PN
CM, I was referring to the need for the pilot to lean forward and peer up to keep the proceeding aircraft in sight, quite different from a clear canopy. The video shows this.
No, the video shows a pilot to lean forward and peer up, it does not show the reason why. As CM stated, it is a question of correct formation position, and only the aircraft which one flys its position of is of relevance.
ShotOne
Which prompts me to question the thread title "ex-military"?
Formation flying has to be trained, and military pilots not only have trained it, they have long expierience in doing it, even in night and IMC and some with bad guys shooting at them. So the poster may have choosen this title to express the fact, that it was good thinking of Airbus to use those test pilots with military formation flying expierience to fly this type of mission. Or do you expect any line pilot could do it?