Student Naval Aviator here

The T-45 is used by the USN and USMC to train student naval aviators in tactical flight and carrier operations. We use it for advanced jet training like the Air Force uses the T-38. Myself and my fellow students will finish here and earn their wings of gold. The aircraft that we will be selected to fly after wings include the F/A-18C, F/A-18E/F, EA-6B, AV-8B, E-2C, or C-2A. I am in the E-2C/C-2A pipeline. If given the choice, I will choose to fly the E-2C Hawkeye. I'm pretty sure that I will get it so yes, I do know what I will fly.

The T-45 is actually a modified version of the British Hawk. The British flight demonstraion team, The Red Hawks, fly the Hawk for their show. There are a few countries that use the Hawk or a version of it for actual warfare. It is capable of carrying bombs, rockets, and I believe can carry a gun pod. Hope that helps.

 

Well, there is a lot I could say about formation flying. I'll just keep it limited to two plane form to keep it simple. Obviously, one plane will be lead, and the other wing. Lead is responsible for, but not limited to, the integrity of the flight, area management, and flying a good lead (i.e. no sudden climbs/descents, or turns). Wing is responsible for maintaining good position on lead, and not hitting him.

We work on various maneuvers during our training flights, building on each previous flight with the introduction of more maneuvers. The first flights start off with an interval takeoff followed by a joinup in the air. Eventually you will start to conduct section takeoffs where you're in formation beginning with the takeoff roll. In the area, we practice turns into, turns away, crossunders (moving to the other side of lead), breakup and rendezvous (6 of them), and lead change. There are procedures that are taught for everyone of these maneuvers, but the real learning takes place when you're just up there doing them. Each flight ends with both aircraft coming back for the section break at the field and then getting several passes for carrier landing practice.

As far as flying in formation with another aircraft, it's mainly about having various points on lead's aircraft, and lining them up. Then you use the relative motion of those points to determine if your going sucked or acute, or judging your lateral and vertical separation as well. These reference points will obviously be different with every aircraft. In the T-45, our ideal parade position is on a 30° bearing line from lead (looking right down the leading edge of his wing), with 5 ft of step down and 3 ft of wingtip separation. Believe me, it's close. But it's very satisfying when you can hold that position and it get's easier with experience.

At this point, I could go on and on. I'd be happy to answer more specific questions if you have any. I think I should say though that none of what I say should be used as instruction for formation flying of your own. I'd certainly recommend finding a qualified instructor that could explain the specifics of your aircraft, and who would also be knowledgable about civilian formation flying regulations since they might be quite different.