Formation

Question 1

Explain what the terminology “slide”, “bump” and “dip” mean?

Answer 1

Slide = Timings change
Bump = Which crews have priority if an aircraft goes U/S
Dip =

Question 2

How is the formation air-air freq treated differently to others?

Answer 2

The form freq uses SEC comms

Question 3

What is the formation C/S at Oakey?

Answer 3

SHRIKE (SHRK)

Question 4

You have been told to either “Roll” or “Push” to a different frequency, what does this mean?

Answer 4

Roll respond, push to shush

Question 5

What are the minimum briefing requirements for an ARH form sortie?

Answer 5

IAW STANMAN Chap 19, annex C

Question 6

Explain the difference between close and standard formation?

Answer 6

Close = The formation is considered to be one aircraft and is treated as such by ATC
Standard = Formation is considered to be co level within 1NM of lead aircraft

Question 7

Explain the following brevity terms:
- Sunrise/Sunset
- Moon rise/Moon Set
- Daylight/Darkness
- Glimmer up/down
- Calcutta
- Smash

Answer 7

Sunrise/Sunset = Visible anti-col ON/OFF
Moon rise/Moon Set = IR anti-col ON/OFF
Daylight/Darkness = POSN lights ON/OFF
Glimmer up/down = Adjust form lights up/down
Calcutta = Everything OFF
Smash = Everything ON

Question 8

How can you tell that wing will be ready to taxi soon?

Answer 8

POSN lights will go - FIXED

Question 9

Explain a “stream” departure:

Answer 9

Stream is when each aircraft takes off separately and then rejoins airborne

Question 10

What apexing is associated with the following: Close, loose, external and TAC spacing?

Answer 10

Close = 2RD
Loose = 3-5RD
External = 5-10RD
TAC = 10+ RD

Question 11

What spacing is used during taxi?

Answer 11

2RD

Question 12

What is the R/T for a lead change?

Answer 12

“XX, take the lead”
“XX passing left/right taking the lead”
“XX, visual”

Question 13

You have lose sight of another aircraft in the formation, what are your actions?

Answer 13

“C/S Blind”
- Lead says height, HDG, IAS

Still blind: “C/S Blind”
- Establish RV height blocks and rejoin IAW plan

Question 14

Briefly explain how aircraft enter, rejoin and depart a point RV?

Answer 14

• Aircraft remain in their quadrant 2NM from the RV point
• Once all aircraft have called ready, FL reports “moving now” and departs in a pre determined direction @80kts
• Other aircraft position off lead

Question 15

Briefly explain how a “rolling” RV works?

Answer 15

• FL establishes track at 80KIAS
• Aircraft rejoin in order of position reporting “Beacon” adjusting their lights accordingly

Question 16

Explain how a “HA” (Holding Area) RV works?

Answer 16

One aircraft is positioned within a defined area/box, another aircraft holds outside that area once visual they rejoin

Question 17

What speed and AoB is used in display formation?

Answer 17

• 100KIAS
• Rate 1 turns

Question 18

In close formation, what are the height and line spacing cues?

Answer 18

Echelon left/right: Stub wing tip meets top of oleo strut, small gap between far side wheel and aircraft body
Line Astern: Anticol in line with VU2 antenna, vertical stabs aligned with stub wing dihedral

Question 19

You are the wing aircraft, what are your actions for display form rejoin?

Answer 19

• Note HDG +alt of lead, using 45ºAoB w/ MCP gain no more than 1000ft/45º HDG offset before returning to initial HDG/level off
• Call “On the perch”, lead reclears you to join
• Slow descent/turn towards lead, descending as to place lead above the horizon
• At the “Bloom point” flare IOT wash off speed, remaining below lead
• UP —> FORWARD —> IN

Question 20

How can spacing be determined for tactical form?

Answer 20

600m - Aircraft take up the whole length of the gun reticle
1000m - Aircraft take up 2/3rds of the gun reticle spacing

Question 21

What restrictions are applied for wing aircraft by flare/chaff dispensers?

Answer 21

Wing is to remain greater than 150m unless:
- Master arm is OFF
- MAN countermeasures are selected
- Eject (for counter measures) is set to non active side

Question 22

Explain the difference between tactical “Combat” and “Spread” formation positions?

Answer 22

Combat
- Flexible Arc between 10º and 60º from lead (Avoid +/- 30º of trail)
- Aim to sit around the 45º point
- “TAC” turns are not initiated from combat posn

Spread
- Aircraft in line laterally IOT maximise sensor/weapons coverage, wing operates with 10º+/-, not less than 10RD seperation
- Typically turns are announces

Question 23

What speed/AoB is used in TAC form?

Answer 23

45ºAoB
120KIAS (110 G/S for lift assets)

Question 24

Explain the process for a TAC turn?

Answer 24

Aircraft on outside of turn always turns first

Question 25

What does “In place right/left” mean?

Answer 25

Is a turn technique through 180º:
- Typically 45ºAoB, level both aircraft turn as directed by lead (typically towards them)

Question 26

What is a “Split Turn”?

Answer 26

Is a turn from spread position IOT turn 180º
- 45ºAoB, each aircraft turns away from the other maintaining level

Question 27

What does a “Float (or Dig)/Pinch and Resume” mean?

Answer 27

Is used IOT “pinch” (reduce) or “float” increase spacing
- Each aircraft turns in towards the other using 30ºAoB IOT achieve a specific spacing

Question 28

Explain a Shackle turn?

Answer 28

Is a turn from the spread position to switch sides maintaining ALT
- Both aircraft turn through 30º towards each other
- Wing maintains height slightly above lead
- Wing passes behind lead

Question 29

What does POPEYE mean and what should you do?

Answer 29

Initiate the IIMC drill:
- “POPEYE” —> Lead broadcasts height and heading they will climb to
- Each aircraft has a designated HDG relative to the HDG lead will maintain
- 500ft separation between aircraft

Question 30

What are the typical options within a PACE plan?

Answer 30

P - Form freq
A - Alternate form freq
C - ATC (approach)
E - Guard freq

Question 31

During formation what actions are required when an aircraft experiences a total loss of radios?

Answer 31

• Affected aircraft set nav lights to flash, expect the unaffected aircraft to also set nav lights to flash
• Both aircraft then set nav lights to fixed (if lead effected then steady nav lights means to change the form lead)

(If nav lights cannot be used tactically then use IR, likely pre briefed)

Question 32

Explain the difference between “Knock it off” and “Terminate”:

Answer 32

Knock it off
- Mean that the safety of the formation has been compromised/close call and the mission will be cancelled and RTB

Terminate
- Means to cancel a specific manoeuvre where safety has not been compromised