FO101 - Intro to Formation/Visual Signals Flashcards
What are the Wing responsibilities?
Maintain Position (PSI)
Mutual Support
Formation Integrity
Responsibilities: (SMART) Sight (keep lead in sight) Monitor lead Aware (stay aware) Radios (assist with radios) Trust lead
What are the lead responsibilities?
Clearing Planning Monitoring Wingman Navigation Communication
What are the fingertip distance parameters?
30º behind
10 feet apart
slightly below
What is the purpose of Route?
More separation
Enhances Clearing
In-flight checks/Radio calls
Allows wingman to relax
What are the distance parameters for Route?
Line abreast to 30º Line
Two ship widths to 500 feet
Slightly below
What is the max bank for Echelon Turn?
60º used in traffic pattern
ALWAYS turn away from wingman
Position changes will only be accomplished when?
Route position, wings level
What is the difference between “go” and “push” for channel frequency changes?
Go requires response
Push has no response
What does a wing rock mean?
Pay attention to that aircraft
What does a wing rock from lead while in route, indicate?
Go fingertip
Initiate in-flight checks by ____________
radio or visual signal***
What are two ways can number 1 signal for an in-flight check?
Radio or visual
What is the signal for Knock-it-off with radio out?
Continuous wing rock
Run up engine for takeoff
Hold hand closest to number 2 up, index finger extended and make small, rapid circular motion
Both crews run up engines, check flight instruments, and set takeoff power/rpm
Ready for takeoff
After number 1 is ready for takeoff, number 1 looks at number 2
Number 2 gives appropriate head nod showing readiness
Start takeoff roll
After number 2 signals ready for takeoff
Number 1 places head back toward headrest
Number 1 brings head forward for brake release
Number 2 releases brakes at same time as number 1
When does number 2 raise his gear?
When he sees number 1’s gear begin to retract and you are sure you will remain airborne
Lower gear
Fist with thumb extended downward against side of helmet
Move forearm up and down
Lower gear on head nod
Lower flaps
Make flapping motion with forearm pointed rearward
Head nod - Number 2 should also watch number 1’s flaps
Not required for formation wing takeoffs
Extend speed brake
Palm down, fingers extended
Make biting motion
Head nod
Frequency Change
Preset - Tap headset with fingers and extend appropriate number of fingers. Pull hand down between digits
Prebriefed manual - Tap helmet, hold clenched fist next to helmet
Manual frequency not prebriefed
Fuel check and fuel remaining
Drinking motion (May be used for in-flight check)
Fuel remaining - Extend one finger for each 1000 lbs of fuel
After signaling 1000 lb increments, pull hand out of sight then signal 100 lbs increments in the same manner
Oxygen system check
Number 1 - cup hand over oxygen mask, followed by an OK sign
Number 2 - mimic signal if oxygen signal is OK
Battle Damage check
Make check mark forward towards canopy
Number 2 executes prebriefed check
Attention in the air
Rapid, shallow rocking of the wings
Route signal
Slow pushing motion away with palm of hand
Reform/tighten formation
Rock wings slowly
Crossunder
Dip wing in the desired direction of the crossunder
Pitchout
Make a circular motion with vertically extended index finger
Echelon turn
Raise hand with index and little finger extended
Position Change (Air Force)
Make several forward pointing motions, then hold up number of fingers to indicate present position of aircraft which is to assume the number 1
Position Change (Navy)
Change Number 1 - Pat self on head while looking forward, then looks and points to number 2
Bailing out/ejection
Face curtain signal
Descend to lower altitude
Hold hand at top of canopy, palm down and move hand forward and down
Desire to land
Make a landing motion with hand. As an alternate signal, lower the landing gear
I must land immediately
Closed fist, thumb down, at top of canopy.
Move arm up and down rapidly
Do not confuse with “GEAR DOWN” signal
I must land on your wing
Pat opposite shoulder, palm down
Other pilot gives OK signal
Basic approach speed of 130 KIAS (one finger for each 10 knot increase)
Distressed aircraft lands; escort executes low approach
No Radio (Receiver or Transmitter)
Receiver - Tap earphone of helmet, move hand over the ear position forward and backward
Transmitter - Tap microphone or oxygen mask and move hand up and down in front of visor
HEFOE
Initial signal - fist bump the top of the canopy
1 finger - Hydraulic 2 - Electrical 3 - Fuel 4 - Oxygen 5 - Engine Clenched fist - Multiple system failures
Repeat signal back to ensure correct message received
Hand signal Climb Check
In climb, oxygen system check signal
Cup hand over oxygen mask, followed by an OK sign
OPS check hand signal
Drinking motion (thumb on mask, head tilted back)
OBOGS status radio call
Texan 1, OBOGS good
2 OBOGS good
Fuel and G Check radio call
Texan 1, 800, 4.0 G
2, 800, 4.5 G
Traffic in sight/not in sight radio calls
Tally Ho
No Joy
Knock-it-off radio calls
Any flight member: “TEXAN, KNOCK-IT-OFF”
“TEXAN 1, KNOCK-IT-OFF”
“TEXAN 2, KNOCK-IT-OFF”
What is commonly used when number 2 wants to reestablish proper position then continue with the maneuver?
