Formation Study Flashcards
Who is ultimately responsible for the safe and effective conduct of the mission?
Flight Lead
Are “flight lead” and “number 1” the same thing?
No. The designated flight lead (designated on the flight orders) does not change during
the mission, however, to enhance training opportunities, numbers 1 and 2 will often swap
formation positions during a sortie
What are Number 1’s responsibilities?
Clear for the formation
Plan for the formation
Monitor Number 2
Navigate for the formation
Communicate for the formation
What is Number 1’s top responsibility and what does it mean?
Clear for the Formation. Maneuver the formation away from other aircraft
and boundaries as well as maintain a safe altitude above the ground or any obstacles
What is Number 1’s second responsibility and what does it mean?
Plan Ahead of the Aircraft. Altering the profile and/or maneuvers as
appropriate and ensure fuel and time are used judiciously to accomplish mission and
training objectives
What is Number 1’s third responsibility and what does it mean?
Monitor Number 2. Ensure number 2 is properly maintaining the assigned
position. This also includes assessing parameters during maneuvers and ensuring
number 2 is in a safe position prior to executing a new maneuver. Furthermore, this
includes ensuring in-flight checks are completed by the entire formation in a timely
manner.
What is number 1’s fourth responsibility and what does it mean?
Navigation. Ensure the formation is at the proper altitude, airspeed, and
position relative to NAVAIDs, routing, instrument approaches, obstacles, airfields, etc.
What is Number 1’s fifth responsibility and what does it mean?
Communication. Transmit and receive information for the formation. To
the air traffic controller, a formation is treated as a single entity with a single voice:
number 1. Unless prebriefed or included in unit standards, radio frequencies will not
be changed unless directed by number 1.
What is Number 2’s responsibilities?
Do not hit 1
Keep number 1 in sight
Be in position and on frequency
Clear for the formation
Backup number 1
Flight path deconfliction is paramount. Unless
number 2 has called “____”, ____ is responsible to deconflict flight paths and
prevent a collision.
blind; number 2
What does “Back Up Number 1” mean?
A good wingman is ready to take the lead at a
moment’s notice to accomplish any tasks assigned by lead. Number 2 should strive to
actively monitor navigation, communication, fuel state, mission accomplishment, etc.
When number 2 is able to consistently back up number 1, it usually shows a readiness
to become a flight lead
Who has primary responsibility for flight path deconfliction?
Although numbers 1 and 2 are both responsible for adequate separation, generally
number 2 has primary responsibility for flight path deconfliction within the element unless
number 2 is unable to maintain visual (number 1 should still monitor number 2)
If number 1 loses sight and is uncertain
of number 2’s position, query number 2 by requesting “____”
“posit” (“Texan 2, posit?”). The
“posit” call is a question as to the position of number 2 relative to number 1. Number
2 responds with the aircraft’s position in the bearing, range, altitude format: “Texan 2,
right 5 o’clock, 500 feet, low”
Number 1 owns the radios, which means number 2 will only change frequencies
when directed by number 1 or when written unit standards dictate. What is the difference between “go” and “push”?
If number 1 uses the term “go” for a frequency change, number 2 will acknowledge before changing the frequency (e.g., “Texan, 11 go channel 5”; acknowledged with “2”). If number 1 uses the term “push”, number 2 should change to the new frequency without acknowledging
(“Texan 11, push channel 5”; no acknowledgment)…
Number 1 adds the suffix “victor” or
“aux” for the VHF/auxiliary frequency radio calls (e.g., “Texan 11, push channel 2 victor)
What should number 2 do if number 1 sends them to the wrong frequency?
If number 1 sends number 2 to the wrong frequency, number 2 should go to that
frequency and wait. Number 1 will get number 2 on the proper frequency either using the
radio or using visual signals. Number 2 should never change frequencies without being
directed by number 1
Never use the word “lead” unless?
The only time the term “lead” should be used over the radio is when executing a lead change (e.g.,
“Texan 2, you have the lead on the right”). When filling the number 1 position, do not use the term “lead” when referring to
own ship parameters. Use “one,” (e.g., “Texan, ops check, one is 600, 4 Gs”)
What is the difference between “blind”, “visual”, “tally ho”, and “no joy”?
When referring to aircraft within the
formation, use the terminology blind (lack of visual contact) or visual (positive visual
contact) as appropriate. When referring to aircraft outside of the formation, use the
terminology no joy (lack of visual contact) or tally ho (positive visual contact).
When can Number 2 respond “same” on an Ops Check?
Number 2 responds with “same” if his fuel is within 50 pounds, and Gs are
within 0.5 of number 1. For example, “Texan 1, 800, 4.5 Gs”. If number two has
approximately 750 pounds and shows 4 Gs, the response is “Texan 2, same.”
Any time number 2 is maneuvering behind number 1, number 2 must use caution
to avoid areas of prop wash or wake turbulence. This is especially important in number 1’s
6 o’clock. Any time wake turbulence or prop wash is encountered, number 2 should unload
to approximately 1 G, exit the area of turbulence, and check the G meter.
If the aircraft G limits have been exceeded, the formation will?
terminate maneuvering and conduct a
controllability check, as required. (T-2) In the case of an over G, the G meter is not reset
until the aircraft is inspected by a certified maintenance technician
What is a Battle Damage Check and when is it done?
Using mutual support, members of a formation inspect all aircraft in the
formation. Aircraft within a formation maneuver to inspect each other for damage,
leaks, missing panels, or irregularities. Generally performed after aggressive maneuvering (i.e.,
extended trail, fluid maneuvering, or tactical) or combat ops.
How does Number 1 initiate the BD check?
using a radio call or the “check mark”
visual signal either from route or fingertip
How to accomplish the BD check?
If in fingertip, make a slight check turn away from
lead and climb only as necessary to visually inspect the top of the near side (e.g., just high
enough to see the opposite wingtip) of the aircraft. Continue the inspection by dropping down to inspect the lower side of the aircraft; perform a cross under and inspect the lower and upper side of the opposite side of the aircraft. Number 2 must maintain nose-tail separation while inspecting number 1. Number 2 looks for any damage, leaks, missing panels, or irregularities. Upon completion, remain on that side and assume the proper formation position
If there are no discrepancies on number 1’s aircraft during a BD, number 2?
passes a thumbs-up to number 1, indicating a “clean” BD check. If number 1 is not clean, number 2 will use the radio to describe any discrepancies. Number 1 then initiates a lead change and number 2 assumes navigational (Nav) lead while clearing for the flight
What is a single pass BD check?
If time or fuel is critical and the number 1 aircraft contains two pilots, the option exists to conduct a single pass BD check without a Nav lead change. In this case, the PNF in the number 1 aircraft inspects number 2 as number 2 maneuvers to inspect number 1, and the PF in the number 1 aircraft clears the flight path for the formation. This option must be briefed or directed before employed.