Practice Lost Wingman & BDA
Emergency procedures and battle damage assessment
OBJECTIVE
Enable trainees to practice lost wingman procedures and conduct battle damage checks (BDA) as wingman in the T-38 Talon, focusing on deconfliction turns, climbs, visual reacquisition, and offset positioning, to enhance emergency handling and inspection skills integrating communications per AFMAN 11-2T-38V3 standards.
CONTENT
Pre-Flight Briefing and Preparation
- • Review of G-X/breakouts and ground lessons on lost wingman/BDA; discuss sortie objectives, VMC only for practice, and T-38 emergency maneuvers (mil power climbs).
- • Formation planning: Brief lost wingman scenarios ("Blind" calls, 15° climb/turn), BDA offsets, and tolerances for reacquisition.
- • Wingman focus: Immediate response to sight loss, report discrepancies during BDA.
Airborne Procedures and Maneuvers
- • Departure and setup: VFR takeoff from KSPS, rejoin to route or fingertip for simulations.
- • Lost wingman practice: Simulate "Blind," execute deconfliction (climb/turn away), reestablish nav/comms, rejoin on clearance.
- • BDA execution: Wingman flies offset for lead inspection, uses visual signals/radio to report; practice fly-throughs.
- • Comms and signals: "Blind" calls, KIO if needed, acknowledgments for directives.
LOST WINGMAN PROCEDURE
- Call "[Callsign], Blind"
- Immediately turn away from last known lead position
- Climb at 15° pitch, mil power
- Transition to instruments if IMC
- Establish own navigation / contact ATC
- Await rejoin clearance from lead
BDA POSITIONS
Belly Check
Fly below and behind lead
Inspect gear, underside, leaks
Top/Side Check
Fly above and to side
Inspect surfaces, damage
Post-Flight Debrief
- • Performance evaluation: Assess procedure timing, BDA accuracy, and comms via data.
- • Trainee reflection: Discuss emergency challenges and checkride prep.
COMPLETION STANDARDS
Trainees will demonstrate proficiency in lost wingman and BDA through successful sortie execution. Trainees must:
- • Execute timely deconfliction (15° climb at mil power)
- • Demonstrate accurate BDA positioning and reports
- • Perform no procedural errors per AFMAN 11-2T-38V3 standards
Outcome: Instructor recommendation for checkride readiness