Formation Communications & Visual Signals
Complete guide to radio phraseology, brevity codes, visual signals, and formation procedures
OBJECTIVE
Provide trainees with a comprehensive understanding of formation communications, including radio phraseology, brevity codes, visual signals, emergency calls, and deconfliction procedures. This lesson covers the complete communication flow from ground ops through recovery, ensuring safe and effective operations as wingman during formation flights.
QUICK REFERENCE - STANDARD VHF CHANNELS (AETC)
Ch.2
ATIS / Pre-Start
Ch.3
Clearance Delivery
Ch.4
Ground
Ch.5
Tower
Ch.6
Tower (Recovery)
Ch.7
Approach/Departure
Ch.8
Center
UHF
Interflight / Tactical
Key Concept: VHF is for ATC communications. UHF is for interflight (flight members only) communications. #2 acknowledges all ATC clearances on UHF after #1's readback.
PHASE 1: GROUND OPERATIONS
Pre-Start Coordination
Before stepping to the aircraft, coordinate start and check-in times with your flight lead. This ensures synchronized operations from the beginning.
PRE-START SEQUENCE
Set VHF Ch.2
Obtain ATIS, perform pre-start checks, standby for start time
At Start Time - #2 Reports Status
Ready: "2's ready" | Need time: "2 needs X minutes" | Ready early: Zipper click
#1 Directs Start
"1. Push 3 crank"
Start Engines
Perform post-start checks, await check-in time
Clearance Delivery (VHF Ch.3)
CLEARANCE DELIVERY SEQUENCE
VHF Ch.3 - Flight Check
#1:
"BULL Flight check"
#2:
"TWO"
Request Clearance
#1:
"Clearance delivery, BULL 01 Flight of Two, Westover 1 on file, ready to copy"
DELIVERY:
"BULL 01 Flight, climb runway heading, maintain at or below 5,000, departure frequency 118.2, squawk 4501"
#1 READBACK:
"Climb runway heading, maintain at or below 5,000, departure frequency 118.2, squawk 45011, BULL 01 Flight"
UHF - #2 Acknowledges
"TWO"
Confirms #2 heard the clearance
Ground Control (VHF Ch.4)
TAXI SEQUENCE
Push to Ground
#1 (VHF Ch.3):
"BULL push 4"
VHF Ch.4 - Flight Check & Taxi Request
#1:
"BULL Flight check"
#2:
"TWO"
#1:
"Ground, BULL 01 Flight, taxi 2 with [ATIS]"
GROUND:
"BULL 01 Flight, taxi runway 15L via Delta"
#1 READBACK:
"Runway 15L via Delta, BULL 01 Flight"
UHF - #2 Acknowledges
"TWO"
Note: When #1 turns into the EOR (End of Runway) area, both aircraft switch to VHF Ch.5 (Tower).
Tower - Takeoff (VHF Ch.5)
TAKEOFF SEQUENCE
After EOR Checks Complete
#1:
"BULL Flight Check"
#2:
"TWO"
#1:
"Tower, BULL 01 Flight, number one for 15L"
TOWER:
"BULL 01 Flight, winds 150 at 8, cleared for takeoff"
#1:
"Cleared for takeoff, BULL 01 Flight"
RUNWAY LINEUP & TAKEOFF PROCEDURES
#2 Position
- • Upwind side if crosswind >5 kts
- • Inside of first turn if crosswind is a factor
Brake Release Signal
- • #2 retracts speedbrake when ready
- • #1 retracts speedbrake to stow = Release brakes
Power Settings
#1
MIL Power
#2
MAX (as required)
ONCE AIRBORNE
#1 Calls (Internal)
"Climbing, good engine, <230 knots, 2's up, gear clear"
• #2 raises gear when #1's gear starts coming up
• 1 NM past departure end: Push #2 to route formation
PHASE 2: DEPARTURE & ENROUTE
Departure Control (VHF Ch.7)
DEPARTURE HANDOFF
TOWER:
"BULL 01 Flight, contact departure 118.2"
#1:
"BULL 01 Flight, Push departure"
VHF Ch.7 - Check-in
#1:
"BULL Flight Check"
#2:
"TWO"
#1:
"Approach, BULL 01 Flight, passing [altitude] for [altitude]"
APPROACH:
"BULL 01 Flight, Radar contact, climb and maintain 15,000, direct Westover MOA"
#1 READBACK:
"Climb and maintain 15,000, direct Westover MOA, BULL 01 Flight"
CLIMB CHECK - PASSING 10,000' MSL (UHF)
#1:
"BULL, Climb check"
#2:
"TWO"
Level off and perform ops check
Center Control (VHF Ch.8)
