B3102
FLIGHT
WINGMAN
1.4 hours airborne + briefings
Wing Work / Close Trail Formation
Precise spacing in trail position behind lead
OBJECTIVE
Enable trainees to fly and maintain close trail formation as wingman in the T-38 Talon, practicing rejoins, position holds, basic turns, and deconfliction, to develop precise spacing skills integrating communications and visual signals per AFMAN 11-2T-38V3 standards.
CONTENT
Pre-Flight Briefing and Preparation
- • Review of fingertip basics and ground lessons on trail formations; discuss sortie objectives, VMC requirements, and T-38 handling (thrust sensitivity for depth cues).
- • Formation planning: Brief rejoin paths, safety tolerances (10-50 ft spacing), and contingencies like breakout for closure overruns.
- • Wingman focus: Cone positioning, exhaust/helmet references, small inputs to avoid oscillations.
Airborne Procedures and Maneuvers
- • Departure and rejoin: VFR takeoff from KSPS, wingman rejoins to close trail using visual/radio cues.
- • Close trail maintenance: Position holds in straight flight, basic turns (≤30° bank), power adjustments for station-keeping.
- • Comms and signals: Acknowledgments for lead directives, visual signals for minor position tweaks; intro to ops checks.
CLOSE TRAIL PARAMETERS
Spacing: 10-50 ft behind
Position: In cone
Reference: Exhaust/helmet
Max Bank: ≤30°
Post-Flight Debrief
- • Performance evaluation: Assess spacing stability (10-50 ft), deconfliction, and comms via flight data.
- • Trainee reflection: Discuss trail challenges and prep for extended trail.
COMPLETION STANDARDS
Trainees will demonstrate proficiency in close trail formation through successful sortie execution. Trainees must:
- • Maintain spacing tolerances (10-50 ft cone, stable without oscillations)
- • Demonstrate timely responses to visual/radio signals
- • Execute no safety errors per AFMAN 11-2T-38V3 standards
Completion: Instructor confirmation of progression to extended trail