Mooney Formation Video

[kmyfm20s]

For any of you thinking of doing one of the formation clinics I put together this video it has some great narrative in it. I was able to get out to the clinic a day early which I highly recommend and sit right seat of Larry "Joker" Brennan's plane. He did a great job of talking about the maneuvers as he was flying them. I didn't think much of it until I was in the left seat the next day, I was barley able to say a word I was concentrating so hard.

If you read this guide which I put the link below and watch the video you will have go idea of what goes on with the formation clinic. Newbies fly 2 ship formation and the advance do the 3 and 4.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxtb29uZXljYXJhdmFufGd4OjcwYzQwYWFkNTQ1OGUwOTA

http://youtu.be/BdAE-fvFKsA

[slowflyin]

Nice!

[CCowboy]

Excellent training video with Joker giving a super play-by-play.  We trained 5 newbie's for the Mooney Caravan to Oshkosh this clinic.  Be very aware of the "Mooney Gunfighters".  For those interested on learning formation flying, take the time to watch this 30 min. video.

[carusoam]

Only seems like 5 minutes!

When is the east coast training?

How do we get a head start? Is there a manual that you are using?

So many questions...

[kmyfm20s]

The attachment above the video is the formation guide. It is also on the Mooney Caravan web site www.mooneycaravan.com

Things that would make you more comfortable for when you show up would be. No flap takeoffs at lower power settings (need power reserve to stay in formation), doing maneuvers between 105-120 kts, no flap landings with a stabilized approach and landing at 90 kts with power to touchdown.

Also try to get a ride in the right seat with one of the advance guys. These are just my recommendation as a newbie. Cowboy might have some additional ideas.

[CCowboy]

 

Go to www.mooneycaravan.com  for details on this.  This is your Northeast training opportunity.  Get in contact with Sled and he will get you set up for this clinic.  

[carusoam]

Missed the link. Got it now!

WV's not that far away...

Best regards,

-a-

[Shadrach]

I might have to make the 10 minute flight for this!

[StinkBug]

I have a fair bit of video I need to sort through as well, both from the right seat of 9344V and from cameras mounted on my plane for the newbie training. 

 

Definitely recommend practicing takeoff and landing with no flaps if you normally use them, and if at all possible try to get some right seat time. I came a day early as well and being able to see everything in person was a huge benefit. You can talk about things on a forum and watch videos, and see pictures but until you experience it in person you dont really get the whole picture. Really looking forward to next time!

[Houman]

I'm very interested and the location is only about 2h away in the rocket, but to be completely honest, I'm a bit uneasy about it.

I have about 200h of flght time with 50 of those in my Mooney Rocket. I got my PPL and night rating an in the process of doing my IFR, but till now just working on the written exam, will start the IFR flight training in a month or 2.

So the question is, am I too green to do something like this even with an experienced formation training pilot with me, since there is no way I would do this alone.

Just wondering out-loud for my safety and those my future formation pilots friends.

[kmyfm20s]

I think you would be just fine. You won't be by yourself in your plane, you will have an experienced safety pilot with you.

[CCowboy]

Total time does not directly correlate with piloting skills, judgment, or ability to learn.  The last two Mooney Caravan clinics (El Paso and Yuma) we had newbies with just 200 hours and did just great.  Although they were new pilots, they were flying frequently and came with an open mind without any bad habits.  It sounds like you have the motivation, so just do it.  You will be a better pilot.

[Houman]

Thanks, defintly interested, but can't find on the site anything about cost of this training ?

I will email Adam and hopefully he can enlighten me on the subject.

[Dave Marten]

Thanks, defintly interested, but can't find on the site anything about cost of this training ?

I will email Adam and hopefully he can enlighten me on the subject.

FREE. OK, well usually nominal $25-50 dollar clinic fee to cover beer, food, transportation, etc.

[StinkBug]

Looking at my logbook I was at about 180 hours when I went to the Yuma Clinic, about 60 of that in my C. As of right now it's only been 11 months since my first flying lesson. I was a bit nervous about doing this as well, but after riding along for a day I was more excited than anything. It was a great experience. 

[Houman]

FREE. OK, well usually nominal $25-50 dollar clinic fee to cover beer, food, transportation, etc.

I'm good with that, is there a place attendes are all staying at, recommandations for the hotel.

I wiill call the FBO later today to set everything up, but unless something serious comes out, I''ll be there.

Thanks !

[StinkBug]

If you contact the organizer and sign up I'm sure they will give you all the details on schedule and lodging. That's how it worked in Yuma. Pretty much all of us stayed at the same hotel, with a special group rate.