RV formation (record attempt) over Chiefs-Raiders Football game 2013

[highflight42x]

This was indeed a grand fund raiser and for a most important cause.
My only concern was the fact that the formation occurred over tens of thousands of people, making me wonder what thought was given to minimizing the chance of mid-air collision over the stadium?

bravo,

- Steven
800 RV3 hours
100+ hrs in formations
(but not that big!)

[Stu McCurdy]

Originally Posted by highflight42x

This was indeed a grand fund raiser and for a most important cause.
My only concern was the fact that the formation occurred over tens of thousands of people, making me wonder what thought was given to minimizing the chance of mid-air collision over the stadium?

bravo,

- Steven
800 RV3 hours
100+ hrs in formations
(but not that big!)

We minimize the chances by studying, briefing, training to, practicing by, evaluating to the same FFI Formation Guidelines nationwide. Since we do that we can come together anywhere from far and wide and fly together in an orderly and disciplined manner. Plus, we briefed and practiced the 49-ship twice on Saturday before flying over the game day crowd on Sunday. We take formation safety very seriously.

[Bob Axsom]

Originally Posted by Stu McCurdy

We minimize the chances by studying, briefing, training to, practicing by, evaluating to the same FFI Formation Guidelines nationwide. Since we do that we can come together anywhere from far and wide and fly together in an orderly and disciplined manner. Plus, we briefed and practiced the 49-ship twice on Saturday before flying over the game day crowd on Sunday. We take formation safety very seriously.

I have been flying for over 30 years, I'm instrument rated, I race, I fly a lot of cross country, I was in the Air Force in my youth etc. but to got to the Pylon Racing Seminar (PRS) at Reno I had to go through Formation Training. I did and I found that the superior subservient hard over militaristic discipline, intense focus and striving for perfection was not for me. It brought back memories of doing about face for hours to make my heels come together with a click in perfect alignment. I admire them when I see them perform, I know some of the actual performers now and they are dedicated to this thing they do with a kind of seriousness rarely seen outside of prison.

Bob Axsom

[rocketbob]

Well Bob if formation flying is not for you that's fine, like I always say you're entitled to your own opinion even if its wrong.

For me and my 15-year-old son who rode with me in the two practice flights and the flyover, not only would I do it again in a nanosecond I asked him on the way home and he agreed he would definitely ride along again.

The FFI group as a whole is a fun bunch of folks who take on this activity with the seriousness it deserves, and I enjoy being a part of it. Its even more rewarding when we can collectively put our flying talents together to raise money for a worthy cause.