Which standard flight and landing formation has all subsequent aircraft at a 45-degree angle to the left rear of the number one aircraft?

• A. Trail
• B. Echelon left
• C. Echelon right
• D. V formation

Answer: (B)

In this setup, every follower sits behind and to the left of the lead aircraft, forming a diagonal line where each position is at about a 45-degree angle to the left rear of the leader. That arrangement is known as echelon left. It creates a stepped, left-leaning formation that preserves visibility and spacing while keeping the group coordinated around the lead.

The other formations don’t match this geometry: a trail is a straight line directly behind the lead, echelon right would place followers to the right rear, and a V formation spreads aircraft to both sides rather than forming a uniform left-rear diagonal from the lead.