Formation Fundamentals (2 Hours Flight Minimum)
This block transitions from Block 2 IFR proficiency to basic formation flying in the T-38 Talon at Sheppard AFB (KSPS), emphasizing wingman responsibilities only—no lead roles during core training sorties. The curriculum covers standard communications, procedures, and formations per AFMAN 11-2T-38V3, including fingertip, close trail, extended trail, route, fighting wing, echelon turns, G-awareness exercises (G-X), breakouts, rejoins, practice lost wingman, and battle damage checks (BDA).
All maneuvers are flown as wingman, focusing on sight maintenance, deconfliction, visual/radio integration, and safety. Lead certification sorties follow successful wingman checkride.
Prerequisite: UPT Block 2
Successful completion of Block 2 (IFR Foundations) checkride is required before starting Block 3.
Focus Area
Aircraft
Objectives
Home Base
Course Objectives
- ✓ Master formation communications, including brevity codes, visual signals, radio procedures, and emergency calls per AFMAN 11-2T-38V3
- ✓ Execute key formation procedures as wingman: join-ups, rejoins, breakouts, lead changes (observation), lost wingman, and BDA
- ✓ Achieve proficiency in basic formations (fingertip, close trail, extended trail, route, fighting wing, echelon turns)
- ✓ Perform G-awareness exercises (G-X), breakouts, and rejoins safely as wingman
- ✓ Practice lost wingman and BDA procedures in VMC, integrating prior IFR skills
- ✓ Emphasize wingman responsibilities: collision avoidance, visual lookout, timely responses
- ✓ Prepare for lead certification upon wingman proficiency demonstration
Completion Standards
Altitude Tolerance
Heading Tolerance
Airspeed Tolerance
FORMATION SPECIFIC
Formation spacing tolerances per AFMAN 11-2T-38V3; timely responses to lead and visual signals
- • Proficiency in each wingman sortie
- • Pass wingman integrated checkride
- • Complete lead certification sorties
- • No major safety violations
Reference Documents
- • AFMAN 11-2T-38V3 (T-38 Operations)
- • T-38 Flight Manual
- • AETCMAN 11-251 (T-38 Training)
- • Multi-Command Handbook 11-F16V3
Wingman Responsibilities
- • Collision avoidance - PRIMARY duty
- • Maintain visual on lead at all times
- • Timely radio/visual signal responses
- • Report deviations and anomalies
Curriculum
Block 3 includes 3 ground lessons for foundational academics and 7 flight sorties (all as wingman), followed by a wingman checkride. After successful checkride completion, 2 additional lead certification sorties are conducted for progression eligibility.
Training Requirements
- Ground Training: Recommended but not mandatory. Self-study reference materials to prepare for flight training.
- Flight Training: Mandatory. All flight lessons must be completed with an instructor. Flight lessons cover the same topics as ground training through practical application.
GROUND Ground Training RECOMMENDED
Self-study materials to review before flight training. Completing these lessons will help you get more out of your flight time.
Radio phraseology, brevity codes, visual signals, complete mission comms flow
Position references, rejoin techniques, lost wingman, KIO conditions
Position diagrams, sortie flow, training profiles, common errors
FLIGHT Wingman Training WINGMAN ONLY
Instructor-led flight sessions — all formation sorties require an IP. Formation flying cannot be logged solo due to the two-ship requirement and safety considerations.
Join-up, fingertip position, basic formation flying
Trail positions, power management, sight picture
Tactical formations, maneuvering, visual lookout
Echelon maneuvers, cross-unders, lead changes (obs)
Emergency breakout, rejoin procedures, G-X intro
Lost wingman procedures, battle damage checks
Final integration - all wingman maneuvers