B3104
FLIGHT
WINGMAN
1.0 hours airborne + briefings
Wing Work / CT / Route Formation
Enroute formation flying with transitions
OBJECTIVE
Enable trainees to maintain route formation as wingman in the T-38 Talon, practicing enroute positioning, transitions between formations, and ops checks, to build proficiency in tactical enroute flying while integrating communications and visual signals per AFMAN 11-2T-38V3 standards.
CONTENT
Pre-Flight Briefing and Preparation
- • Review of trail formations and ground lessons on route specifics; discuss sortie objectives, VMC/IMC transitions, and T-38 enroute performance (0.8 Mach cruise).
- • Formation planning: Brief route positioning (500 ft separation), tolerances, and integration with IFR filing if needed for enroute segments.
- • Wingman focus: Aspect monitoring, power adjustments, visual lookout for deconfliction.
Airborne Procedures and Maneuvers
- • Departure and rejoin: VFR takeoff from KSPS, wingman rejoins to route formation.
- • Route maintenance: Enroute holds, transitions, turns; practice ops checks with radio responses.
- • Comms and signals: Acknowledgments for lead directives, visual signals for position.
ROUTE FORMATION PARAMETERS
Separation: 500 ft
Cruise: 0.8 Mach
Use: Enroute/Transitions
Flexibility: Moderate
Post-Flight Debrief
- • Performance evaluation: Assess spacing stability (500 ft), ops check execution, and comms via data.
- • Trainee reflection: Discuss route challenges and fighting wing prep.
COMPLETION STANDARDS
Trainees will demonstrate proficiency in route formation through successful sortie execution. Trainees must:
- • Maintain spacing tolerances (500 ft lateral/vertical, stable without drifts)
- • Execute timely ops check responses
- • Demonstrate no deconfliction errors per AFMAN 11-2T-38V3 standards
Completion: Instructor confirmation of progression to fighting wing