B3003 GROUND ~1.0 hour study

Formation Flight Profiles & Mission Flow

Integrated mission profiles combining formations, maneuvers, and communications

OBJECTIVE

Integrate the communications (B3001) and procedures (B3002) into complete mission profiles. This lesson provides visual diagrams of all formation positions, shows the flow of a typical formation sortie from takeoff to landing, and presents common training profiles that combine multiple maneuvers into a cohesive exercise.

Prerequisites: B3001 (Formation Communications) and B3002 (Formation Procedures & Safety). This lesson assumes mastery of radio calls, visual signals, position references, and safety procedures.

FORMATION POSITION DIAGRAMS

FINGERTIP FORMATION

Primary close formation. Visual signal: Wing rock from lead.

ROUTE FORMATION

Relaxed formation for enroute/clearing. Visual signal: Rudder wag from lead.

CLOSE TRAIL

Directly behind lead, 1-2 aircraft lengths. Radio call to initiate.

SIDE PROFILE VIEW

EXTENDED TRAIL / FIGHTING WING

Tactical maneuvering position. Radio call to initiate. 500 ft safety bubble.

TYPICAL FORMATION SORTIE FLOW

PHASE 1 Ground Operations

FORMATION

N/A (Taxi)

KEY COMMS

"2's ready" → "Push 3 crank"

Flight checks on each freq

KEY ACTIONS

Coordinate start time

#2 acknowledges all clearances on UHF

PHASE 2 Takeoff & Departure

FORMATION

Fingertip → Route

1 NM past dep end: push to route

KEY COMMS

"Climbing, good engine..."

"BULL, Climb check" @ 10K

KEY ACTIONS

#2 gear up when #1's gear moves

Speedbrake signal = brake release

PHASE 3 Enroute to Working Area

FORMATION

Route

Good for clearing & checks

KEY COMMS

"BULL, Ops check"

MOA activation request

KEY ACTIONS

Ops check: fuel & G-tolerance

Center handoff, MOA request

PHASE 4 Working Area (MOA)

FORMATION

Varies by exercise

See Training Profiles below

KEY COMMS

"BULL FENCE In"

Maneuver calls on UHF

KEY ACTIONS

FENCE In checks

Wing rock → fingertip rejoin

PHASE 5 Recovery

FORMATION

Route → Fingertip

Fingertip for initial/overhead

KEY COMMS

"BULL FENCE Out"

"MOA COLD" call to Center

KEY ACTIONS

5 min prior call to Center

BDA if needed

COMMON TRAINING PROFILES

PROFILE 1: Basic Wing Work

Focus: Fingertip position maintenance during maneuvering

1 FENCE In → Wing rock → Rejoin to fingertip

2 Wing Work Level 1 (gentle turns, 30° bank max)

3 Wing Work Level 2 (moderate turns, 45° bank)

4 Wing Work Level 3 (aggressive turns, 60° bank)

5 Crossunders (both directions)

6 Ops check → RTB

PROFILE 2: Rejoin Practice

Focus: Pitchout, Gx, and rejoin procedures

1 FENCE In → Fingertip

2 "Pitchout" → Gx maneuver (3-5 sec interval)

3 Ops check (fuel/Gs)

4 Wing rock → Straight ahead rejoin

5 Repeat: Pitchout → Turning rejoin (left)

6 Repeat: Pitchout → Turning rejoin (right)

7 Ops check → RTB

PROFILE 3: Extended Trail (ET)

Focus: Fighting wing position and maneuvering

1 FENCE In → Fingertip

2 "Go ET Level 1" → #2 maneuvers to fighting wing, calls "In"

3 #1 maneuvers, #2 maintains cone (Level 1: no AB)

4 "Terminate" → Wing rock → Rejoin

5 Repeat: ET Level 2 (with AB)

6 Repeat: ET Level 3 (max performance)

7 Ops check → RTB

ET KIO Conditions: 500 ft bubble violation OR #2 crosses #1's 3/9 line

PROFILE 4: Close Trail

Focus: Trail position maintenance behind lead

1 FENCE In → Fingertip

2 "Go close trail" → #2 moves to trail, calls "In"

3 #1 performs smooth maneuvers, positive G always

4 Shallow wing rock → Rejoin to fingertip

5 Ops check → RTB

PROFILE 5: Lost Wingman Practice

Focus: Emergency separation procedures (VMC only)

1 FENCE In → Fingertip

2 "Go practice lost wingman" (wings level scenario)

3 #2 executes: 15° bank, 15 sec, calls "Lost wingman"

4 #2 calls "Visual" → #1 wing rocks → Rejoin

5 Repeat: Outside turn scenario

6 Repeat: Inside turn scenario

7 Practice breakout procedure

8 Ops check → RTB

VISUAL SIGNALS QUICK REFERENCE

WING ROCK

Rejoin to Fingertip

RUDDER WAG

Go to Route

PORPOISING

Go Tactical

QUICK WING DIP

Crossunder (direction)

SHALLOW WING ROCK

Rejoin from Trail

WING DIP (Turn)

Turning Rejoin Direction

COMMON WINGMAN ERRORS

ERROR

Overcontrolling in Fingertip

Large corrections cause oscillations. Make small, smooth inputs.

ERROR

Excessive Closure on Rejoin

Start reducing power earlier. Arrive in route at #1's airspeed, not faster.

ERROR

Flying in Jetwash (Close Trail)

Position just below the jetwash, not in it. If buffeting, you're too high.

ERROR

Lag Pursuit in ET

Spend minimal time in lag. Use lead/pure pursuit to maintain the cone.

ERROR

Not Acknowledging on UHF

#2 must acknowledge all ATC clearances on UHF after #1's readback.

ERROR

Delayed Lost Wingman Execution

Execute immediately. Don't wait to "find" lead - deconflict first.

COMPLETION STANDARDS

Trainees will demonstrate proficiency in formation flight profiles through mission planning exercises, chair flying, and verbal walkthroughs. Trainees must:

• Draw and label all formation positions (fingertip, route, close trail, ET/fighting wing)
• Walk through a complete sortie flow from ground ops to recovery
• Explain each training profile and the sequence of maneuvers
• Identify visual signals and their meanings
• Describe common errors and their corrections
• Integrate B3001 communications with B3002 procedures in scenario walkthroughs

Completion: Demonstrate understanding through mission planning, chair flying, and verbal examination