Starting at the beginning of the second set of weyrling lessons, each weyrling is provided a copy of a series of pamphlets that demonstrate the formations that Wings work in. The first of the series is the Flights (trios of dragons working together). At first, the Weyrlingmaster assigns Flights somewhat at random; as their personalities develop, he selects several to receive special training as well as some who show Wingleader and Wingsecond promise; one of each of these will later be in charge of each trio.

Included within this thread are the 27 Flight formations. Each image includes three views of the formation: from the right side, from the top, and from the front (or back, depending on your point of view); as well as the command that the Weyrlingmaster (later, the Wingleader and/or Wingseconds) will order the formation by. There is also a brief description of what each formation is typically used for.

"Flat" formation is the standard, triangular formation which Wings fly in. This formation is especially typical of trios, as it is often used by the Weyrleader and his two most-trusted aides (typically, his Wingleaders and/or Wingseconds). Launching, flying, and landing are performed in this formation. Because of its staggered nature, it is also often used for demonstrations as it makes the Wing appear larger than it really is.

In the flat formation, one dragon flies point, one flies left, and one flies right. This is how the positions are often called when being used to described other triangular trio positions, such as "point down" (in which the point dragon dips below the left and right dragons). From above, the formation is triangular in shape; from all sides, the trio of dragons are level.

The "Tight" command may be used in several situations, but whenever it is used, dragons are expected to stay in whatever formation they were in previously, but to reduce space between themselves and their neighbors. This position is often used during heavy Threadfall in order to decrease the amount of space between dragons to help prevent Thread from escaping the flames of the dragons.

From above, the formation looks very similar to the standard "Flat" formation, but the dragons are closer together, wings almost overlapping (or overlapping slightly). From the sides, however, it shows that the even ranks from front to back are somewhat higher than the odd rows. This is especially important during Threadfall in order to avoid flaming the dragon in front of you.

Like "Tight," "Loose" is a command that may be used in any formation; similarly, dragons should remain in the formation they were in before the command was issued. However, rather than closing up ranks, this order increases the space between dragons. It is a command often used during scattered, especially hazardous, or light Threadfall to increase the space to prevent accidental flamings or collisions (and, when Fall is light, a single dragon is capable of protecting a larger space).

From above, the formation looks just like a standard flat trio formation, but more widespread, with easily a full dragonlength between individuals. From the sides, again, it resembles the standard flat formation, but with more space between rows. Dragons fly level because there is little to no danger of flaming each other in this amount of space.

"Point Down" is a command directed at the front-most dragon in a formation and instructs them to drop a level below the rank behind them. This formation is especially useful during Falls taking place over flat land where the wind blows straight, driving the Leading Edge further forward at the higher elevations than at the lower elevations.

From above, the formation should look no different than the standard formation. From the sides, however, the point dragon should be a level below the left and right dragon.

"Point Deep" is another command directed at the front-most dragon in a formation and instructs them to drop two levels below the rank behind them. This formation is especially useful during Falls taking place over flat land with gentle winds where the wind blows straight, driving the Leading Edge further only slightly further forward at the higher elevations than at the lower elevations.

From above, the formation should look no different than the standard formation. From the sides, however, the point dragon should be two levels below the left and right dragon.

"Point Up" is another command directed at the front-most dragon in a formation and instructs them to rise a level above the rank behind them. This formation is especially useful during Falls taking place over uneven or hot land where the wind blows upwards or is rife with thermals, driving the Leading Edge further forward at the lower elevations than at the higher elevations.

From above, the formation should look no different than the standard formation. From the sides, however, the point dragon should be a level above the left and right dragon.

"Point Tall" is another command directed at the front-most dragon in a formation and instructs them to rise two levels above the rank behind them. This formation is especially useful during Falls taking place over uneven or warm or wet land where the wind gently blows upwards or has mild thermals, driving the Leading Edge slightly further forward at the lower elevations than at the higher elevations.

From above, the formation should look no different than the standard formation. From the sides, however, the point dragon should be two levels above the left and right dragon.

"Slope Left" is a command directed at the left and right dragons in a formation; the left dragon rises one level above the point dragon while the right dragon drops one level below the point dragon. This formation is often used during the commands "Bank Right" or "Climb Left" (described later on in Pamphlet #2: Wing Movements).

