Announcing the West Coast Formation Clinic 2025

[f117fte]

This year’s West Coast Formation Clinic 2025 will be on 24-27 April 2025 in Madera, CA KMAE. Applications will be closed by the end of the day on 15 March 2025. To apply and/or for additional details, visit the WCFC 2025 website link below. Open the page and clink on Application tab and submit your info.

https://rvformation.com/WCFC2025/index.html

Like every year we are expecting that we will receive more applicants than we can safely support. The management team will evaluate applications and contact participants as soon as possible after the application period closes.



Please remember that the management team does this for fun and to help the RV-community be safer when performing formation flying. This is NOT our job; please give us time to figure out this complex event. There is a lot that goes into making this a safe event.



Please call the Hampton Inn and reserve your room. Do not wait to the last minute.

Please review all info on the website, even if you have attended previously. Please use the contacts page for any questions.

Cougar and Batman
Mercedes Eulitt
Rv6mercedes@...
831-262-1189

 

[cdeggz]

-10 pilots: “Haters gonna hate”

 

[N269SD]

Signed up and looking forward to it.

 

[N8DAV8R]

-10 pilots: “Haters gonna hate”

Just know the -10 guys aren't alone in this.

 

[PhatRV]

I am asking these questions because I plan to fly in formation in the future, but I cannot attend this clinic.
How many hour does a pilot need to have flying the RV before he can be proficient to attend this clinic? I am a low timed pilot.
I have a fixed pitch propeller, is this okay for the clinic?

 

[Taltruda]

I am asking these questions because I plan to fly in formation in the future, but I cannot attend this clinic.
How many hour does a pilot need to have flying the RV before he can be proficient to attend this clinic? I am a low timed pilot.
I have a fixed pitch propeller, is this okay for the clinic?

Probably half the group (or close) have fixed pitch props.. that’s fine. I’ll let someone more experienced answer the other question

 

[joshbrewer]

My work schedule changes monthly and I won’t get Aprils schedule until about the 20th of March. I understand that I won’t be able to register… however, can I come hang out and get to know people and watch?

 

[ronrapp]

My work schedule changes monthly and I won’t get Aprils schedule until about the 20th of March. I understand that I won’t be able to register… however, can I come hang out and get to know people and watch?

I don't see why not. Aside from the ground school, pretty much everything happens at and around the small terminal building and transient parking area there at the airport. It's a public facility, so you can fly in and check out the happenings, say hello, and watch the various flights come and go. Just use caution as the area gets quite busy!

--Ron

 

[f117fte]

I am asking these questions because I plan to fly in formation in the future, but I cannot attend this clinic.
How many hour does a pilot need to have flying the RV before he can be proficient to attend this clinic? I am a low timed pilot.
I have a fixed pitch propeller, is this okay for the clinic?

If you follow the link above there are guidelines for pilot and aircraft requirements under the Preparation tab.

 

[nickw9815]

Are NAV/strobe lights required? Not listed under the "preparation" tab, but it is mentioned as something that should be on in the FFI Standards doc

 

[RV6_flyer]

Are NAV/strobe lights required? Not listed under the "preparation" tab, but it is mentioned as something that should be on in the FFI Standards doc

READ your aircraft "Operation Limitations" that ARE part of your "Airworthiness Certificate." There is verbage there that says something about being REQUIRED to meet 91.205 when operating Night and or IFR.

Typically only the last guy in the formation has strobes on depending on what "Flight Lead" briefs.

 

[flyride]

-10 pilots: “Haters gonna hate”

RV-10 pilots should seek to join a FFI Bonanza/Mooney clinic for the most compatible aircraft performance and visibility.

It's not that an RV-10 can't fly next to a RV-3/4/6/7/8/9/14, it's just that as the maneuvering gets ratcheted up, the aircraft are too dissimilar for safety. The larger airframe and wingspan also make it more difficult to train 4-ship ops.

RV-12's may be a little harder in that 2-4 airplanes are needed that can all comfortably maneuver at 100 kts. If you can find some like-minded RV-12 friends, this would be ideal and might result in some cardholder/Lead support. Can't hurt to ask anyway.

 

[N8DAV8R]

RV-10 pilots should seek to join a FFI Bonanza/Mooney clinic for the most compatible aircraft performance and visibility.

It's not that an RV-10 can't fly next to a RV-3/4/6/7/8/9/14, it's just that as the maneuvering gets ratcheted up, the aircraft are too dissimilar for safety. The larger airframe and wingspan also make it more difficult to train 4-ship ops.

RV-12's may be a little harder in that 2-4 airplanes are needed that can all comfortably maneuver at 100 kts. If you can find some like-minded RV-12 friends, this would be ideal and might result in some cardholder/Lead support. Can't hurt to ask anyway.

I don't think there is any problem getting 2-4 RV-12 guys in the California area now. Numbers are growing and I know of a few in the area that would participate.

The problem is that this seems to operate like a secret society and it's hard to tell where to even start with asking for help. Without any intention of being critical, the organizers here seem to have a pretty full plate as it is and no interest in whatever it would take to get a -12 program going.