Objective of tac form?
Increased maneuverability and optimize weapons and radar employment & visual lookout
Main reference for wingman?
The wingman’s primary reference for heading and airspeed is lead.
Element LAB (Tac) Position
- 2000-3000 lateral separation, LAB to 10 deg aft, vertical stack of up to 500 feet
Lateral references for tac?
2000 - ejection seats and helmets visible. 2500 - ejection seats discernable, but individual pilots not. 3000 - canopy blends with fuselage, but prop blade visible
Which turns are not signaled visually?
All tac turns except a cross turn, shackle, or hook turn into wingman are signaled visually
The Contract Turn
200 KIAS, MAX power, G to hold airspeed (2-3), and level turns
Turns Away from Wingman
Large wing flash from lead (approx 90 deg) away from wingman
Turns Into the Wingman
Lead just goes
How large can a check turn be?
Up to 30 deg
When does delay a/c start 90 turn?
increase in LOS (this occurs approx when lead is approaching nose on)
How do you correct for an out-of-position 45/90 turn?
“Tight or behind, come early”
How do hook turns into work?
- Must be called over radio
- Lead: During first half, lead is visual. Match fuselage through 90 deg turn. Blind 1/2 through
- Wingman: After passing through 90, begin looking out the top of the canopy for lead while continuing turn. Blind first half.
How do hook turns away work?
- Signaled visually with a wing flash or called over radio
- If initiated w/ wing flash, lead will begin turning when wingman begins turn
○ Lead’s immediate turn indicates hook turn
- If initiated w/ wing flash, lead will begin turning when wingman begins turn
When do you cross over on a cross turn?
A/c cross after 60-90 deg turn
Parameters for a Tac GX?
3000 LAB
Parameters for Tac Straight Ahead Rejoin?
Standard platform is 200 KIAS, 45 deg bank, level
Initial move in Tac Straight Ahead Rejoin?
- Make a bid towards lead’s 6
○ Forward LOS and get a slightly low stack
○ May need to make 2 bids
Aim point an imaginary close trail
How much overtake on Tac Straight Ahead Rejoin?
10-20 knots
When do you go MAX power on Tac Turning Rejoin?
Vertical stack above and into and away
Procedure for Tac Turning Rejoin into?
○ MAX and pull to high 6
○ Once forward LOS observed, reverse turn to reacquire lead, low on the inside of the turn
○ No back stick pressure during the turn reversal in order to continue a flight path toward lead’s turn circle and assess LOS
○ Descend into normal rejoin
FM Starting parameters?
Start: 11k - 12k, 200 KIAS, 3000 LAB for 1/2 and 3000-4000 for 3/4, level
Aim for pure pursuit and 40 AA
Objectives for FM?
○ Admin
○ Air-to-air training rules
○ Solving geometric problems
○ Training a/c: controlling briefed parameters
○ Maneuvering a/c: turn circles
○ Stabilizing in ET cone from outside
Resolving high closure/aspect in FM 3 & 4
Where is the floor in FM?
500’
Procedure for starting FM?
Next, lead turns away: “Ripper check left/right” 45 deg
Wing goes pure pursuit. Lead then reverses turn & maintains having wing w/ 4 AA
Wing can call “Ripper ease off” or “Ripper tighten up”
Once within 1,500 feet, call fight’s on
