lead plane
First in squadron
A lead plane is an aircraft that flies ahead of others to guide them, particularly in firefighting operations where it directs air tankers to drop retardant on specific locations.
The lead plane pilot assesses conditions, identifies targets, and demonstrates the approach path for following aircraft.
The lead plane made a low pass over the ridge before the tankers came in.
- bomberExplosive-delivery aircraft or saboteur
- fighterOne who engages in combat
- airshipSteerable lighter-than-atmosphere craft
- aircraftAirborne transportation vehicle
- spotterSafety backup person
air attack · low pass · smokejumper · air tanker · fire retardant · aerial firefighting · aviation · vanguard · point man · formation flying · jet · drop zone · trailblazer · command and control · radio communication · pioneer · head start · flight path
- aerial firefightingair tanker, water bomber, scooper, aerial attack, Erickson