GAGGLE: An undisciplined group of aircraft, milling about in roughly the same piece of sky, sometimes attempting to impersonate a FORMATION.

SECTION OR ELEMENT: A flight of two aircraft. The section is the basic fighting element and is self-supporting covering each other's six o'clock in combat (real or otherwise), and providing back-up on routine flights with radio or equipment malfunctions in addition to moral support and good company.

DIVISION OR FLIGHT: Four aircraft, consisting of two sections or elements, each with it's own leader, but under the command of the lead element's leader, who is designated ''flight lead." The flight is usually led by the most experienced pilot, with the second element leader as his deputy flight lead.

SUCKED: To fall behind the lead, or be too far out on the position bearing to be able to join up with available engine power.

ACUTE: The opposite of "sucked." To be in a position too far forward in the formation or on a bearing (angle) that would place the aircraft too far forward during rendezvous, creating an uncomfortable closure rate and angle for the joining aircraft; vis. an "acute' rendezvous bearing as compared to a "sucked' rendezvous bearing.

NOSE TO TAIL OVERLAP: As viewed from above, the nose of the #2 aircraft is farther forward than the tail of the #l. Naturally, as long as there is lateral separation between aircraft, no danger exists.

WINGTIP OVERLAP: No lateral separation exists. A time to be smooth and concentrate if you also have nose to tail overlap.

STEP DOWN: The #2 aircraft is a couple of feet or more lower than the lead. This allows room to maneuver in case of turns into the wingman.

STEP UP: What the thinking wingman does when the leader's making low passes!

BEARING: The horizontal angle on the lead as flown by the #2 aircraft. (If the wingman were to overrun his leader and fly too far forward of a proper position, he would be on an "acute bearing." If he is too far aft of his proper position, he is on a "sucked bearing."

RENDEZVOUS: To join the flight onto the leader, as after takeoff.

THE BREAK: The breakup of the formation over the runway when a flight does a 360 OVERHEAD. Also called "pitchout." A fighter maneuver indicating an abrupt bank and yank to accomplish a change of direction and/or altitude.

"GIMME ONE" or "GIMME SOME": What the wingman calls to the lead when he has insufficient power to keep up, asking for lead to reduce power by one inch or more of manifold pressure.

CALL SIGN: The code word or words that designate a flight, usually selected by the flight leader for that particular mission. The flight then would be designated (In the case of a call sign of "Red Flight") as:"Red Lead," "Red Two," "Red Three', and "Red Four." In the case of large formations divided into flights, the flights might be divided as follows, Red. Blue, Yellow, etc or Alpha. Bravo, etc. Any combination of names can be used, depending upon the imagination and audacity of the flight leader.

BINGO FUEL: The fuel state at which the flight must return to base. A predetermined fuel figure remaining in gallons, pounds, or minutes which will allow sale return to base plus sufficient overhead reserve. When the wingman signals bingo fuel, the leader acknowledges and heads for base.

PARADE: Formation configuration to be used when under observation by the public, as in an airshow appearance. Parade formation is demanding, since the aircraft are in close physical proximity to each other. It requires absolute concentration on the part of the wingmen and smooth leadership by the flight lead.

ENROUTE: A much looser version of the above, applied to any formation during cross-country fight. It allows the leader to control the flight, and reduces fatigue on the wingmen. Wingmen maintain the same relative bearing on the leader but move out to allow nose to tail and wingtip separation.

SMASH: Airspeed or Energy. Normally used to denote energy available to accomplish a snappy fighter-type maneuver, such as a pitchup to landing.

INITIAL: As in initial approach. Refers to the approach on runway heading used when doing a 360 overhead break.

TALLY HO: Used to indicate that you have visually acquired whatever it is you were looking for.

NO JOY: Used to indicate that you have not visually acquired whatever it is you are looking for.