group flight

[Mi Vida Loca]

I received an interesting E-Mail over the weekend concerning "group
flight". The writer sited his near midair collision as proof the flying
formation is really dangerous. As many of you know I am addicted to
formation flight and am a major proponent of same, good thing it’s not
illegal, immoral or fattening. The situation was that this person took off
after his buddy, normal spacing, he began his takeoff roll as his buddy
broke ground. He lost visual contact on his takeoff roll. They both
departed the pattern intending to hookup en route. After becoming airborne
they communicated over the radio trying to hook up. Each called out ground
references and altitude and slowly closed in on each other but still no
visual contact. When what they estimated to be 1 mile separation the
writer then had his buddy go about 20 feet over the top of him.
Instinctively he dove and turned away. This was his proof to me that
formation is dangerous. I wrote back and explained that group flight such
as this is very dangerous and in no way should be confused with formation.
The basic tenant of formation is that each aircraft is in a known position
and in visual contact. There is a lead and all other AC fly off the lead,
not independently. His version of formation appears to be same day, same way.
Forming up in the air once away from the airport can be difficult at best
and at times impossible. Let me recommend that if you do attempt to join up
with another AC in the air start with at least 5 miles separation. Have one
plane find a good ground reference (something that can be identified on the sectional) and begin doing tight turns around the point. This puts his wing up, making him more visible, keeps him over the reference point and gives probably much needed practice. He should make the bank fairly steep to maximize the silhouette. It is also important that he hold his altitude. His responsibility is to maintain altitude and position over the reference point. The approaching AC should begin his approach to the reference point from below, at least 500 feet lower, 1000 feet is better. It is much easier to see another plane silhouetted against the sky than looking down and trying to find it against the ground clutter. It is the approaching AC’s responsibility to locate and maintain the proper separation. If you have not established visual contact when you are within 1 mile of the reference point go back out and try again. If you are unable
to do it within 3 attempts give up, you are tired and your anxiety level is
up, you are likely to make a mistake at this point. Who ever is nearest to
the destination should proceed with the other giving chase with no less
than a 3 min separation between them. I am very comfortable flying with a
50 foot separation or less, but being within 5 miles of another AC and not
having visual contact makes me nervous as hell.
When approaching an uncontrolled field especially if it is hazy I usually come in low and pop up to pattern altitude. Again I do this because I can see the other traffic much better. I have more faith in my ability to spot them, than for them to spot me. When landing in formation Bill and I have found that our being in
formation makes us more visible to other traffic, of course we occasionally
hear a radio call that there are 2 AC on final about to have a midair. At
least they have us spotted. Last let me point out one danger in a
separation of more than 100-200 feet when flying together. Any plane on a
potential collision course may become fixated on one of the AC and not see
the other. In his attempt to avoid a conflict he could turn into the other
AC. For this reason either keep the separation to inside 100 feet or 1 mile
separation if still in visual contact. If visual contact is not maintained
then measure your separation in minutes, 3 is a nice round number.




Dave
41 Charlie
Dave's Ercoupe Page
http://www.flash.net/~dmprosvc/dave
ICQ # 1388138
http://wwp.mirabilis.com/1388138#contactingme