CENTER HANDOFF & MOA ACTIVATION
DEPARTURE:
"BULL 01 Flight, contact center 135.175"
#1:
"BULL 01 Flight, Push Center"
VHF Ch.8 - MOA Request
#1:
"BULL Flight Check"
#2:
"TWO"
#1:
"Center, BULL 01 Flight, passing [altitude] for [altitude], requests WESTOVER ONE MOA activation 9000 block FL180"
CENTER:
"BULL 01 Flight, cleared to operate within the confines of the WESTOVER ONE MOA, maintain 9000 to 18,000, advise 5 minutes prior to exit, change to tactical approved"
#1 READBACK:
"Cleared 9000 to 18,000, advise 5 minutes prior to exit, BULL 01 Flight"
OPS CHECK (UHF)
#1:
"BULL, Ops check"
#2:
"TWO"
#1:
"BULL 1, 3.1, 1.5Gs"
(Fuel state in thousands, G-tolerance check)
#2:
"BULL 2, Same"
(Or state actual if >50 lbs or >0.5G different)
Entering Working Area
MOA ACTIVATION & FENCE IN
VHF Ch.8 - Activate MOA
#1:
"Center, BULL 01 Flight, show WESTOVER ONE MOA as hot and active at this time"
CENTER:
"BULL 01 Flight, Center, showing WESTOVER ONE MOA as hot and active"
UHF - FENCE IN
#1:
"BULL FENCE In"
#2:
"Two"
Complete FENCE in checks - ensure #2 has time to accomplish everything
After FENCE In: #1 performs wing rock to initiate straight ahead rejoin to fingertip formation.
PHASE 3: FORMATION POSITIONS & VISUAL SIGNALS
Visual Signals from Lead
LEAD'S VISUAL SIGNALS - MEMORIZE THESE
Rejoin to fingertip formation
Go to route position
Go to tactical formation
Crossunder - swap to other side
Rejoin from close trail to fingertip
Direction of turn (turning rejoin)
FINGERTIP Formation
Primary close formation position. Initiated by wing rock from lead.
#2 POSITION REFERENCES
Bearing
~30° aft of 3/9 line
Spacing
~10 ft wingtip separation
Vertical
Slightly below #1
#2 PROCEDURES - STACK, LINE, SPACING
Vertical (Stack)
Should NOT see any of lead's aircraft bottom
Corrections: Push/pull control stick
Longitudinal (Line)
Should see the ENTIRE leading edge of lead's wing
Corrections: Power forward/aft
Lateral (Spacing)
Should only see ONE engine of lead
Corrections: Small (almost imperceptible) bank angle changes
ROUTE Formation
Used for better clearing and inflight checks. Initiated by rudder wag from lead.
ROUTE PARAMETERS
Spacing
2 ship widths to 500 feet
Bearing
30° to LAB (3/9 to 10° back)
#2 PROCEDURES
Level Flight
Level with #1 - helmet of #1 on horizon
Inside the Turn
Keep #1 in sight just above the canopy rail
Outside the Turn
Maintain same vertical references as echelon turn
#1 Limits: Restrict maneuvering to moderate turns and pitch changes - max bank angle of 60°
CLOSE TRAIL
RADIO CALL
#1 (UHF):
"BULL, go close trail"
#2:
"Two"
#2 (when established):
"Two is in"
#2 POSITION REFERENCES
Spacing
1-2 aircraft lengths behind #1, just below jetwash
Two ship lengths = tips of #1's elevator line up ~1/3 the way out the wings (just past dihedral brake)
Vertical Reference
Exhaust stacks on top of wings (any space between = too high)
Lateral Reference
Place #1's wingtips between AOA indexer and mag compass
If you fall behind, move off to the side before adding power to better judge closure rates
PHASE 4: FORMATION MANEUVERS
PITCHOUT / Gx
RADIO CALL
#1 (UHF):
"BULL Flight, Pitchout, G-X"
#2:
"TWO"
#1 Procedures
- • Max power, <90° bank turn AWAY from #2
- • ~180° of turn (Normal Gx requirements)
- • 60° bank if not completing Gx
#2 Procedures
- • Wait ~3 seconds, follow #1
- • Perform Gx, keep #1 in sight
- • 2-3 sec = 500-1000 ft separation
- • 5-7 sec = 1500-2000 ft separation
POST-Gx OPS CHECK (UHF)
#1: "BULL 1, 3.1, 5 Gs"
#2: "BULL 2, same"
(Unless >50 lbs or >0.5 G's different)
REJOIN (Straight Ahead & Turning)
Initiated by wing rock from lead. Unless otherwise briefed, rejoin airspeed is 350 KIAS.
