Which of the following best describes the location of aircraft 2 in a heavy left formation?

• A. On the right side of the lead
• B. On the left side of the lead
• C. In front of the lead
• D. Behind the lead

Answer: (A)

In a heavy left two-ship formation, aircraft 2 is positioned to the lead’s right side, slightly aft. This offset preserves safe spacing and gives the lead a clear line of sight to the wingman while maintaining stable lateral balance. Placing the follower on the right also reduces the risk of collision during turns, especially left turns, by keeping the follower out of the lead’s immediate flight path on that maneuver.

Being in front or directly behind changes the formation geometry to a different formation (a lead with a trail or single-file), and placing the follower on the left would alter the standard two-ship layout for a heavy left.