Introduction to Formation Flying Overview, Safety, Operations

Introduction to Formation FlyingIntroduction to Formation FlyingOverview, Safety, OperationsOverview, Safety, Operations

Bonanzas to OshkoshBonanzas to Oshkosh

Formation FlyingFormation Flying

The FAA defines FORMATION The FAA defines FORMATION FLIGHT .. more than one aircraft FLIGHT .. more than one aircraft

which, by prior arrangement which, by prior arrangement between pilots, operate as a single between pilots, operate as a single aircraft with regard to navigation aircraft with regard to navigation

and position reporting. A standard and position reporting. A standard formation is one in which a formation is one in which a

proximity of no more than 1 mile proximity of no more than 1 mile laterally or longitudinally and laterally or longitudinally and

within 100 ft vertically from the within 100 ft vertically from the flight leader is maintained by each flight leader is maintained by each

wingmanwingman

Formation Flying ProficiencyFormation Flying Proficiency

• 1. Fly B2Osh Flight Safely & Professionally1. Fly B2Osh Flight Safely & Professionally

• 2. Fly Basic 2-Ship Formation Safely2. Fly Basic 2-Ship Formation Safely

• 3. Fly Four Ship Formations Safely3. Fly Four Ship Formations Safely

• 4. Qualify for a FFI Card4. Qualify for a FFI Card

Safety & Safety & FundamentalsFundamentals

BriefingBriefing

Ground OpsGround Ops

Take-offTake-off

Station KeepingStation Keeping

ManeuversManeuvers

LandingLanding

De-BriefDe-Brief

Formation Study MaterialsFormation Study Materials

• Proposed National Formation ManualProposed National Formation Manual

• T-34 Formation Flight Manual.T-34 Formation Flight Manual.

• Bonanza Type Specific Addendum.Bonanza Type Specific Addendum.

• Darton Formation ‘The Art’ VideoDarton Formation ‘The Art’ Video

• www.b2osh.org training pages training pages

• FFI Program ManualFFI Program Manual

• No formal instruction available in GANo formal instruction available in GA

http://www.b2osh.org/

Caution:Caution:

• Formation flight is risky – people can get Formation flight is risky – people can get killedkilled

• Be responsible, be safeBe responsible, be safe

• Study and know the material firstStudy and know the material first

• First flights with experienced formation First flights with experienced formation safety pilotssafety pilots

Start simple… the pro’s get Start simple… the pro’s get fancyfancy

Emergency EscapesEmergency Escapes• MilitaryMilitary

– Ejection seatEjection seat– ParachuteParachute

• War birdWar bird– ParachuteParachute

• Most GAMost GA– No escapeNo escape– No parachuteNo parachute– NonprofessionNonprofession

al pilots al pilots – Requires extra Requires extra

safety marginssafety margins

Safety Starts with YouSafety Starts with You

• You are the PIC, be safeYou are the PIC, be safe

• Fully understand before flyingFully understand before flying

• Poor execution, spontaneity cause Poor execution, spontaneity cause accidentsaccidents

• Know your vision, skill, and experience Know your vision, skill, and experience limitslimits

• Maintain a sterile cockpitMaintain a sterile cockpit• NEVER take eyes off of lead in close NEVER take eyes off of lead in close

formationformation

Keeping the Group Safe (1)Keeping the Group Safe (1)

• Keep everyone comfortable – no pressureKeep everyone comfortable – no pressure

• Make a big change in one small step per Make a big change in one small step per flightflight

• Avoid macho unsafe attitudesAvoid macho unsafe attitudes

• Don’t fly too closeDon’t fly too close

• Avoid idle chatter Avoid idle chatter

• Use an experienced formation safety pilot Use an experienced formation safety pilot with a new formation pilotwith a new formation pilot

Keeping the Group Safe (2)Keeping the Group Safe (2)

• Master 2-ship skills before attempting 4-shipMaster 2-ship skills before attempting 4-ship• Do not fly larger than 4-ship unless Do not fly larger than 4-ship unless

experienced and with expertsexperienced and with experts• Do something new with an experienced leadDo something new with an experienced lead

• Know and avoid your collision threats Know and avoid your collision threats

• Make moves slowlyMake moves slowly

• Be considerate of your blind sideBe considerate of your blind side

Safe TechniqueSafe Technique

• Always have multiple degrees of safety Always have multiple degrees of safety

• Don’t rush.Don’t rush.

