9.21. Introduction This section describes the basic positions and maneuvers used in T-6 formation. Positions are defined with regard to the formation position and the formation spacing. The basic formation positions are fingertip and echelon. The basic spacing options are close and route.

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9.21.1. Fingertip.

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9.21.2. Objective. Maintain close formation spacing for weather penetration, airfield arrival, departure, flyovers, and/or aerial demonstration formations.

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9.21.3. Description. The fingertip position is flown on an angle approximately 30 degrees aft of the 3/9 line (equates to a 6 AA), with approximately 10 feet of wingtip separation. It is the closest that number 2 will be to number 1 during formation flying. Therefore, maintaining the proper position is critical to flight path deconfliction. See Figure 9.16.

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9.21.4. Procedure. In fingertip, the contract is that number 1 will fly a smooth aircraft, and number 2 will adjust to maintain proper position. Number 2’s primary FCP reference to maintain proper vertical (up and down) position is to place the engine exhaust stack on top of number 1’s closest wing. Number 2’s primary reference to maintain proper longitudinal (fore and aft) position is to center number 1’s aft position light on the front edge of the engine exhaust stack opening and align number 1’s pitot tube with the aft edge of the engine exhaust stack opening (which should be visible above the wing). Number 2’s primary reference to maintain proper lateral spacing (distance between number 1 and number 2) is when number 2’s FCP pilot is aligned with the forward edge of number 1’s horizontal stabilizer and the rudder hinge (Figure 9.17.). This lateral reference maintains approximately 10 feet of wingtip spacing between the aircraft.

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9.21.4.1. Good fingertip position is the result of recognizing deviations, anticipating required control inputs, and applying deliberate corrections. Make continuous, small, and controlled corrections to stay in position. Keeping the aircraft trimmed and coordinated decreases workload and generally makes it easier to maintain position. Number 1 should maintain a constant power setting or make smooth power changes, so number 2 can make small, precise power changes instead of large changes. Power corrections usually require three PCL movements: one to start the correction, one to stop the aircraft movement in relation to number 1, and finally one to stabilize the aircraft in the proper position. Keep in mind as number 2 that more power is needed when outside number 1 and less power is needed when inside number 1’s turn circle.

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9.21.4.2. When a deviation is recognized, initially correct one reference at a time. Correct the vertical position (stack) first, correct fore and aft (line) second, and finally adjust the lateral spacing (spacing) in or out. Push (forward control stick pressure) or pull (aft control stick pressure) to move the aircraft vertically up or down with respect to number 1. Increase power to move the aircraft forward and decrease power to move the aircraft back. Finally, make small (almost imperceptible) bank angle changes toward or away from number 1 to move the aircraft laterally in or out. Making corrections out of order will decrease stability and increase difficulty and time it takes to get back into a stable position.

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9.21.4.3. Number 1 executes a shallow wing rock to direct number 2 to fingertip from route.

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