From above, the formation should look no different than the standard formation. From the sides, however, the point dragon should be on a level while the second rank dragons are two full levels different: the left dragon is a level above the point dragon with the right dragon a level below.

"Steep Left" is another command directed at the left and right dragons in a formation; the left dragon rises two levels above the point dragon while the right dragon drops two levels below the point dragon. This formation is often used during the commands "Sharp Right" or "Dive Right" (described later on in Pamphlet #2: Wing Movements).

From above, the formation should look no different than the standard formation. From the sides, however, the point dragon should be on a level while the second rank dragons are four full levels different: the left dragon is two level above the point dragon with the right dragon two levels below.

"Slope Right" is another command directed at the left and right dragons in a formation; the right dragon rises one level above the point dragon while the left dragon drops one level below the point dragon. This formation is often used during the commands "Bank Left" or "Climb Right" (described later on in Pamphlet #2: Wing Movements).

From above, the formation should look no different than the standard formation. From the sides, however, the point dragon should be on a level while the second rank dragons are two full levels different: the left dragon is a level below the point dragon with the right dragon a level above.

"Steep Right" is another command directed at the left and right dragons in a formation; the right dragon rises two levels above the point dragon while the left dragon drops two levels below the point dragon. This formation is often used during the commands "Sharp Left" or "Dive Left" (described later on in Pamphlet #2: Wing Movements).

From above, the formation should look no different than the standard formation. From the sides, however, the point dragon should be on a level while the second rank dragons are four full levels different: the left dragon is two level below the point dragon with the right dragon two levels above.

"Point Down, Steep Left" is a command directed at all three dragons in a trio formation; the right dragon remains on level while the left dragon rises one level and the point dragon drop one level. This is a command that may be used during Threadfall where there are hazardous wind conditions because it scatters the dragons in a way that prevents accidents but still covers the area that needs covered; it is especially useful when the winds are blowing from the 12:30-2:30 angle to the path of the Leading Edge.

From above, the formation should look no different than the standard formation. From the sides, however, the point dragon is at the lowest level, the right dragon is on level, and the left dragon is at the highest level.

"Point Down, Steep Right" is another command directed at all three dragons in a trio formation; the left dragon remains on level while the right dragon rises one level and the point dragon drop one level. This is a command that may be used during Threadfall where there are hazardous wind conditions because it scatters the dragons in a way that prevents accidents but still covers the area that needs covered; it is especially useful when the winds are blowing from the 9:30-11:30 angle to the path of the Leading Edge.

From above, the formation should look no different than the standard formation. From the sides, however, the point dragon is at the lowest level, the left dragon is on level, and the right dragon is at the highest level.

"Point Up, Steep Left" is like a mirror image of "Point Down, Steep Right;" the left dragon remains on level while the right dragon drops one level and the point dragon rises one level. This is a command that may be used during Threadfall where there are hazardous wind conditions because it scatters the dragons in a way that prevents accidents but still covers the area that needs covered; it is especially useful when the winds are blowing from the 3:30-5:30 angle to the path of the Leading Edge.

From above, the formation should look no different than the standard formation. From the sides, however, the point dragon is at the highest level, the left dragon is on level, and the right dragon is at the lowest level.

"Point Up, Steep Right" is like a mirror image of "Point Down, Steep Left;" the right dragon remains on level while the left dragon drops one level and the point dragon rises one level. This is a command that may be used during Threadfall where there are hazardous wind conditions because it scatters the dragons in a way that prevents accidents but still covers the area that needs covered; it is especially useful when the winds are blowing from the 6:30-8:30 angle to the path of the Leading Edge.

From above, the formation should look no different than the standard formation. From the sides, however, the point dragon is at the highest level, the right dragon is on level, and the left dragon is at the lowest level.

"Wide" is the first non-triangular standard formation the weyrlings are taught. "Wide" indicates that the dragons should present themselves in a single horizontal line. As with the standard triangular formation, "Loose" and "Tight" may be used with this position; "Tight" indicates that there should be a small amount of overlap on the wings, with the left and right dragons slightly above the center dragon; "Loose" dictates at least a dragonlength between wingtips, all on a level.

