A Performance to which to Aspire

[Guest davidh10]

I suppose I've always been fascinated by formation flying even though I've only ever attended a few air shows. While the Roulettes perform formation aerobatic manoeuvres, it isn't necessary to do aerobatics to create a good performance. To wit...

 

The Dutch MAT formation flying team are just amazing. Such a polished performance.

 

<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IENT5JVoBBI" allowfullscreen="" width="480" frameborder="0" height="390"></iframe>

 

I suspect this video may have been linked before, but it is such a polished performance, it is something to which to aspire.

 

I've started formation training with a view to acquiring my Formation Endorsement in a Group B aircraft (trike), so you can see why this video is inspiring for me.

 

Actually, Friday evening's flight was the third session of formation flying training, but has so far been informal. The formal course is yet to start as the CFI has been re-writing his FF training materials over the last five months, but I sense it is getting close.

 

The first occasion was probably six months ago and was for just 18 minutes, to get me used to the command structure and slow even banking so as not to lose the Wingman. The CFI flew Lead as Wingman (he gave the commands, and shadowed me as I executed them). The second occasion was earlier last week and was basically straight and level flight with only one turn initiated by me as Lead with the CFI flying as Wingman.

 

On this occasion, I had gone for a local flight and shortly after giving my inbound call, heard my CFI taking off toward the south. After departing the circuit, he called me and we changed to his company frequency to keep air-to-air communication off the CTAF (We both have dual com radios, so monitor the CTAF at the same time). A couple of other pilots were enjoying the evening flying in the local area as well.

 

I held position about seven miles south of the aerodrome over Dowdle Swamp, being a good visual reference, while my CFI flew to meet up with me. Once he arrived at the locale, I straightened out to the south to better scan for his aircraft. On acquiring a visual on him and vice versa, we turned towards one another and I headed north west, while he flew past to my west and turned behind me to come up on my left and take Wingman position. He indicated I was to Lead and after the first turn said I should do some 90 degree and 180 degree turns. We executed a number of these and then turned to specific landmarks. Finally we descended, joined crosswind, turned downwind and broke formation as I turned base.

 

We were flying loose formation. ie. about three to four wingspans apart.

 

During this time the CFI had to break formation and then re-join once due to turbulence which caused a potential issue with separation. We had minor turbulence during the exercise, which at times made a smooth bank a little less smooth. He later remarked that he could see every bump my aircraft experienced and of course expected it to hit him almost immediately.

 

After landing, I discovered that a bit of an audience had gathered at a couple of hangars, and they though it looked pretty good

 

The CFI was also happy with my execution, with only a few items of guidance, and has indicated that next time I will be "Number two". I expect that to be significantly more challenging.

 

As per another current thread and my own practice, I have, a few days later, checked the GPS track to look at how I tracked, so I've posted it just for interest sake.

 

 

 

[farri]

Thanks David,Great!

 

I couldn`t play the vidio,had to google YouTube and find it!

 

This is the address https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IENT5JVoBBI for anyone else who needs it.

 

Frank.

 

 

[Yenn]

That sounds like fun. I don't think it would be so easy as in a fixed wing plane, not that that is very easy.

 

 

[Guest davidh10]

Yes, both fun and increases flying skills significantly.

 

You cannot just do it with anyone though as you really need to trust the other pilot(s) to fly that close.

 

It will be an interesting journey. Eventually we hope to have a team of four or five, but that is down the track a bit.

 

**Note on Legal Requirements:

 

Formation flying is a potentially dangerous activity, requiring specific training.

 

In order to fly in formation, a pilot must hold a Formation Endorsement or be under instruction by an Instructor who holds an appropriate Formation Endorsement.

 

The reader is referred to the more detailed requirements:-

 

• VFRG Page 77 {this also defines what constitutes Formation Flying}
   
   
  
• CAR 163AA {the authoritative regulation to which the VFRG refers.}
   
   
  
• RAA Ops Manual Sect 2-01(5) {refers to and defines "Close Proximity Flying" for RAA aircraft and requires a Formation Endorsement. As the Ops Manual does not define "Formation Flying", CAR 163AA applies in addition to this section.}
   
   
  

 

 

 

 

[facthunter]

Rough air is a challenge. You will work your throttle a lot too. I'm not a great fan of doing this unless you really know what you are doing, because there is a significant risk , which I think is more for the types of planes we fly. I have not done any serious formating in U/L's but have been told that you have to get close to share the same bumps. That makes sense, but requires quick responses. Nev

 

 

[Guest davidh10]

Rough air is a challenge. You will work your throttle a lot too. I'm not a great fan of doing this unless you really know what you are doing, because there is a significant risk , which I think is more for the types of planes we fly. I have not done any serious formating in U/L's but have been told that you have to get close to share the same bumps. That makes sense, but requires quick responses. Nev

Thanks for the input Nev. At this stage, there's more that I don't know that I don't know than that which I know I don't know

 

I will think about Blogging the journey if there's interest.