Joining after separation

[golfsierra2]

There are hundreds of threads dealing with air combat tactics, but only very few dealing with standard problems of online flying.

 

Question: What is the most efficient way of joining two aircraft after they were separated (for whatever reason, no tally anymore), with no GCI available ?

 

Please post your best workable procedure (one that you use yourself).

[Frostie]

The best way without a visual on your buddy, other than feeling comfortable and knowing that you're already in a relative wedge, spread or trail position to your buddy, is probably marking with contrails. Knowing what each other is doing and building a picture is vital.

[S77th-konkussion]

Meet at a prearranged waypoint or communicate that WP as needed.. I'm SURE everyone's on comms, after all. ;)

[Robos]

Or, before you have been separated, you can choose any specific point on ground, as a joining zone. Of course i dont mean about point like tower, or building, but area which is well seen from air, for ex. lake, mountain, river, road, city, etc.

[EtherealN]

Bullseye.

 

Say positions relative to bullseye, then establish an anchor point a and altitude at a bullseye reference.

 

Assuming you aren't at a very well known area where you can just say "anchor Kupitnari angels 33" and be happy with it. :P

[Case]

From our experience in the 51st the quickest way to regain visuals and return to combat formations is for one or both of the pilots to briefly mark (get into contrails). Typically both aircraft would already be on the same heading, so once visuals are regained the lead of the flight can then decide how to return both aircraft back into combat formation.

 

In the 51st we typically use this tactic when extending from the fight on a pre-arranged extending heading. The two pilots can be either too close to each other, too far away from each other or one being ahead or behind the lead. To return back into spread to the attack heading the lead can ask the wingman to do a hook turn (180 degree turn) into or away from him to close or widen the spread, and/or he can do the hook himself earlier or later than the wingman to negate the wingman being ahead or behind.

[YorZor]

Just relay magnetic bearings to bullseye. Other pilot can calculate a heading where to go quickly and then just pop 1 flare if needed.

Basically

 

Position to WP/BE

Angels

 

Nothing more.