[Mr Rogers]

“I can clearly observe the relationship of the pilot’s eye level with respect to the wing”

I’ve done a bajillion rejoins in F4s and F-111s. Yes, it is easy to lose sight - and that is because the body of the aircraft comes between you and the guy you are rejoining on.

Best option is reduce bank angle, go low and slide a bit outside and behind, then adjust again as you regain sight. In some cases, pulling way high or cutting very hard inside may be the right answer.

Bottom line, the guy rejoining is responsible for maintaining deconfliction. Lead is working on other stuff and needs to be predictable.

[GingisK]

That was very informative! Thank you so much for an experienced analysis. We’ve just been waving our ignorance around.

[Raven6]

Exactly... Thank you. No power plant or fuselage is transparent. I had instructor pilots try to talk me into using their services by saying their Pipers had better visibility when turning base and final. I replied with "if you know how to use your watch and bank indicator correctly, you can do it just as cleanly in a Cessna... and have a better view in level flight. If I'm flying VFR, I like a view!" I feel sad for all involved, but those talking about "intentional", or "suicide", or talking about visibility from the pilot seat, just don't understand the average pilot mindset, or actual visibility involved when you drop your butt into that seat. I've sat in a F-86, P-47, P-51D, and yes, even a P-63. And the video linked in this thread from the P-51 pilot's POV were shot with a wide angle lens on a camera mounted on top of the pilot's helmet - the real view looks nowhere close to what is shown.