Why are flight formations always horizontal? These no different

Ender Wiggin plz go

>>32295027
Allows the pilots in formation to more easily see each other. It's easier to turn your head to the side than to crane your next around looking for the other member of your formation.

Source: my ass

That's an airshow type of formation. Actual tactical formations can be 1-5 miles apart from fighter to fighter with various altitude stacks. So yeah, they aren't all horizontal, you just don't know anything about tactical flying.

>>32295027
>Why are flight formations always horizontal?

They're not.

read a history book.

>>32295027

close formations are for going through weather or BD checks or rejoining after a takeoff/a tactical event/going down initial.

route or spread or wedge are what we usually fly.

>>32295239

this. the formation's altitude deconflicted for safety.

>>32295442

or tactical or wall or FDL wall.

>>32295480
Or trail, system trail, container, offset container, etc. OP doesn't know

>>32295554

i don't think i've ever flown container outside of TR. 2+2 LAB all the time, sure.

but yeah, OP, there are a lot of formation positions. A/A TACAN, JHMCS, FDL all help with station keeping, as does line of sight rates and the fact that if you suck at formation you're probably not getting a T-38 slot and will fly an alone and unafraid jet like a RC-135.

>>32295027
You can't see beneath your nose

Air pockets. If your jet hits an air pocket, it immediately loses control, and will descend. If you have a plane beneath you, there is an inherent risk of collision. Also radial movement in your neck. The fact that when you all descend in unison you won't run the risk of colliding into a plane beneath you.