From in front/behind, the formation should look no different than the standard triangular formation: left and right dragons on level with the center dragon, evenly spaced horizontally. From the sides, however, only one full dragon should be visible. And from the top, the dragons form an even horizontal line along their wingtips.

"Slope Left, Wide" combines the new formation with a previous formation. As with "Slope Left," the left-hand dragon rises one level above the center (point) dragon, while the right-hand dragon drops one level. However, when combined with the "Wide" command, the maneuver should be performed in a straight horizontal line. This may be used during "Bank Right" or "Climb Left" commands.

From in front/behind, the formation should look no different than the standard "Slope Left" formation: the center dragon on level, the left dragon a level above and the right dragon a level below, evenly spaced horizontally. From the sides, all three dragons should be fully visible, with the right dragon slightly in front of the center dragon who is slightly in front of the left dragon. And from the top, the dragons form an even horizontal line along their wingtips.

"Steep Left, Wide" is similar to "Slope Left, Wide" but the left-hand dragon rises two levels above the center (point) dragon, while the right-hand dragon drops two levels. This may be used during "Sharp Right" or "Dive Right" commands.

From in front/behind, the formation should look no different than the standard "Steep Left" formation: the center dragon on level, the left dragon two levels above and the right dragon two levels below, evenly spaced horizontally. From the sides, all three dragons should be fully visible, with the right dragon well below the center dragon well below the left dragon. And from the top, the dragons form an even horizontal line along their wingtips.

"Slope Right, Wide" combines the new formation with a previous formation. As with "Slope Right," the right-hand dragon rises one level above the center (point) dragon, while the left-hand dragon drops one level. However, when combined with the "Wide" command, the maneuver should be performed in a straight horizontal line. This may be used during "Bank Left" or "Climb Right" commands.

From in front/behind, the formation should look no different than the standard "Slope Right" formation: the center dragon on level, the left dragon a level below and the right dragon a level above, evenly spaced horizontally. From the sides, all three dragons should be fully visible, with the right dragon slightly in front of the center dragon who is slightly in front of the left dragon. And from the top, the dragons form an even horizontal line along their wingtips.

"Steep Right, Wide" is similar to "Slope Right, Wide" but the right-hand dragon rises two levels above the center (point) dragon, while the left-hand dragon drops two levels. This may be used during "Sharp Left" or "Dive Left" commands.

From in front/behind, the formation should look no different than the standard "Steep Right" formation: the center dragon on level, the left dragon two levels below and the right dragon two levels above, evenly spaced horizontally. From the sides, all three dragons should be fully visible, with the right dragon well above the center dragon well above the left dragon. And from the top, the dragons form an even horizontal line along their wingtips.

"Straight" is to "Wide" what two walls are to each other at a corner: perpendicular. The dragons are in a line, but on the z-axis rather than the x-axis. All three dragons are on a level with a front dragon, a rear dragon, and a center dragon.

From in front/behind, only the front or rear dragon should be fully visible (NOTE: in the diagram above, you are viewing from the rear, NOT the front). From the sides, all three dragons should be fully visible in a straight line, front-to-back. And from the top, the dragons form an even line along their spines.

This is the first strictly "Point Down" formation in which all three dragons are involved. It affects the point and rear dragons; the point dragon drops one level, the center stays on level, and the rear dragon rises one level.

From the sides, all three dragons are fully visible with the rear dragon at the highest point and the point dragon at the lowest. From the top, the dragons form an even line along their spines.

Similar to the "Point Down, Straight" formation, this formation affects the point and rear dragons; the point dragon drops two levels, the center stays on level, and the rear dragon rises two levels.

From the sides, all three dragons are fully visible with the rear dragon at the highest point and the point dragon at the lowest. There are a full four levels vertically between the point dragon and the rear dragon. From the top, the dragons form an even line along their spines.

Similar to the "Point Down, Straight" formation, this formation affects the point and rear dragons; the point dragon rises one level, the center stays on level, and the rear dragon drops one level.

From the sides, all three dragons are fully visible with the rear dragon at the lowest point and the point dragon at the highest. From the top, the dragons form an even line along their spines.