Ron has provided an excellent start to the process however let me add that first have a briefing so everyone knows his position, and the intended route so when the lead calls out passing a check point everyone has a rough idea of their position in the event there is a need to break up the formation. It is far safer to fly what will at first seem close (75-100' separation) Further apart will eventually result in loosing visual contact and the potential for a midair. For anyone who thinks flying within 75-100' of another aircraft just remember you are able to land a plane without running off the runway which takes a higher degree of control. For a group of nuggets (newbies) a couple of practice flights will be necessary. It is absolutely essential that no one tries to navigate on their own, watch the lead at all times, he must trust that you are in your assigned position and you cannot maintain position if you have your head in your cockpit or are scanning for traffic, that is the leads job. The lead must therefor be the best navigator and best on the radio. If a 2 plane element then fly a simple echelon formation, 3 then a simple V. Nuggets should not attempt more than 3 aircraft in a formation. If you have more than that break up into elements and have the second or third elements fly off the lead element at about 300' separation in an echelon formation. The wing men should stack down 5-10' below the lead. This makes it easy for the lead to look back to see where you are. If you doubt this try to look back and up over your shoulder, then back and down to see which is easier. The wingmen should maintain a 45 degree aft line. It is easiest if you line up nosegear with the main. It is also inportant for the wingmen to understand they will frequently need to make changes in the power setting to hold position. If you need to leave the formation in a hurry drop down and turn out, if you climb you will loose sight of the AC below you, another potential for a midair. Formation is the safest way for groups to fly together but requires practice just as learning to takeoff and land did. There is a lot more but this a first step Dave
At 04:03 PM 4/21/00 -0700, you wrote: >Ron... > >Any tips for traveling together (very) loosely? It's starting to look like >we may have >several planes flying from my area down to College Park. No real interest in >getting close enough to even THINK of swapping paint. On the other hand, >we probably want to be in sight of one another. > >Greg > >At 11:13 AM 4/21/00 -0700, Ron Burke wrote: >>Well part right... >> >>If you have briefed before hand and have some training, formating can be >>fun, but it is dangerous to. Flying formation is different from normal >>flight. In formation everyone (but LEAD) looks at LEAD if lead runs all of >>you into something then you had a bad LEAD. I flew with someone last >>weekend that saw his buddy and tried to join up with out briefing first, he >>was looking everywhere but at LEAD and looked surprised when he looked over >>at his buddy. We could have exchanged paint had I not grabbed the controls >>at one point. >> >>Second is Lead makes all radio calls and all transponders (if installed) are >>NOT transmitting ALT. and IMPORTANT >>ALL others in the flight confirm the calls in order of number and respond >>with only there number if they understand the call or instruction. >> >>i.e. >>Call - Boeing Tower - N2273H flight of 3 Ercoupes lake young's with >>information Zulu. >>Response 2273H flight make straight in to 33L alt ......cleared to land >>Call 73H flight roger 33L cleared to land.... 2..3.. >> >>Do not land in formation unless you have trained to , but since this runway >>is WIDE land staggered >>make sure you have briefed the landing, if uncertain just slow in stager... >>i.e. 3 slows first than 2 than LEAD. >>and land. >> >>I hope this makes sense.... >> >>Ron, Air Forced Trained..... Burke __________________________________________________________________________ ______ To unsubscribe from this list please send mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ________________________________________________________________________ Start an Email List For Free at Topica. http://www.topica.com/register
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