Pine Bluff Formation Clinic Wrap
Falcon Flight made it home safe to Georgetown and Ft Worth despite the initial strong headwind and low ceiling, which cleared out and died down.
Thanks to the 28 who worked their way through the murk on Friday to make the briefing. Kudo to KC Flight for pressing on despite a BIG wall of storms and two unplanned stops. After the briefing Bulldog had a ribs and brisket BBQ and some good fluid refreshment.
Saturday started out with 1/4 mile viz and 100' ceiling, but we briefed anyway and the weather cleared in time to get round 1 up. Rest of the day went as planned. We got three RED SCARY guys soloed, three solos evaluated for FFI Wing, and Bulldog passed his FFI Lead check. Everyone else got some good practice in and my thanks to the Safety Pilots for sacrificing stick time to help te RED SCARY guys learn the great discipline of formation flight. Then Bulldog and the EAA Chapter put on a fried catfish dinner that was THE BEST catfish ever consumed by me along with some SUPER desserts. Thanks to our great hosts.
Sunday morning about 0330 the front came through with a BANG on the windows, heavy rain, and high winds. We delayed the van departure from the motel and the ALL UP briefing by an hour and left the planes in the hangar. We briefed the ALL UP thinking it would be just a practice brief for the education, but at the end of the brief the skies were looking better with the promise of strong crosswinds. We got the planes out and the winds looked okay, so we made the takeoff and conducted the ALL UP as planned in somewhat choppy conditions. About 6 pilots participated in their first Diamond of Diamonds in a 20-ship. Congrats to all for some challenging but good formation flying.
Then planes started departing for RTB with a couple staying over to wait better weather in their direction.
A succesful formation clinic with a whole lot of learning and training going on.
Thanks to all for your dediction and discipline. Thanks to Bulldog and the EAA
Chapter for a great and very friendly hosting and GREAT FOOD.
Falcon