|
|
| Mike Sabourin and Tom Staggs with the Rockies in the background |
Formation is one of the most enjoyable, rewarding types of flying
I know of, for it requires not just your own expertise, but that of others, as well as the ability to understand and anticipate
the actions of others. For the same reason that an entire orchestra works together to create a work of beauty, so too does
a formation of planes.
|
| Eric Westland in his Cozy IV and Mike Sabourin in his Long-EZ fly formation over Mount St. Helens |
Flying formation can be fun, but it is challenging, dangerous, and
complicated and should never be attempted without adequate training and practice. Although I have been able to find some canard
pilots willing to undertake the classroom preparation and in-flight instruction necessary to safely fly formation, most have
been unwilling to dedicate the amount of time necesary to do it correctly and safely
|
| Sabourin and Westland fly proper parade position |
Once you the participants have undergone detailed classroom discussions
about formation flying, it is time to go out and practice. Although I have tried to teach people to fly formation with me
in one plane and the student in the other, it didn't work. I now believe that the only way to safely learn formation is with
an experienced formation pilot in the lead, and the student flying on their wing with an instructor in the back seat.
|
| Mike Sabourin with a formation instructor in his back seat flies parade position |
If you are contemplating flying formation, please get with experienced
pilots, preferably those with a military background, to learn how to do it right. Failure to do so could kill not only you,
but others as well.
Additionally, joining up on other pilots in flight without specifically
asking their permission to do so is not only unsafe, but rude.
Something else to keep in mind is that the more dissimilar the planes in terms of their
performance, the more difficult it is to safely fly formation.
|
| Flying the slot under a 1929 Travelair Biplane Šjohn altberg |
Done correctly, formation flying is a fantastic experience. If anyone
has the time and inclination to go about learning it correctly, I would be glad to participate and teach.
|
