After many years of formation flying in Pitts St biplanes including formation t &g  in pattern. Usually 2 but occasionally 3 or 4 ship formations, I have to say I felt we had mastered the art. Trying tranfer the knowledge to the legacys has been uncomfortable and less predictable. Maybe it's practice lacking or speed differences. _We have different props and I feel that's a big factor.
On Mar 24, 2014 7:06 PM, "Dennis Johnson" <pinetownd@volcano.net> wrote:
>
> I fly formation in my IO-550 every week or two wit an airplane with an
> IO-360.  It took a few flights to develop standard procedures and
> airspeeds and now it works great.
>
> However, formation flying is not something we should teach ourselves.  I
> learned formation flying in the Air Force and my personal rule is that I
> don't fly formation with pilots who haven't received proper.  This was
> after I talked with a pilot who was flying number three in a three ship
> and collided with number two.  They both survived, with one airplane
> landing in a farmer's pasture.  The thing that scared me was that he
> blamed number two for turning too tight in a pitchout.  Anyone who has
> been properly trained knows that one of a wingman's basic
> responsibilities is to avoid hitting the airplane in front of him.
>
> There are ways to get good formation training and I suggest you start
> there.  There is a lot more to it than just stick and rudder skills.
>
> Regarding flying final at less than 100 knots, 90 knots should work if
> you are comfortable with it and can control you airspeed reasonably
> precisely.
>
> For flying behind another airplane, I assume you mean on final approach
> after a pitchout.  Part of developing procedures for flying formation
> with dissimilar airplanes is figuring out the proper spacing between
> airplanes for landing.  Figure that stuff out at altitude.  Don't do it
> close to the ground for the first time.
>
> My advice is don't do it until you've been trained and then only fly
> formation with other pilots who have also received adequate training.
>
> Just back from the Continental clinic, which was great!
>
> Dennis
> Legacy, 700 hours
> >
>
>
>
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