Formation flying is fun, exciting, challenging and inherently dangerous when you are flying with another aircraft only a few feet apart. For those with the proper training and discipline, flying formation is a great way to hone
your flying skills, build trust and comradely with other pilots.
Formation Flying is Not for Everybody ! Some perceive the risk to great. Some have not maintained there basic flying skills to the level required by Formation Flying. It is critical that you are very comfortable with
your pilot skills and aircraft before attempting formation flying. You need to know where your controls and switches are by touch; you need to know the feel and sound of your aircraft; you need to fly it with out having to
think about your actions. Your mind will be very busy focusing on your formation lead and your duties as a wingman. However, with the proper training and practice, practice, practice - your will find formation flying a
rewarding experience.
The purpose of this website content is to introduce you to Formation Flying, provide manuals, forms and materials and other content. In addition, provide access to other pilots interested in formation Flying, with scheduled
events and formation clinics. We will introduce you to FFI and the T-34 formation flying
techniques and ready you to enter the wonderful word of being a formation pilot.
There are as many ways to fly formation as there are to fly an aircraft. However,
Formation discipline is essential for the safety and control of all formation flights. The integrity of a formation can only be maintained when the leader has complete knowledge and control of the actions of each flight member. The flight leader must brief the formations to be flown and formation responsibilities. The wingman will maintain assigned formation position until a change is approved by the flight lead.
Just like IFR flying, you loose your skills very quickly in formation flying if you do not Practice. Pilots who sign up via this website and select to be a member of the Formation Chapter will be sent invitations to attend formation
clinics. Some clinics will be Intro or beginner clinics that are used to introduce new pilots to formation flying. They are also used to prepare pilots for loose formations such as the B2OSH formation into Oshkosh. Some
clinics will be training clinics to assist pilots in achieving the FFI Wingman card. Some clinics will be Advanced clinics for existing FFI Leads and Wingman to refine there skills, meet the 4x formations / year to maintain there
FFI card and to practice for air shows.
Pilots who are interested in formation flying can:
Attend a formation briefing;
Sit right seat with a qualified pilot for a practice ride;
Fly your plane with a qualified Safety Pilot site right seat in there aircraft in a 2-ship;
Graduate to independent 2-ship flight;
Hone formation station keeping thru a serious of exercises;
Graduate to a 4-ship formation and practice formation skills to earn your FFI Wingman Card.
The key is to progress slowly and only when you have mastered the skills at the earlier level.
As a valued member of our Formation Group we hope to see you at one of our upcoming Formation Clinics soon. The Menu Bar to the Left include some of the many features available to Members. If we can provide you additional services please send us an email
to spb@blytheco.com
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