12/12/07 Wingman Training

[Simaril]

Thie went differently than I expected, but it was great overall. Honestly almost too much information! And thats probably why they wanted as many present as possible, because there was just so much to teach. Unfortunately, they specifically told us to join up by name list and NOT by squad, presumably because they didnt want to waste time pairing up.

Since not everyone could be there (including me...I had to leave for the second -- unexpected -- hour) I thought it would be good to share some of the info here so all could benefit. Some of these points will take some practice, some will be automatic as soon as we practice them...so here goes.


1. Do NOT use throttle to stay together. Instead, use elevator pitch: If you're behind, nose down to speed up; if you're running ahead, nose up and turn that speed energy into altitude. Reason is simple -- in any fight, wingman or not, you don't want to give up advantage unneccesarily.

2. Wingman elements should space themselves at 1000 - 1500 yards. usually with one a bit higher than the other. ALthough both will scan 360 degrrees, each has a primary responsibility for their 1/2- 3/4 circle, woth overlap at edges.

3. Turns require switching position. Turning with "welded wing" position maintenence requires the inside guy slow down, and the energy sacrifice is unacceptable. Instead, turns are called by the near side pilot..who continues to fly striaght at first. The far side pilot turns inward, and jsut when the far side pilot reaches the near side pilot's 6 postions, the near guy turns as well. If needed, one or the other may need to nose up or down to maintain equal postion in the new heading.

4. Which brings the next point -- there is no "lead" or "trail" pilto in a formation. Everything is flexible based on the situation. The lead attacking pilot will change multiple times even in the same engagement.

5. Next maneuver is a little tricky to describe, but think of it as a side to side switch without changing direction. Begin with the two pilots in their spread formation, and on the call they both break 90 degrees inward, as if they are going to HO each other. (Nifty -- don't get any ideas!) Then, as they cross, they roll back another 90 degrees so they'r efacing the original direction. The name escapes me at the moment, but the move can be done with the final heading being any point of the compass.



Now, as I said, I wasn't able to say for the combat applications. But, it seems to me that these moves will automatically keep the pair flying together, and will likely give each other some very real shot opportunities as the planes (and their pursuers) cross paths.

If anyone is able, post what the main points were for the second hour!

[Twolf]

#5 was a Forward Shackle.

[Morfiend]

  Agreed Sim,too much imfo.
 
I think we need to setup a day to practice some of the techniques that the trainers showed us.We could do some 4V2 2V1 etc.etc.This would be best done in TA,using the honour system,once hit,smoke on and move out of the fight.This is what Widewing does for his drills,I've seen him take on 4 or 5 planes like this.

 I see this as an excellent way to practice wingman tacs.

 1 of the problems I'm having in FSO is loosing contact with my wingy,short icon range doesnt help either.An example of this happened awhile back,lost my wingman,not sure if he crashed,got shot, not that it's anybodies fault.Then I see Heavy,low near the ground,but I can't see the con on his 6.I almost left him hanging there when heavy says"Morf can ya get this con off my 6" which I was more than happy to do,with the help of DD the con went down!!!

 The other problem is,my wingman sees a con below us,he dives after the con and I loose vis. on both.Partly this is a lack of communication between my wingman and myself and partly the short icon range.

With a little practice and certain proceedures this should never happen. Maybe the cons should be called out and flight leader then gives the go ahead to attack.
 Atleast that way both pilots would know what the other is going to do and when.

  Well thats my story and I'm sticking to it.....