Varying separation while in trail
Pretty high closure rate a couple of times.
ps. if you fly formation in public you better be ready for the critics!
I better be ready for the guys back at the debrief after the flight! They are my best critics!
"In trail" formations spread out and close up distances as the speed of the flight changes. For example, as Lead climbs into the initial entry of a loop, he's going uphill and obviously going to lose energy/speed in the climb - therefore the next guy will have some
closure rate on lead. As soon as Lead goes over the top of the loop, he's going downhill while the next guy will still be going uphill, and there will be a
separation rate.
This
closure/separation is adjusted by using angles only. We all enter the in-trail portion of the flight with our throttles set, and don't move the throttle for the entire series. So if Two is falling behind, he'll turn
inside the turn to make up the lost ground. If Two is getting too close, he'll move
outside the turn to back off. This happens whether the "turn" is horizontal ie a 180* turn, or vertical ie a loop or some combination.
So at 3:28, when you see Two closing on Lead, you'll also see that Two pulls to the outside of the roll to open up the separation. The results are visible just a few seconds later when Lead comes back into camera view with greater separation. (Two had Lead in sight at all times!)
When I began practicing In Trail a couple of months ago (with a safety pilot on board), it was difficult and scary. But as I began to understand the way the the planes all react, it became very enjoyable. I think In Trail is easier and safer than close formation, just because of the greater separation.
Fly safe! It's supposed to be fun!