“TERMINATE” call
Aircraft will: Cease maneuvering Clear their flight path Acknowledge the radio call Proceed as briefed or directed
Example: Number 2 calls “TEXAN TERMINATE”,
reply: “TEXAN 1 TERMINATE”, “TEXAN 2 TERMINATE”
Number 1 smoothly transitions to a shallow turn or level flight
Number 2 reestablishes proper position then calls” TEXAN 2’s IN”
Which aircraft normally takes number 1 in an emergency?
The emergency aircraft
How often and in which situations should number 1 offer lead to the emergency aircraft?
1 When emergency occurs
2 On recovery when VFR
3 On final with field in sight
What is the procedure for a formation midair collision?
Do no attempt to maintain formation
Number 1 should coordinate for separate clearances and chase ships
Both aircraft should accomplish controllability check
Formation in-flight check are normally performed in what position during VMC?
Route
What is the radio call if number 2 sees traffic 2 o’ clock position low at 3 miles?
“TEXAN 1, TRAFFIC RIGHT 2 O’CLOCK, SLIGHTLY LOW, 3 MILES”
How should formation taxi be positioned relative to the wind?
Number 1 on downwind side
Number 2 on upwind side
If wind or weather is not a factor, where should number 2 be positioned for takeoff?
Position number 2 on the inside of the turn
Where should number 2 be positioned for takeoff if weather is a factor?
On the outside of the first turn (to simplify lost wingman procedures)
Number 2 will line up on the fingertip line on takeoff with a minimum of ____ feet lateral wingtip clearance.
20 feet
On takeoff, number should set approximately how much torque?
85-95%
After takeoff, when should number 2 move to the fingertip position?
Maintain “stack level” until gear and flaps are retracted, the aircraft cleaned up, and the After Takeoff check complete.
What are the weather minimums for an interval takeoff?
3sm, 1500’ ceiling
Explain the takeoff procedure for number 1 during an interval takeoff.
Takeoff using MAX power
When airborne at a minimum of 160 KIAS, reduce power to 85-90% and maintain 160 KIAS to allow number 2 an airspeed advantage during closure
Once number 2 is in position, resume normal airspeeds
Number 2 should release brakes 6 seconds after number 1 starts moving
What are the fingertip maneuvering limitations for bank, Gs and speed?
Max 90º of bank, 2 to 3 Gs, minimum of 120 knots
What is the SMART acronym for number 2?
Keep number 1 in SIGHT at all times
MONITOR number 1’s aircraft operation and configuration
Remain AWARE of flight routing and collision potential
Monitor RADIOS
TRUST number 1 and follow directions
Which direction are echelon turns always made? What is the maximum allowable bank in echelon turns?
Away from number 2
60º max bank
How does aspect angle, closure, and angle off change with LEAD, PURE, and LAG persuit?
LEAD Persuit
Aspect angle INCREASES
Closure INCREASES
Angle off DECREASES
Pure Persuit
Aspect angle NEUTRAL
Closure INCREASES
Angle off NEUTRAL
LEAD Persuit
Aspect angle DECREASES
Closure DECREASES
Angle off INCREASES
Explain the pitchout visual signal and procedure.
1 gives same visual signal as engine runup
2 acknowledges
1 clears and rolls crisply into 60º bank for 180º turn
2 waits 5 seconds after 1 initiates turn, then matches the turn and rolls out behind number 1
This maneuver sets the formation up for a rejoin
What is “Take Spacing” and how is it accomplished?
Used when a pitchout may not be feasible
1 directs 2 to take spacing
Number 2 will acknowledge, and drop back to the briefed spacing by using power, speed brake, and maneuvering
What is the visual signal and procedure for a turning rejoin?
Usually completed after a “pitchout” or “take spacing”
1 signals to rejoin with large wing rock (60º or more), then establishes 30º of bank and slow to 180 KIAS
2 increases airspeed 20 KIAS above rejoin speed and establishes a lead persuit
When the vertical stabilizer of 1 approximately bisects his outside wing, reduce angle of bank to maintain reference
Approach route, adjust power and use speed brake as necessary to establish 10 knots overtake or less
2 then closes to fingertip
During a rejoin, what should 2 do if he is overtaking 1 too quickly?
Overshoot maneuver
What are the parameters of fighting wing?
30-45º cone
500-1000 feet aft
What is the radio call for fighting wing?
