Formation Flight

- BASIC FORMATION FLIGHT -

Authored by [HVY]Mixxd, pilot in VMFA-390 and real life Air Traffic Controller.

Division Parade (Echelon)

It is incumbent on the flight lead to minimize aggressive maneuvering (no greater than 30 deg AOB) in this formation as the “whip” action makes it difficult for dash 3 and 4 to maintain a proper bearing line. Gradual changes in airspeed are also recommended to ensure formation integrity. Pilots should delay transitioning to division parade formation for as long as possible (e.g., after the final turn to the runway initial is complete). Division parade should not be used for extended IMC penetration due to the “whip” effect and reduced visibility. (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2)

These formations are typically used for the Overhead at airfields and the Carrier, and for Air to Air refueling.

ECHELON -

(Figure 1)

(Figure 2)

BALANCED PARADE -

Balanced Parade
The parameters for balanced parade are dash 2 and 4 maintain section parade on their respective leads. Then, dash 3 increases lateral separation on the lead aircraft until the outrigger landing gear wheel is in the center of the fuselage avionics panel (door 60L or R) of dash 2; and stepped down by aligning the wingtip and bottom of the fuselage. This leaves enough space between lead and dash 3 for dash 2 to cross under to form division parade. (Fig. 3)

(Figure 3)

FINGERTIP (FINGER-FOUR)

When entering IMC conditions with a three or four plane formation, the preferred option is to divide the flight into a section and a single (3-ship) or into two sections (4-ship) in RADAR trail. If this is not feasible, the lead directs the flight to assume fingertip formation. To execute this formation, start in balanced parade and have dash 3 move up into parade on the lead. (Fig. 4)

(Figure 4)

CRUISE FORMATION -

The parameters for section cruise are: a 120-degree cone aft of lead’s 3/9 line, a minimum nose-to-tail separation of one aircraft length, and a slightly stepped-up position to enable the flight leader to keep sight of the wing-man. When maneuvering, the wing-man maintains position in the cone inside or outside the lead’s turn radius to manage proper nose-to-tail separation. Maintaining position in the cone is critical to ensuring collision avoidance if the lead maneuvers abruptly. (Fig. 5)

(Figure 5)

DIVISION DEPLOYED ECHELON -

The parameters for division deployed echelon are: all aircraft on bearing line 45 degrees aft of lead’s 3/9 line. Dash 2 is 0.5 to 1.0 NM from lead. Dash 3 is from 1.0 to 1.5 NM from lead. Dash 4 is 0.5 to 1.0 NM from Dash 3. Dash 3 maintains an altitude split of level to 1,000 feet above or below lead. (Fig. 6)