B3103
FLIGHT
WINGMAN
1.1 hours airborne + briefings
Extended Trail Formation
Flexible trail maneuvering with extended spacing
OBJECTIVE
Enable trainees to maintain extended trail formation as wingman in the T-38 Talon, practicing rejoins, spacing adjustments, turns, and deconfliction, to enhance flexibility in trail maneuvers while integrating communications and visual signals per AFMAN 11-2T-38V3 standards.
CONTENT
Pre-Flight Briefing and Preparation
- • Review of close trail and ground lessons on trail variants; discuss sortie objectives, VMC minima, and T-38 power management for extended spacing.
- • Formation planning: Brief rejoin criteria, tolerances (500-1,000 ft spacing), and safety for closure rates or sight loss.
- • Wingman focus: Depth cues, thrust corrections, constant scan for deconfliction.
Airborne Procedures and Maneuvers
- • Departure and rejoin: VFR takeoff from KSPS, wingman rejoins to extended trail.
- • Extended trail maintenance: Holds in straight flight, turns (≤45° bank), flexible positioning with power/thrust.
- • Comms and signals: Responses to lead, visual acknowledgments; practice ops checks.
EXTENDED TRAIL PARAMETERS
Spacing: 500-1,000 ft
Max Bank: ≤45°
Flexibility: High
Use: Maneuvering
Post-Flight Debrief
- • Performance evaluation: Review spacing stability, adjustments, and comms via data.
- • Trainee reflection: Address extended trail issues and route prep.
COMPLETION STANDARDS
Trainees will demonstrate proficiency in extended trail formation through successful sortie execution. Trainees must:
- • Maintain spacing tolerances (500-1,000 ft, stable without overruns)
- • Demonstrate timely signal responses to lead
- • Execute no deconfliction errors per AFMAN 11-2T-38V3 standards
Completion: Instructor confirmation of progression to route formation