Chapter 6 (B) - Basic Formation

Question 1

An FCP position abeam the slab bolt provides approximately __ ft wingtip separation

Answer 1

3

Question 2

FCP reference for fingertip line

Answer 2

FCP looking down the leading edge of lead’s wing

Question 3

Maximum G and bank, and airspeed range for wingwork exervise

Answer 3

3Gs and 90 degrees of bank

Airspeed range: approximately 200-400 KCAS

Question 4

Spacing for route position

Answer 4

2 ship widths out to approximately 500 feet

Question 5

Line for route position

Answer 5

No further aft than fingertip line, no further forward than line abreast

Question 6

Stack for route position

Answer 6

Stack level when wings level

On the inside of a turn stack slightly below leads POM only as necesary to keep lead in sight

On the outside of a turn, maintain the same vertical references used in echelon

Question 7

Maximum bank angle with wingman in route

Answer 7

60 degrees

Question 8

During a climb in route, what should the stack be for wingman?

Answer 8

Strive to stack slightly high signaling to lead that the wingman has more power available

Question 9

Chase position requirements

Answer 9

30 to 60 degree cone out to 1000 feet

Question 10

Airspeed for echelon turns

Answer 10

Echelon turns can be flown at a variety of airspeeds. A common technique as lead is to initiate echelon turns between 300 and 350 KCAS and to minimize throttle movements during the turn in order to give the wingmen a more stable platform to follow

Question 11

In an echelon turn, plan to limit bank to ___.

Answer 11

60 degrees maximum

Question 12

Stack reference for echelon turn

Answer 12

One established in a turn, the horizon should split lead’s lower intake

Question 13

In four ship formation, what happens when lead signals a wingdip towards #2?

Answer 13

Crossunder for #3 and #4. #3 begins smoothly dropping down and aft in a normal crossunder and establishes nose tail separation off #2. As #3 begins the crossunder, #4 performs a crossunder on #3, normally crossing #3’s 6 o’clock as #3 crosses behind lead. #4 anticipates LOS rates and power changes to avoid falling aft.

Question 14

In four ship formation, what happens when lead signals a wingdip towards #3?

Answer 14

Crossunder for #2. #3 should move out of the way to create space for #2.

Question 15

What happens when lead signals a wing dip away from a 4-ship formation in echelon?

Answer 15

Directs the entire formation to change sides. Ideally, as #2 begins the crossunder, all wingmen move together and should be in a straight line off lead at the 6 o’clock position.

Question 16

Airspeed for a pitchout

Answer 16

300 KCAS unless briefed or directed otherwise

Question 17

What is the purpose of a pitchout

Answer 17

To provide spacing for a rejoin or follow-on maneuvering

Question 18

How long will wingman delay after lead executes the pitchout?

Answer 18

5 seconds (or as briefed)

Question 19

A 5 second delay provides approximately ___ spacing for a pitchout.

Answer 19

1 NM

Question 20

Three ways to create spacing during “take spacing”

Answer 20

Wingman maneuvers

Wingman deceleration

Lead acceleration

Question 21

Lead will acknowledge the wingman’s “practice lost wingman” radio call by transmitting ____, ____, ____, ___ and other parameters as required.

Answer 21

Attitude, altitude, heading, airspeed

Question 22

Chairfly practice lost wingman comm example: (callsign - Bully 01 and 02)

Answer 22

Bully 01: “Bully 2, Go practice lost wingman”

Bully 02: “2”. “Bully 2 is practice lost wingman”

Bully 01: “Bully 1, wings level, 18000, heading 350, 300 knots”

Bully 02: “2”, “Bully 2, visual”

Question 23

For standard turning rejoin from basic formation positions (other than tactical), what airspeed and bank angle should be maintianed by lead?

