Lead Change

The Lead will normally give one or two minutes notice of a lead change. The actual change will strictly follow the format below:

• Lead calls, (Callsign- other aircraft), take the lead;
• Wing acknowledges, and moves out to three wingspans and then moving forward through line abreast;
• Prior to passing line abreast, Wing calls "[Callsign], passing right/left, taking the lead";
• Lead replies, "[Callsign], visual." (This call should be made as the other aircraft passes line abreast)
• "[Callsign], visual" is the executive for the leadership change. Then and only then does the leadership change. Wing can then cease formating and start leading.

The following procedure is to be used to effect a lead change by hand signals:

• The Lead points to the Wing and then points to the front.
• The Wing moves approximately three wingspans wide before moving forward. As the Wing approaches abeam he/she points to his/her chest and raises his/her hand, forefinger raised to indicate the No 1 position. The change of lead is effected when the pilot relinquishing the lead raises the thumb in acknowledgement.
• No 2 assumes responsibility for the transponder from the lead change. Therefore, before the change, lead should select the Transponder to SBY and switch the TCAD off and the No 2 should select ON/ALT after the lead change.