STRAIGHT AHEAD REJOIN - #2 PROCEDURES
Initial
- • Rejoin to RIGHT side unless directed otherwise
- • Increase airspeed - initially 20-30 knots overtake
- • Position behind and slightly below #1 (6 o'clock, put #1 on horizon to be below wake)
Closure
- • Close until 500 feet
- • Bank slightly away (left) and reduce power
- • Reduce power at rate that #1 moves back in windscreen
- • Plan to arrive in route with same airspeed as #1
- • Once in route, move into fingertip
TURNING REJOIN - #2 PROCEDURES
- • Begin turn in same direction as #1, establish vertical separation - place #1 within 2 widths of horizon
- • Begin with 20-30 knots closure and moderate lead pursuit
- • When #1's vertical stabilizer bisects outside wing (3 aspect/30 AA), reduce bank to maintain reference line
- • Stabilizer moving toward wingtip = AA increasing → shallow bank
- • Stabilizer moving toward wing root = AA decreasing → increase bank
- • #1 should appear slightly above horizon - Star (SA) on wing over the saddle
- • Inside 300-500 feet, normal fingertip references become visible
- • Decrease closure with power or speed brake, stabilize in route then move to fingertip
WING WORK
Flown in fingertip. Airspeed: 330-350 KIAS
#1 Procedures
- • Maintain constant back stick pressure
- • Be wings level pulling through horizon
- • Monitor #2's position
- • Be ready to direct breakout
#2 Procedures
Turns AWAY:
- • Match roll rates, increase back stick
- • Climb to maintain vertical position
- • Increase power, reduce when #1 rolls out
Turns INTO:
- • Slight forward pressure to maintain position
- • Reduce power
CROSSUNDER
Visual signal: Small sharp wing dip in direction #1 wants #2 to go.
#2 PROCEDURE
- Reduce power, move back and below #1 to establish nose-tail clearance
- Add slight power to stop rearward movement
- Bank slightly toward new side (creates small Heading Crossing Angle)
- #2's canopy bow superimposed on trailing edge of #1's elevator
- Once on new side, adjust heading to match #1
- Add power to move forward and up into position
- Reduce power to stabilize in position
ECHELON TURN
RADIO CALL
#1 (UHF):
"BULL, Echelon Turn"
#2:
"TWO"
Note: All turns in route will be Echelon without signal
#2 PROCEDURES
- • Match #1's roll rate, use back stick to maintain spacing
- • In level turn: #1 fuselage bisects the horizon
- • Maintain 3 wingspan spacing between aircraft
Reference Controls:
- • Stack = Bank (vertical spacing - keep #1 on horizon)
- • Line = Power (fore/aft position)
- • Spacing = Back stick
EXTENDED TRAIL (ET) 1/2/3
RADIO CALL
#1 (UHF):
"BULL, go ET Level 1/2/3"
#2:
"Two"
#2 (when established):
"BULL Two, in"
ET PARAMETERS
Position
Fighting wing
Bearing
30-45° off #1
Range
500-2,500 ft
Min Speed
230 KIAS
KNOCK-IT-OFF Conditions:
- • Aircraft enter 500-foot safety bubble
- • #2 crosses #1's 3/9 line
LEAD CHANGE
RADIO SEQUENCE (While in fingertip or route)
#1 (UHF):
"BULL 2, take lead on the (left/right)"
#2:
"Two"
#2 goes route and starts to pass #1. Once #2 passes the 3/9 line:
#2:
"BULL 2 has the lead on the (left/right)"
Note: Callsigns do NOT change. One is still one, two is still two.
BATTLE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT (BDA)
RADIO CALL (While in fingertip or route)
#1 (UHF):
"BULL, BDA"
#2:
"Two"
#2 performs BDA to the end of the opposite wing. Lead may call for a lead change so they may do a BDA for #2.
PHASE 5: EMERGENCY & SAFETY PROCEDURES
KNOCK-IT-OFF (KIO)
Any member may initiate for safety/emergencies. ALL acknowledge and cease maneuvering immediately.
