the.com/wingman
the loyal copilot who flies into social danger so you don't crash alone
means A friend who accompanies you in social situations, especially to help you approach or impress a potential romantic partner.
from Borrowed straight from military aviation, where a wingman is the pilot who flies just off the leader's wing, guarding their blind spot and covering them in combat. The term took off in World War II-era air forces and was cemented in popular imagination by fighter-pilot culture; by the late 20th century it had glided into civilian slang for the buddy watching your back at the bar instead of in the sky.
- military origin
- protects the lead pilot's vulnerable rear flank
- flight position
- flies slightly behind and to the side
- trust required
- your life literally depends on theirs
- unwritten code
- never abandons formation under fire
goose in top gun — anthony edwards' character who flies alongside maverick in the 1986 film
charles lindbergh's friend — bert acosta flew as wingman on lindbergh's 1927 transatlantic attempt before solo flight
red baron's jasta 11 — manfred von richthofen's pilots, including karl allmenröder, flew as his wingmen in wwi