• Be calm and coolBe calm and cool

• Maintain checklist disciplineMaintain checklist discipline

• Keep adequate spacing in the traffic Keep adequate spacing in the traffic pattern, especially on finalpattern, especially on final

Weather SafetyWeather Safety

• In bumpy air, accept unstable step down In bumpy air, accept unstable step down and leave extra step out and step backand leave extra step out and step back

• Don’t fly formation if there are restrictions Don’t fly formation if there are restrictions to visibilityto visibility

• Keep WAY clear of cloudsKeep WAY clear of clouds

GA Formation Pilots Died from:GA Formation Pilots Died from:

• IMCIMC• Flying towards someone you just lost sight ofFlying towards someone you just lost sight of

• Wingman looking down in the cockpit Wingman looking down in the cockpit

• Doing maneuvers with fewer degrees of safetyDoing maneuvers with fewer degrees of safety

• Flying up a box canyonFlying up a box canyon

• Undisciplined and/or confused landing/takeoffUndisciplined and/or confused landing/takeoff

• Wake vortex encounter close to groundWake vortex encounter close to ground

• Others are possible and likelyOthers are possible and likely

Duties of LeadDuties of Lead

• Invites each pilot to flyInvites each pilot to fly• Plans and conducts a safe flightPlans and conducts a safe flight• Knows capabilities of each pilotKnows capabilities of each pilot• Maintains control from brief to debriefMaintains control from brief to debrief• Maintains communications with ATC and Maintains communications with ATC and

flightflight• Navigates and clears trafficNavigates and clears traffic• Coaches as neededCoaches as needed

How to Fly LeadHow to Fly Lead

• Fly smoothlyFly smoothly• Slow changes in parade formation (roll, Slow changes in parade formation (roll,

pitch)pitch)• Think 18-wheeler, not ferrariThink 18-wheeler, not ferrari

Duties of WingmanDuties of Wingman

• MAINTAIN SEPARATION FROM MAINTAIN SEPARATION FROM LEAD/OTHERS 100% OF TIMELEAD/OTHERS 100% OF TIME

• LOOK AT YOUR REFERENCE PLANE(s) LOOK AT YOUR REFERENCE PLANE(s) 100% OF TIME WHEN CLOSE100% OF TIME WHEN CLOSE

• Be safeBe safe• Follow lead’s commandsFollow lead’s commands• Maintain flight and radio disciplineMaintain flight and radio discipline• Request a kickout if you need to look awayRequest a kickout if you need to look away

How to Fly WingHow to Fly Wing

• Match lead’s attitude and velocity at all Match lead’s attitude and velocity at all timestimes

• Be slow/smooth if someone on your wingBe slow/smooth if someone on your wing• Maintain station by reference point Maintain station by reference point

alignment alignment • Start correcting the moment you divergeStart correcting the moment you diverge• Come back TO (not through) reference Come back TO (not through) reference

pointpoint• Recognize and eliminate PIORecognize and eliminate PIO


BriefingBriefing


Take-offTake-off


ManeuversManeuvers

LandingLanding

De-BriefDe-Brief

BriefingBriefing

• Lead runs the briefingLead runs the briefing

• Lead covers planned Lead covers planned operations, nonstandard operations, nonstandard procedures, safety issues, procedures, safety issues, emergency proceduresemergency procedures

• Wingmen take notes, PAY Wingmen take notes, PAY ATTENTIONATTENTION

• #2 talks next, then #3, #2 talks next, then #3, then #4then #4

• Hold questions, comments, Hold questions, comments, and requests until your and requests until your turn turn

• Discipline = quality and Discipline = quality and safetysafety


BriefingBriefing


Take-offTake-off


ManeuversManeuvers

LandingLanding

De-BriefDe-Brief

Start UpStart Up

• Start time set at end of briefing Start time set at end of briefing

• Perform check lists: preflight, prestart, Perform check lists: preflight, prestart, post-start post-start

• Lead checks in flight on radioLead checks in flight on radio

Taxi OutTaxi Out


BriefingBriefing


Take-offTake-off


ManeuversManeuvers

LandingLanding

De-BriefDe-Brief

Take Off Take Off (Tricycle Gear Only)(Tricycle Gear Only)

• Taxi on to runway with lead down windTaxi on to runway with lead down wind• Wingman (if element TO) pulls up wing Wingman (if element TO) pulls up wing

abreast to wing aligned w/ empennageabreast to wing aligned w/ empennage• Lead gives run up signal (2000 rpm) Lead gives run up signal (2000 rpm) • Then head nod release brakesThen head nod release brakes• Gradually push in 75% power for take offGradually push in 75% power for take off


BriefingBriefing


Take-offTake-off


ManeuversManeuvers

LandingLanding

De-BriefDe-Brief

Station keepingStation keeping

• Match lead’s attitude and velocity at all Match lead’s attitude and velocity at all timestimes

• Maintain station by reference point Maintain station by reference point alignment alignment