KIO SEQUENCE
INITIATOR:
"BULL KNOCK-IT-OFF"
ALL AIRCRAFT:
"BULL 1, Knock-it-off" / "BULL 2, Knock-it-off"
Cease all maneuvering, safe aircraft, establish communication
PRACTICE LOST WINGMAN
RADIO SEQUENCE
#1 (UHF):
"BULL, go practice lost wingman"
#2:
"Two"
#2 (executing):
"BULL 1, rollout (if required), BULL 2 is lost wingman"
#1:
"BULL 1 is straight and level" (Altitude & heading are nice)
#2 (visual regained):
"Two" ... "BULL Two is visual"
LOST WINGMAN PROCEDURES BY SITUATION
Wings Level
#1:
Maintain flight profile, transmit attitude
#2:
Turn AWAY 15° bank for 15 sec, inform #1, resume course
Outside the Turn
#1:
Roll out of turn, transmit attitude
#2:
Reverse turn 15° bank for 15 sec, roll out, continue straight
Inside the Turn
#1:
Maintain course, transmit attitude
#2:
Reduce power momentarily, tell #1 to roll out, maintain bank
#1 wing rocks #2 back in after visual is regained
BREAKOUT
RADIO SEQUENCE
#1 (UHF):
"BULL two, breakout"
#2:
"Two"
#1 (when safe):
"BULL two, rollout"
#2:
"BULL two is visual"
#1 wing rocks #2 back in
PHASE 6: RECOVERY
FENCE OUT & Exit MOA
FENCE OUT (UHF)
#1:
"BULL, FENCE OUT"
#2:
"Two"
EXIT MOA (VHF Ch.8)
5 Minutes Prior to Exit
#1:
"Center, BULL 01 Flight, five minutes remaining in WESTOVER ONE MOA"
CENTER:
"BULL 01 Flight, roger"
Checking Out
#1:
"Center, BULL 01 Flight, 34 miles west from the SPS VOR, 15,000, WESTOVER ONE MOA COLD, request direct KSPS"
CENTER:
"BULL 01 Flight, roger, WESTOVER ONE MOA cold and inactive, cleared direct to KSPS, contact approach on 118.2"
#1 READBACK:
"Cleared back to KSPS, contact approach 118.2, BULL 01 Flight"
Approach Control (VHF Ch.7)
#1:
"BULL Flight Check"
#2:
"TWO"
#1:
"Approach, BULL 01 Flight, passing [altitude] for [altitude], inbound, (full stop/ILS/TACAN/option tower)"
APPROACH:
"BULL 01 Flight, enter a left base runway 33L"
#1 READBACK:
"Left base 33L, BULL 01 Flight"
Tower Handoff
APPROACH:
"BULL 01 Flight, contact tower"
#1:
"Push tower, BULL 01 Flight"
Tower - Recovery (VHF Ch.6)
Check-in & Position
#1:
"BULL Flight Check"
#2:
"TWO"
#1:
"Tower, BULL 01 Flight, left base runway 33L"
TOWER:
"BULL 01 Flight, report 5 mile initial"
#1:
"Report 5 mile initial, BULL 01 Flight"
Initial & Landing
#1:
"BULL Flight Initial 33L"
TOWER:
"BULL 01 Flight, winds 330 at 8, runway 33L, cleared for the option"
#1:
"Cleared for the option, runway 33L, BULL 01 Flight"
BREVITY CODES QUICK REFERENCE
Cease all maneuvering - safety/emergency
Lost visual contact with specified aircraft
Sighted and can maintain visual on flight member
Sighted friendly aircraft
End current exercise/maneuver (not emergency)
Configure aircraft for/from combat area
Report fuel state and G-tolerance
Standard wingman acknowledgment
COMPLETION STANDARDS
Trainees will demonstrate proficiency in formation communications and visual signals through interactive role-playing, group simulations of formation scenarios, and discussion. Trainees must:
- • Correctly sequence radio calls from ground ops through recovery
- • Identify correct VHF channel for each phase of flight
- • Demonstrate proper UHF interflight acknowledgments
- • Recognize and respond to all visual signals from lead
- • Execute proper KIO, lost wingman, and breakout procedures
- • State position references for fingertip, route, and close trail
- • Explain #2 procedures for all formation maneuvers
- • Define all brevity codes and their proper usage
Completion: Demonstrate understanding through role-play, scenario exercises, and verbal examination