Whose duty is it to ensure flight path deconfliction?

The duty of ensuring flight path deconfliction primarily falls on the wingman, as this role involves maintaining awareness of the formation's position relative to other aircraft and the environment. The wingman must consistently monitor both tactical situational awareness and maintain visual contact with the lead to prevent any potential conflicts.

While the lead pilot is responsible for the overall flight path and making navigational decisions, it is the wingman's task to stay vigilant about any changes that could affect the formation's integrity. The wingman must communicate effectively and relay any observations that could influence deconfliction, demonstrating the importance of mutual awareness in a formation flight scenario.

Air Traffic Control does play a significant role in deconflicting flights under their jurisdiction but their focus is on managing airspace for multiple aircraft rather than specific formation dynamics. The co-pilot, depending on the context, typically assists the pilot but does not bear the main responsibility for ensuring deconfliction in formation flying. Thus, the wingman, with a dedicated focus on relational positioning and tactical awareness, is best suited for the task.