEVER cross the leader’s 6 o’clock unless specifically cleared to do so by the lead.
How is the final portion of the turning join flown when joining outside (after transition)?
Transition through the leader’s wingline, then smoothly cross to the outside of the turn, following the leader’s wingline, NOT the horizon.
In to the waiting position, then join as normal.
First aircraft to join will join to the outside - the clearance is assumed for the first aircraft and that includes permission to move along the leader’s wingline through their 6.
You have excessive closure or unsafe positioning during a turning join, how should you safely escape?
Escape to the outside of the turn by reducing AoB and maintaining the leader/formation ABOVE the horizon in order to pass BEHIND and BELOW.
Keep them in sight.
Must escape out along the HORIZON - Vital that you do not escape out along the leader’s wingline as another aircraft may have already joined in the outside position.
Also vital that you do not cross back to the inside of the turn UNLESS cleared to do so by the leader as another aircraft may be joining.
