Formation Manoeuvring

Question 1

How should you manoeuvre longitudinally in formation?

Answer 1

3 small throttle movements:

• Generate momentum
• Stop momentum in correct spot
• Adjust to maintain

E.g. fwd, then back to stop, then fwd slightly to keep

Question 2

How should you manoeuvre laterally in formation?

Answer 2

Bank on, bank off

Create small convergences or divergences of heading

Let the change take effect and then do the opposite to regain steady position

Question 3

How should you correct errors in formation?

Answer 3

One at a time

Match AoB - Rear reference leading edge (fwd or back) - Split the wing (up + down) - In/out to align with the fwd reference (pitot +exhaust stack)

Give actions time to take effect

MATCH AOB - FWD - UP - IN

Question 4

How should you maintain station on the outside of a turn in echelon?

Answer 4

Match AoB, slight climb, increase power

Question 5

How should you maintain station on the inside of a turn in echelon?

Answer 5

Match AoB, slight descent, reduce power

Question 6

What is the key to position changes between line astern and vic?

Answer 6

Both aircraft will be moving, so move acknowledge

Back aircraft always moves first and calls “C/S 3/2, clear”

Other aircraft then moves in - Once in the back aircraft can move forward, up, in

Move ONE AXIS AT A TIME

Question 7

How should you move between vic and line astern/rev. line astern?

Answer 7

Aircraft that will end up at the back will move first, e.g:

Line astern - 3 moves first
Rev. line astern - 2 moves first

First aircraft to move calls “C/S X, clear”, then other aircraft moves back, down and in.

Once they’re in the ‘clear’ aircraft moves in - calls “C/S X, in”

Question 8

What is the key to moving between Vic and Echelon?

Answer 8

Only the moving aircraft acknowledges on the radio

Move back, down, across.

Then fwd, up, in.

Question 9

When in line astern, from where should you take the AoB and lateral references?

Answer 9

From the lead aircraft - look ‘through’ the aircraft ahead if you are at the back of a 3 ship

Question 10

When in line astern, from where should you take the longitudinal and vertical spacing?

Answer 10

From the aircraft directly ahead

Question 11

What action should you take if you end up in a PIO whilst in line astern?

Answer 11

Stabilise by placing the controls in neutral position until the oscillation stops

Then match the leads AoB and gently correct to the right position