On Sep 11, 9:51*pm, Orval Fairbairn
wrote:
In article
,

Standard separation is 3 ft down (wingtips), 3 ft back (nose to tail),
establish your spots on your wingman to maintain a 45 deg angle. The
spots usually a aileron inboard trailing edge to wing TE and some
distinguishing mark on the fuselage, like a step, cowl latch, paint
stripe intersection with a door post, etc.

Remember -- if you can't see your wingman's head, he can't see you, so
you are out of position (usually sucked). In turns, you maintain
relative position, always keeping the spots aligned.

Throttle is your most important control.

Interesting, I didn't feel we were that close (3 feet). It felt close
but only a yard stick is mighty close!

I heard that term sucked, but I didn't quite understand "smooshed"? I
was thinking that was out of position?

Lead was working on his certification (I think NATA) in which this
flight was all about.