9
Enroute Formation
•Wing should try to maintain a constant “angle-off” from lead
–Adjust your spacing by moving up and down “the line”
–Flying far behind the lead (“sucked”) looks terrible and is:
•Extra work for you
•Can make you lose sight of the formation – not good!
• Bugs the lead big-time because he can’t see you
–Don’t show off by flying too close for safety
•Always maintain nose-to-tail and wing-to-wing horizontal clearance
•Maintain “step-down” for vertical clearance
•Give yourself extra room when performing cockpit “chores”
•Keep the radio chatter under control
–No need for lead to call heading changes except for beginners
–Don’t use the radio for a chat line – other flights need the frequency
–Wing must convey flight information and power requirements to lead
Enroute formation is what almost everyone thinks of when they think of formation – that is, flying in a precise position with respect to another (leader) plane.  To state what is perhaps the obvious, it is the job of the wing to hold his position with respect to the lead.  Lead should never attempt to control the position of his wingman by turning or altering power.  Any decent wingman will immediately alter his course and/or power to match the leader’s change, because he is flying where he is for a reason – namely, because that’s where he thinks he should be and/or where he is comfortable.  If the lead wants his wing in a different position he needs to tell the wing what he wants.  If this is outside the comfort zone of the wing (e.g., too close to lead) it’s his call, and the lead must respect wing’s personal limits.  Conversely, wing may want to fly in an uncomfortable or unsafe location in the opinion of the lead.  In this case, wing must do his best to correct his position, under the guidance/request of the lead, or else the formation just isn’t going to work for these pilots.
The key to holding station is aligning two points on the lead plane to set the desired “angle-off” (e.g., leading edge of the winglet with the front edge of the headrest).  Focusing on the alignment of these two points will immediately show the direction and magnitude of any relative motion between the two planes.  This technique will produce very accurate positioning!  When adjusting spacing between the lead and wing, this angle should be maintained as accurately as possible, with the wing sliding “up and down the line”.  I suggest you start with about a 45 degree angle-off; but find an angle that works for your flight.  Lead should be able to see wing comfortably.  For safety, the wing should always maintain nose-to-tail, wing-to-wing, and step-down clearance from the lead – no overlap allowed!
A typical error for the beginning pilot is to take up position well behind the lead (sucked) and/or many hundreds of feet away.  These locations are very difficult to fly accurately because the wing will have great difficulty judging relative motion, his geometry is terrible for turns, and flying sucked, sucks for the lead (he can’t see his wingman)!  Make your job a lot easier by flying reasonably close to the lead.  Once you get really, really good you can fly out in the boondocks!
Please resist the temptation to yak on the radio!  Other people need the frequency.  For flight safety and power setting information – absolutely; but please, cut out the chatter!  The military guys are very hard over on this point; but since we aren’t out to bomb North Korea, just use common sense.