In formation flying, what is the role of number 1 during a rejoin?

In formation flying, the role of number 1 during a rejoin primarily involves initiating guidance for number 2. This means that number 1 is responsible for leading the formation and communicating the necessary maneuvers to facilitate a successful rejoin with the following aircraft. Number 1 sets the visual cues and parameters that number 2 will use to align and adjust their position in relation to the lead aircraft. This guidance is essential for maintaining safety, stability, and proper spacing during the rejoin process.

Effective communication and strategically planned movements are crucial as they help number 2 understand how to approach and integrate into the formation safely and efficiently. The lead does not necessarily fly at a higher speed nor does the role explicitly require making quick decisions about formation changes on their own; instead, it relies on clear and continuous guidance to ensure that both aircraft can fly together cohesively. Additionally, while maintaining altitude and position is a fundamental aspect of formation flying, it's secondary to the directive role of number 1 in this context.