Southwest Formation Clinic

December 14-16, 2007 - Chino, CA (KCNO)

Home | Location | Schedule | Preparation | Hotel | Participants | Contact

Preparing for the Clinic

Formation flying is a demanding, disciplined, and rewarding activity. It demands both knowledge of procedures and skill in piloting the aircraft. Formation flying should not be attempted without proper training. This clinic will teach you all the basics you need in order to be safe and continue the learning process.

In order to be prepared for this clinic, you will need to comply with the clinic requirements and review various written reference materials. Both are outlined below.

Requirements

• Current Medical Certificate and BFR
• Aircraft documents onboard (airworthiness, registration, operating limitations, weight & balance, etc.)
• Proof of liability insurance with $1M coverage
• Aircraft in perfect working order —
  • Current annual/condition inspection
  • Full dual controls, including stick, throttle & rudder (brakes not required, but rudder is!)
  • Working intercom
  • Ability to transmit on the radio from both seats
  • NOTE: Instructors reserve the right to refuse to fly in any airplane for any reason.
• No vernier throttles! Push-pull throttle controls are fine, but vernier throttles (button locking style) can be dangerous in formation.
• Kneeboard/pad & pens for taking notes, writing down frequencies, etc. during briefings
• Must have EXCELLENT stick & rudder skills and complete mastery of your airplane. We are teaching formation, not basic flying skills!
• Comfortable maneuvering your airplane throughout a range of 60 degrees of bank and 30 degrees of pitch
• Good attitude! Ability to accept criticism in a positive manner. Check your ego at the door...pick it back up on the way to the bar!

Reference Materials

You need to acquire and study the following reference materials BEFORE the clinic:

• T-34 Formation Flight Manual
  • NOTE: The T-34 Formation Flight Manual is required for participation in this clinic. This manual provides basic information about formation flying as well as standardized hand signals. It is available for sale from:
    • T-34 Assocation (PDF version) for $9.95
    • EAA Gift Shop for $14.95 (may no longer be available in print)
• RV Supplement to the T-34 Manual (click that link to download)
• FFI Program Manual (click that link to download)
  • All participants interested in pursuing FFI qualification must read the FFI Program Manual thoroughly. Even if not seeking the FFI card, the manual is a good source of information on formation procedures.
• Darton International's Video: "Formation Flying - The Art"
  • This is OPTIONAL. It's not technically required for the clinic, but you will be ahead of the game having seen it. This video is available from the same sources listed for the T-34 manual above. It's not cheap, but it often comes with the T-34 manual.

Flying Skills

Although there will be a variety of formation expertise in attendance, all participants should have EXCELLENT stick and rudder skills. We are teaching formation, not basic flying skills. We accept new formation pilots, but for safety reasons we cannot accept new pilots with limited flying skills or limited familiarity with their airplane.