AIP/formation flying

[Yenn]

Chird. Thanks for finding where I had seen it. It does seem rather close to me and makes me feel better. I havn't broken the law. As far as measuring it, I doubt that a photo would do much good as it would have to be calculated in relation to vertical distance as well as horizontal.

 

 

[poteroo]

There's a practical limit to how much step-down or step-up you could fly off another aircraft, and still make it 'look' to the ground observer that the aircraft are in close formation.

 

I agree with others re the CASA ruling - it's allowing for judgement, whereas RAA's 100ft isn't easy to judge. In fact, trying to fly 'off' another aircraft at 100-200ft is much more difficult to do than a wingspan - because the turn-in tendency is greater.

 

happy days,

 

 

[IanR]

In fact, trying to fly 'off' another aircraft at 100-200ft is much more difficult to do than a wingspan - because the turn-in tendency is greater.happy days,

I had been thinking the same thing - flying close formation is MUCH easier than spaced out - particularly if you are not just flying straight ahead. It is very difficult to judge distance and closure rates if you are further out. In formation training one of the basics they teach you is the method of joining formation - because of just those reasons.

 

My advice is that if you are going to fly close make sure you have some vertical separation so that if you misjudge things you don't come unstuck !

 

If you want to fly this close regularly then get a formation endorsement - its great fun.