Definitions

1. Noun:
   • A flight (of military aircraft): A tactical unit of military aircraft, typically consisting of a small number of planes (e.g., 2 to 4) operating together, especially in combat or training formations.
   • A squadron (in specific contexts): In some military organizational structures, it can refer to a small squadron or flight, which is a subdivision of a larger aviation regiment or group.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Biên đội máy bay tiêm kích đang tuần tra trên Biển Đông. (The fighter flight is patrolling over the East Sea.)
  • Phi công đó chỉ huy một biên đội gồm ba chiếc. (That pilot commands a flight of three aircraft.)
  • Biên đội thực hiện một đợt không kích vào ban đêm. (The flight carried out a night bombing raid.)

Advanced Usage

• "biên đội trưởng": flight leader.
  • Anh ấy được bổ nhiệm làm biên đội trưởng. (He was appointed as the flight leader.)
• "biên đội hình cánh chim": echelon formation (literally "bird-wing formation").
  • Các máy bay bay theo biên đội hình cánh chim. (The aircraft are flying in an echelon formation.)

Variants and Related Words

• Phi đội (n): This is a more common and general term for a "squadron" or "flight" of aircraft. It can be larger than a .
• Đội bay (n): A generic term for a flying team or crew.
• Trung đội (n): A platoon (ground military unit). Note: This is a different military unit for ground forces, not to be confused with .

Synonyms

• Flight: A group of aircraft operating together, especially a tactical unit. (The closest direct equivalent.)
• Squadron (in certain contexts): A principal tactical unit in air forces, often larger than a flight.

Related Phrases

• Hợp thành biên đội: to form up into a flight.
  • Các máy bay hợp thành biên đội trước khi xuất kích. (The aircraft formed up into a flight before sortie.)
• Bay theo biên đội: to fly in formation (as a flight).
  • Họ được huấn luyện để bay theo biên đội. (They are trained to fly in formation.)

Notes on Usage

• Military Context: The word "biên đội" is used almost exclusively in a military aviation context. It is not used for commercial airline flights or groups of birds.
• Specificity: It specifically denotes a small, cohesive tactical unit. For larger units like a full squadron () or wing (), other terms are used.
• Historical Usage: The term is commonly found in historical accounts, news reports, and literature about the Vietnamese air force and wartime aviation.

noun

1. Flight (of fighting planes)