Formation type approaching the boat

[Steinsch]

At which point during the approach to the carrier for a recovery does the flight start flying in parade formation?

[Phantom711]

Not my own knowledge, just checked a document about the T-45 carrier qual: (NOTE: It is not marked as For official use only or anything...)

 

MARSHAL PATTERN ENTRY

Establish level flight at your assigned altitude 10 nm prior to entering the holding pattern (Figure 4-1) in balanced formation or as briefed.

.....

MARSHAL PATTERN RECOVERY (CASE I)

[...] The lead will form the flight in right echelon prior to arriving at the initial.

 

So technically it doesn`t say, if it is parade or cruise formation. Checked some videos on yt and it looked like parade to me....

Edited November 23, 2022 by Phantom711

[MARLAN_]

Right Echelon Parade begins NLT Initial

Anywhere else you can continue flying cruise, either echelon right or fingertip.

[Steinsch]

Awesome, thanks!

[Zodiacc]

For CASE I Cyclic Operations every flight ( up to 4 ) has their assigned marshal holding altitude and establish together.If they are more than 2 ship they may prefer something different than right echelon in the stack but when they hit commence, right echelon is way to go.

Therefore we can say between commence and initial you need to switch right echelon.