Answer 23

300 KCAS, 30 degrees of bank

Question 24

Standard tactical turning rejoin airspeed and bank angle

Answer 24

350 KCAS, 45 degrees of bank

Question 25

For a straight ahead rejoin, when initiating the maneuver from behind lead, using power for closure, ____ knots of overtake is usually adequate when starting from ____ spacing

Answer 25

50 knots

1 nm in trail

Question 26

For a straight ahead rejoin, when initiating the maneuver from behind lead, approaching ____ feet, modulate power to arrive at ___ feet with approximately ___ to ___ knots of overtake

Answer 26

2000’

2000’ with 20-30

Question 27

At 2000’ lead’s wingspan is approximately ___ mils. What is the visual reference for this amount of mils?

Answer 27

13, the width of the boresight/gun cross

Question 28

Visual reference for 1500’ trail spacing

Answer 28

The figure eight design of the two tailpipes is visible, but two seperate engines are not distinguishable

Question 29

For 3 and 4 ship rejoins, maintain a minimum of ____ ft spacing from the preceding aircraft until that aircraft has stabilized in route. Rejoining aircraft will cross below the preceding aircraft’s jet wash with a minimum of _____.

Answer 29

500 ft

Nose tail clearance

Question 30

Initial actions for #2 in a turning rejoin to #2 (inside of turn)

Answer 30

1. Begin a turn in the same direction as lead to create lead pursuit
2. Simultaneously establish
   • vertical seperation
   • establish ~30 knots of airspeed overtake
   • adjust lead and lag pursuit to maintain moderate
     aspect angle

Question 31

During a turning rejoin, wingmen should establish and maintain about ___ ft of vertical separation below lead’s POM until stabilized in route formation.

Answer 31

50

Question 32

Technique for determining 50 ft vertical separation below lead’s POM in a TRJ

Answer 32

Use the length of lead’s jet above the horizon

Question 33

How much airspeed overtake should be used for low, medium, and high aspect rejoins respectively when within 3000 ft of lead

Answer 33

Low - less than 50 knots

Medium - less than 30 knots

High - less than 10 knots

Question 34

When are the four times you should execute a breakout

Answer 34

1. Directed by lead
2. Unable to maintain sight of lead
3. Unable to rejoin or remain in formation without crossing under or in front of lead
4. Any time your presence constitutes a hazard to the formation

Question 35

How is close trail initiated?

Answer 35

Lead initiates close trail with a radio call from fingertip, echelon, or route

Question 36

G limits for close trail

Answer 36

Maintain a minimum of 1 G at all times. Use no more than 4 Gs for close trail.

Question 37

What is one noteworthy limitation about the maneuvers that can be performed in close trail

Answer 37

Over-the-top maneuvering in close trail is not permitted

Question 38

What is the proper position for close trail

Answer 38

1 to 2 ship lengths behind lead

Just below lead’s jet wash

Question 39

What is the visual reference for the correct vertical position in close trail

Answer 39

You should see space between the forward edge of lead’s horizontal stabilator and the trailing edge of lead’s wing. To prevent encountering jet wash, never fly higher than a position where that space disappears.

Question 40

What is the visual reference for the correct fore/aft separation in close trail

Answer 40

Use the relationship beween the tips of lead’s horizontal stabilator and the ailerons.

1 Ship Length: Stab tips are lined up with outer 2/3 of ailerons

2 Ship Length: Stab tips are lined up with the mid-point of the ailerons

Question 41

What is the definition of the fighting wing

Answer 41

30 to 45 degree cone

500 to 1500 ft aft

Question 42

How can you approximate the forward limit (45 AA) of the fighting wing cone?

Answer 42

Aligning lead’s wingtip with the middle of the aft canopy

Apparent length is 30% longer than apparent wingspan

Question 43

How can you approximate the aft limit (30 AA) of the fighting wing cone?

Answer 43

Aligning lead’s wingtip with the nose of the aircraft

Apparent length equals apparent wingspan

Question 44

References for measuring 500 ft range

Answer 44

You should easily read lead’s tail number

Question 45

References for measuring 1000 ft range

Answer 45

You should easily see, but not be able to read, lead’s tail number

And you should be able to discern two separate tail pipes

Question 46

Can lead fly aerobatic maneuvers with the wingman in fighting wing?

Answer 46

No? I guess ET is something else.