• Start correcting the moment you divergeStart correcting the moment you diverge• Come back TO (not through) reference Come back TO (not through) reference

pointpoint• Recognize and eliminate PIORecognize and eliminate PIO• Be slow/smooth if someone on your wingBe slow/smooth if someone on your wing


• Farther out -- Line up the door postsFarther out -- Line up the door posts

• In close – line up the back cowling to In close – line up the back cowling to the aileron/flap gap junctionthe aileron/flap gap junction

Wingman Position - Top Wingman Position - Top ViewView• 3’ step out, 3’ step back happens when reference points are 3’ step out, 3’ step back happens when reference points are

simultaneously aligned at cowl and empennagesimultaneously aligned at cowl and empennage

2) Move your plane in or out on the 45° line until you align tail cone tip with far ruddervator junction

1) Align aileron-flap junction with rear edge of cowl. This is the 45° line.

Wingman Position – Step Wingman Position – Step DownDown• In parade formation, top edge of near wing In parade formation, top edge of near wing

should be barely visible or barely not visibleshould be barely visible or barely not visible


BriefingBriefing


Take-offTake-off


ManeuversManeuvers

LandingLanding

De-BriefDe-Brief

Standard Formation TurnStandard Formation Turn

• Maintain sight pictureMaintain sight picture

• Add power and go up for outside Add power and go up for outside

• Reduce power and go down for insideReduce power and go down for inside

• 1 to 3 kts speed difference in close 1 to 3 kts speed difference in close formationformation

• 54’ vertical spread at 30° bank in fingertip54’ vertical spread at 30° bank in fingertip

• Lead’s slow roll rate allows wingmen to Lead’s slow roll rate allows wingmen to maintain welded wingmaintain welded wing

Echelon TurnsEchelon Turns• Maintain same altitude (not welded wing)Maintain same altitude (not welded wing)

• Keep adjacent plane’s lower wingtip on Keep adjacent plane’s lower wingtip on horizonhorizon

• Roll out should be in positionRoll out should be in position

• Plane #2 shown is highPlane #2 shown is high

• Lead rolls out slowly to avoid collision Lead rolls out slowly to avoid collision hazardhazard

Cross UnderCross Under

• Beginning Beginning formation moveformation move

• Reduce powerReduce power

• Move downMove down

• Move backMove back

• Slide under Slide under walking speedwalking speed

• Power upPower up

• Move up into Move up into positionposition

Fingertip 4 Ship PositionFingertip 4 Ship Position• Can be strong right or leftCan be strong right or left

• Turns welded wingTurns welded wing

• All maneuvers start andAll maneuvers start andend with fingertipend with fingertip

• Lead rolls slowly in and outLead rolls slowly in and out

Close TrailClose Trail

DANGER - #4 TOO HIGH!!!

Good step down and

nice symmetry at Oshkosh

• Extra step down and step back (no step out)Extra step down and step back (no step out)

• See little or no wing walkSee little or no wing walk

• Extra step down – engine out safetyExtra step down – engine out safety

• Turn as lead turnsTurn as lead turns

• Lock on lead, avoid plane aheadLock on lead, avoid plane ahead

Diamond PositionDiamond Position

• #4 is in trail & step #4 is in trail & step down with #2 and #3down with #2 and #3

• All turns standardAll turns standard

• 4 calls in 4 calls in

Flying the Slot in DiamondFlying the Slot in Diamond• #4 has a collision hazard on three planes#4 has a collision hazard on three planes

– Keep them all in sightKeep them all in sight– Maintain step down and step back on 2 Maintain step down and step back on 2 andand 3 3 – Maintain step down for lead’s engine-outMaintain step down for lead’s engine-out

EchelonEchelon

• Least maneuverableLeast maneuverable

• Used for overhead breakUsed for overhead break

• Never turn into an echelon. Only turn awayNever turn into an echelon. Only turn away

Pitchout ProcedurePitchout Procedure

Break from echelon with 180° turnBreak from echelon with 180° turn• Lead’s signal: circling finger, then # of secondsLead’s signal: circling finger, then # of seconds• Snappy 45° degree bank Snappy 45° degree bank • #2 sets the break interval#2 sets the break interval• Planes end up in a line 1 mile longPlanes end up in a line 1 mile long

RejoinRejoin• Join up safely on lead Join up safely on lead

• Same speed as leadSame speed as lead

• Stepped down 10’ to 20’ from plane in frontStepped down 10’ to 20’ from plane in front

• Find the 45° join line and stay on itFind the 45° join line and stay on it

• Your “Out” is down, behind, and outside the plane in frontYour “Out” is down, behind, and outside the plane in front

