Good news. The airport board approved a fuel discount for our clinic last night. We don't know exactly how much yet, but the best part is this airport is almost always the cheapest in the area anyways. For reference last weekend was $5.89.
With some help from great guys, I have been working on a guide on how to get started in formation flying. Below is the latest version. I know 3 years ago I knew nothing and a lot of misconceptions.
I think one thing that has been recently apparent, is getting a formation card may not be the end goal for many. The only reason you need a card is to fly in an airshow box.
I myself am 3 years into this, probably 50 hours of formation time, no card but have done many cool events, from private, missing man, national anthems, etc. My point is don't focus on the card.
“How to get into Formation" guide
The Smoke On Aviation Method
Step 1: Confirm you want to learn. This isn't something we try to push on people to do, as it takes dedication and the right mindset. Remember that you’ve spent most of your time as a pilot trying NOT to get anywhere close to other aircraft. Are you ready to fly within 10 feet of another RV? If you’re answer is “no,” then you should proceed no further.
Step 2: You have homework…carefully read the FFI Formation Guide at
www.ffiaero.com. At this step I would also tell anybody to "BE VERY COMFORTABLE IN YOUR AIRPLANE". If you just bought it last week, or just got the airworthiness inspection done, etc. you need more airplane time. Landing and flying need to be 2nd nature. You need to know how to access your entire panel or any switch without looking. Old pair of shoes feel.
Step 3 or 4: Ground School. The ground school is very important to learn the basics of what flight positions are safe, what positions are not safe, what to do if things don't go as planned, how we communicate in the air (it’s almost never a radio), what those signals mean, the list goes on. Our ground school is 3 to 4 hours of information.
Step 4 or 3: Orientation Ride (sometimes we do this before 3). This is where you fly as a passenger with an experienced formation pilot to observe wingman operations. A lot of time you will land and can't wait to get started flying formation. Also, we have had others land and decide it was not what they expected, and not something they want to pursue. In fact, after my 1st ride-along, I landed and thought "this is crazy, who would ever want to do that?" Past Military experience can be good, and can be bad. We are flying RV’s, not F15’s, so some things are different.
Step 5: Safety Pilot time. You will now fly your airplane as #2 in a 2-ship formation led by an experienced flight. An experienced safety pilot rides with you in your airplane. The safety pilot and lead will coach you on what to do. It will take more than one flight with a safety pilot before you’re ready to fly solo. Typically, I have seen pilots require 3 to 10 safety pilot flights before they are ready to go solo 2 ship.
Step 6: Solo, you’re now mostly safe to fly formation behind a lead without a safety pilot in your plane. Expect 5+ flights like this before a 3rd or 4th airplane is added to the flight.
Step 7: 4 ship time. You’ve demonstrated enough 2-ship skill now, and 3 other pilots have enough comfort level to fly with you. Now the fun begins, and advanced learning can happen. I would say a typical pilot will need 20+ hours of time here.
Step 8: Prepare for FFI card (optional). This requires a recommendation from an FFI flight lead, and schedule a check ride. Expect this to typically take 1-2 years after you start flying formation if you are able to practice formation flight on a regular basis.
Formation flying is a skill that requires constant practice. The Smoke On Group is very fortunate as we have 10+ 4 ship qualified guys, several cards, and almost every weekend if the weather is good someone is around and a formation flight is done. We realize others may not have that available.
How does this relate to clinics?
Looking at the steps above and estimated timeline, this is a 2 year process. To come to a clinic without any experience and leave with an FFI card with just 2 days of flying would probably set a record: It’s an unrealistic expectation. We are suggesting for those attending their first clinic that we can accomplish steps 1, 2, 3 and 4. Also helping you network with others to get step 5 and beyond done outside a clinic.
Regarding Step 8: Ultimately, no pilot needs an FFI card to go fly formation. So why have a card? An FFI (or FAST) card is required to fly formation in aerial events in FAA waivered airspace (example: An airshow box). If that’s not your goal, then you don’t need a card (and FFI doesn’t award Wingman cards as mere merit badges). Still, tackling steps 1 through 8 make for a wonderful and rewarding piloting experience as a formation pilot. Want to fly formation in airshows with a team like Smoke On? Go for the card!
Smoke On wants to encourage everyone that wants to learn to pursue it. Formation flight is the single most fundamentally social pilot activity because it’s impossible to do it alone: It requires at least 2 pilots. But remember we are flying airplanes in ways that the risk level is higher than normal, and a mistake on 1 person's part can quickly affect others. The trust factor is very high, and that takes time to build. The skill required is high and very perishable, and that takes time and consistency to develop and sustain.
