Standard Formations

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Hedgehog
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Standard Formations

Post by Hedgehog » Sat Nov 10, 2018 7:47 pm

These are the formations normally employed in VFA-41 missions. All pilots must be able to quickly achieve and consistently maintain position in any of these formations.

Remember that when in formation, regardless of ordered course, speed, and altitude, it is your responsibility to maintain station in the formation. That means you must keep your eye on the plane your supposed to be formed on! When the Mission Commander calls a turn, do not anticipate the turn and leave the formation. Stay with the plane you're supposed to be formed on.

Finger Four (or V, or Vee) Formation
form_finger4.jpg
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This is our normal cruising formation. If the Mission Commander has not specified a different formation, assume Finger Four.

It is flown with up to 4 aircraft as shown. The 1-2 aircraft comprise the 1st section. The 3-4 aircraft comprise the 2nd section.

When the formation is correct, the lead aircraft should be able to look to his 4 o'clock and see his wingman, and look to his 8 o'clock and see the 2nd section. If the lead aircraft can't see you, you are not in position.

If there are additional aircraft in the flight, replace 1-2-3-4 with 5-6-7-8.

The Finger Four allows the flight to quickly transition to one of the other formations. If directed to do so, the 2nd section (3-4 aircraft) will break off to engage targets.

Odd numbered aircraft are always section leaders. Even numbered aircraft are always wingmen. Wingmen must always know where their section lead is, and make best effort to stay with him.


Line Abreast Formation
form_abreast.jpg
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Note the location of each numbered aircraft. To transition from Finger Four to Line Abreast, each aircraft in the flight simply moves ahead to be side-by-side the Mission Commander. This formation is normally used to ensure that no aircraft in the flight can accidentally hit another with a missile.

Combat Spread is Line Abreast, but more spread out. Keep a 1/2 to 1 mile spread between aircraft, but remain within visual range.


Trail Formation
form_trail.jpg
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Trail formation may be ordered by the Mission Commander under a variety of circumstances, including delivery of ground ordnance, low level ingress, etc. About a 1/2 mile separation between aircraft is typical, unless otherwise ordered. "Loose trail" might be a mile separation. "Tight trail" should be closer than 1/2 mile.


Right (or Left) Echelon Formation
form_rt_ech.jpg
form_rt_ech.jpg (5.11 KiB) Viewed 2466 times
We rarely use this formation in F/A-18 flights, except on approach for a correct Case I recovery and for in-flight refueling. Left Echelon is the same, except the lead aircraft is up front and aircraft 2-4 form on his left wing, 8 o'clock position.