How in the world can I get better at formation flying?

[Dejjvid]

I'm not evul towards my wingies as lead. It's not like I'm trucking along with 100% throttle while requesting a rejoin ;)

 

When I fly as wingman and form up on lead I use my mk 1 eyeballs to estimate the speed, if I'm within 40 IAS I know I can slow down within 5 plane lengths. But often I gradually reduce power until I'm solid in position.

 

The biggest beginner mistake is that pilots doesn't understand how fast the A-10C actually slow down. They exaggerate and cut throttles to 0% and apply speed brakes. In the same scenario I would throttle down 20% and slide in to position.

 

I've already promised a dude on YouTube a formation flying vid, when I have time to record one ill post it here as well.

[Stuka]

One method I like to use is to center my hud (TVV) on the wingtip of my wingman. This forces me to use smaller control inputs and allows me to keep a forward look instead of always looking out of the side of my cockpit.

 

 

 

Any fighter sneaking up behind you in that formation, will thank you for that "1 shot, 2 kills" :D

[Eddie]

Yep. Entirely defeats the tactical purpose and philosophy behind formations. Such things look good in air shows, but have less than zero tactical use.

[Mike Busutil]

Well of course this is not a "tactical formation"... This is just having fun practicing formation with friends.

Edited December 6, 2013 by Mike Busutil

[GGTharos]

You're just as 'dead meat' in tactical if you don't know and understand how to use that formation in air to air combat.

 

Most people don't know how to use any formation in any combat :D

[Eddie]

You're just as 'dead meat' in tactical if you don't know and understand how to use that formation in air to air combat.

 

Most people don't know how to use any formation in any combat :D

 

You mean formation flying isn't just for airshows? Waaaaa? :eek:

[GGTharos]

I know, I was surprised too!

[TurboHog]

Thrustmaster T.16000 is the way to go if you can't afford their high-end Warthog stick. The long throws and hall sensors will greatly improve your precise flying skills. Never want to go back to that Logitech extreme 3d pro.

 

I align the bottom of my mirrors with the pilot I'm following as reference in the A10C and F-15C. You can also try to align the nav light/ wingtip with the pilot's head.

[slowhand]

Tactical formation flying, I think has a lot to do with the way you would setup radar and scanning :music_whistling::smartass:

[GGTharos]

What if your A-10C doesn't have a radar?

[Eddie]

Tactical formation flying, I think has a lot to do with the way you would setup radar and scanning :music_whistling::smartass:

 

Tac form has almost nothing at all to do with that, and everything to do with mutual support and deconfliction.

[ENO]

The latter of which has proven to be a major basic consideration when you have A-10s stacked and racked over a target area.

 

I mean- at its most fundamentally basic level if guys can organize themselves while orbiting a target area so they don't hit one another they're a step ahead.