• NEVER go belly up to plane in frontNEVER go belly up to plane in front

• Always see and avoid all planes in frontAlways see and avoid all planes in front

• Lead rocks wings l/r/l (or r/l/r) then banks 17 degrees to l (r)Lead rocks wings l/r/l (or r/l/r) then banks 17 degrees to l (r)

• 2 joins to inside, 3 and 4 to outside in fingertip2 joins to inside, 3 and 4 to outside in fingertip

Flying the 45° Join LineFlying the 45° Join Line•Your CDI - lead’s tail cone alignment with far wing tip

•Turn your plane as needed to hold join line

•Drop as necessary to keep planes ahead in sight over glare screen

Acute, turn left

Sucked, turn right

Just right. Hold it here

Or, line up #2 on lead

Rejoins are difficultRejoins are difficult

• #2 is low and acute#2 is low and acute

• #3 is on the 45 but a little above #3 is on the 45 but a little above #2#2

• #4 has lead on horizon but risks a #4 has lead on horizon but risks a safety hazard being above #3 and safety hazard being above #3 and #2. He must not lose them under #2. He must not lose them under glare screen or be unable to fly glare screen or be unable to fly under and behind themunder and behind them


BriefingBriefing


Take-offTake-off


ManeuversManeuvers

LandingLanding

De-BriefDe-Brief

Overhead Break to LandingOverhead Break to Landing

• Formation arrives in echelonFormation arrives in echelon• Overhead numbers, lead sharply Overhead numbers, lead sharply

breaks 45 degrees of bank at pattern breaks 45 degrees of bank at pattern altitudealtitude

• Each wing breaks at countEach wing breaks at count

Element LandingElement Landing

• Break in pairsBreak in pairs

• More difficult, less safeMore difficult, less safe

• Extra in-trail spacingExtra in-trail spacing

• Lead signals gear, Lead signals gear, flapsflaps

• Lead lands with powerLead lands with power

• Wingman is slightly Wingman is slightly acuteacute

• Tricycle gear onlyTricycle gear only

Sturdy LandingSturdy Landing

• 5 second break, single 5 second break, single shipsships

• Land centerLand center

• Move to cold side (exit Move to cold side (exit side) as soon as stableside) as soon as stable

• Plane with overrun Plane with overrun problem has other side problem has other side (hot side) clear(hot side) clear

WARNING – All landing/takeoff info applies to Tricycle WARNING – All landing/takeoff info applies to Tricycle Gear onlyGear only

Taxi BackTaxi Back• Lead taxi to end of runway, regroup at taxi Lead taxi to end of runway, regroup at taxi

way just like run-upway just like run-up• Lead signals for clean up, #4 passes back Lead signals for clean up, #4 passes back

thumbs upthumbs up• Shutdown on lead’s briefed signalShutdown on lead’s briefed signal• Write debriefing notes before exiting cockpitWrite debriefing notes before exiting cockpit


BriefingBriefing


Take-offTake-off


ManeuversManeuvers

LandingLanding

De-BriefDe-Brief

De-BriefingDe-Briefing

• Lead goes first and then in orderLead goes first and then in order

• Lead goes through each Lead goes through each segment of flightsegment of flight

• #2, #3, #4 cover things left out#2, #3, #4 cover things left out

• First call “safety’s” on yourselfFirst call “safety’s” on yourself

• Then critique the rest of the flightThen critique the rest of the flight

• Don’t leave any significant thing unsaidDon’t leave any significant thing unsaid

diamond lazy-8; finger-tipechelon; break & rejoin; opposite echelon; break & rejoin; echelon; echelon turn;finger-tip; kick-out; rejoin; echelon for initial;overhead break

Single ship emergency - pull up

finger; diamond with #5 trail; diamond lazy-8; finger

NOTES: Standard T-34/Bonanza specific unless otherwise briefed.

In flight 1 up, 2 away and up, 3 down, 4 up, 5 away (Break, Break, Break!)

Landing lights on when "initial" called;Lights off & flaps up on signal when clear of runway;Shut-down at 30" or 60" hack, lead calls, turbo respond if not ableManeuvers at 130 kts;

Emergency Procs: On take off abort, call "# aborting" others fly normal;

Fly to enroute position, when called join in position

Maneuvers: Est. flt time: Est. fuel usage: ____gal

close trail; close trail lazy-8; finger; diamond w#5 trail;

SAR: el wing/lead goes with ship 1000 ft above all times com 121.5

Final RemarksFinal Remarks

• Be safeBe safe

• First flights with experienced formation First flights with experienced formation safety pilotsafety pilot

• If you don’t understand, ask!If you don’t understand, ask!

• Have fun!Have fun!

Documents

Introduction to Formation Flying Overview, Safety, Operations