What is the required altitude separation when executing a turning lost wingman maneuver?

When executing a turning lost wingman maneuver, the required altitude separation is 1,000 feet. This standard is crucial for maintaining safety and ensuring sufficient vertical distance between aircraft during what can potentially be a chaotic situation when one aircraft has lost visual reference with its wingman. By maintaining this 1,000 feet of altitude separation, pilots can avoid mid-air collisions during the maneuver, as well as allow for safer recovery and reestablishment of formation flying after the maneuver is completed. This altitude separation gives each aircraft enough room to maneuver without adversely affecting the flight path of the other, especially as one wingman executes a turn away from the flight formation to regain visual contact or exit an unsafe condition.