“TEXAN, GO FIGHTING WING”
What 3 positions can number 1 initiate close trail?
Fingertip, Echelon, or Route
What is the visual signal to go close trail?
Open hand on back of helmet
Unless directed otherwise, which side should number 2 rejoin when straight and level?
Left side
What is the radio call from number 2 when established in close trail?
“TEXAN 2’s IN”
What is the lost wingman procedure for wings level?
Number 2 turns away 15º bank for 15 sec then resume course
What is the lost wingman procedure for number 2 inside turn?
Number 2 reduces power and tells number 1 to roll out
Number 1 rolls out of turn and may resume turn after separation ensured
What is the lost wingman procedure for Number 2 outside turn?
Number 2 reverses direction 15º bank for 15 sec before resuming course
What is the lost wingman procedure for final approach?
Number 2 momentarily turns away, climbs to FAF or GS intercept altitude, flys to the MAP and obtains a separate clearance
What is the lost wingman procedure for Missed Approach?
Number 2 momentarily turns away, flys published missed approach to 500 ft above published altitude
What is the procedure if both wingmen lose sight of each other?
Number 1 will direct a deconfliction altitude for number 2 to maintain that provides a minimum of 1000 feet altitude separation
What are the weather minimums for formation approaches?
500’ ceiling, 1.5 sm visibility
What is the minimum power setting for a formation approach?
10% torque
If a penetration turn is required where should number 2 be?
on the outside of the turn before starting down
On a formation approach, when will number 2 stack level with number 1 and spread laterally to increase the margin of safety?
No later than 1/2 mile from the runway
As number 2, delay a minimum of ___ seconds after number 1’s break before beginning your turn.
5 seconds
When should lead place number 2 on the upwind side for takeoff? 9.30.3.1.1
When crosswind component exceeds 5 knots
What is the minimum lateral wingtip clearance for takeoffs? 9.30.3.1.3
Minimum of 20 feet of lateral wingtip clearance
When is the earliest time lead can retract his gear and flaps? 9.30.3.1.8
When the formation is safely airborne with a minimum of 110 KIAS
Describe the procedure for an interval takeoff: 9.30.3.2
Same as wing takeoff through engine run-up
After 2 gives head nod that run up check is complete, number 1 releases brakes and performs a MAX power takeoff
2 waits 6 seconds and begins the takeoff roll in MAX power
When airborne at a minimum of 160 KIAS, 1 reduces power to 85 to 95% and maintains airspeed of 160 KIAS
Describe the procedure for the instrument trail takeoff: 9.30.3.3
All form members must strictly adhere to the briefed climb speeds, power setting, altitudes, headings, and turn points
Takeoff spacing no less than 20 seconds
Each aircraft climbs at MAX power at 160 KIAS and uses 30º bank for all turns
until join-up or level-off, both 1 and 2 call when passing even number thousands of feet and heading changes
2 will maintain a minimum of 1,000 feet altitude separation from 1 until visual
Describe the Wing Work Exercise bank angle, pitch, G loading and airspeed for level I, II & III: 9.31
I: 0º to 30º bank, +/-10º pitch, 1 to 2 Gs, 120 KIAS minimum
I: 0º to 60º bank, +/-25º pitch, 1 to 2 Gs, 120 KIAS minimum
I: 0º to 90º bank, +/-35º pitch, 1 to 3 Gs, 120 KIAS minimum
For WW Ex, what airspeed and power settings should number 1 use for low and high areas? 9.31.4.1
180 to 200 KIAS
~8,000 to 10,000’ use 50 to 55%
~16,000 to 18,000’ use 55 to 60%
What is Close Trail Exercise spacing?
In what positions may number 1 direct close trail?
What are the maneuvering limitations? 9.32
1 to 2 aircraft lengths (nose to tail) behind number 1, just below number 1’s wake turb and prop wash
1 may direct close trail from fingertip, route, or echelon (2 should call “in” before maneuvering)
Limitations are the same as WW Ex
Describe a pitchout procedure. 9.33
How long should number 2 delay?
A level turn approximately 180º to provide spacing
1 Uses a radio call or visual signal, clears in direction of turn, and turns away from 2 using approx 60º of bank
2 delays 2-3 sec (500-1000’ spacing) or 5-7 sec (1500-2000’ spacing) and turns
After approx 90º of turn, vary bank and back stick pressure to attain desired spacing behind 1
Rejoin when directed
What is Take Spacing? 9.34
Used to put 2 in trail position when a pitchout is not practical
1 directed 2 to take spacing or “Texan 2, take spacing”
Spacing can be achieved with a combination of maneuvering and deceleration by 2 or acceleration by 1
Do not exceed standard form limits (100 feet vertical and 6,000 feet horizontal if outside MOA)
