Eastern Mooney Caravan Formation Training

[201er]

Well on the East coast we do it with video! Ha!

 

 

I'll let Bob Bellville and friends do all the talking

Edited July 13, 2016 by 201er

[steingar]

Look like fun. Wished I could have joined you guys.  Let time I flew formation it was in Cherokees, and we just did everything at 90 knots.  Take off, cruise, and approach.  You just dumped flaps and power over the numbers to slow down.

What about you guys?  Take off at 90, cruise at 135, land at 90?  How do you transition to wheels down?

[Seth]

WIsh I could have joined too!!!  Can't believe it's been a year since I attended the WV clinic.

[Seth]

22 hours ago, steingar said:

Look like fun. Wished I could have joined you guys.  Let time I flew formation it was in Cherokees, and we just did everything at 90 knots.  Take off, cruise, and approach.  You just dumped flaps and power over the numbers to slow down.

What about you guys?  Take off at 90, cruise at 135, land at 90?  How do you transition to wheels down?

You transition to gear down when the lead ship gives a signal (overexagerated nodding/bowing of the head).  Usually by the right seat.  That's the signal to put the gear down.  

-Seth

[Seth]

Great pics and video Mike!!!

 

-Seth

[Bob_Belville]

I was at Fredericksburg.  90 kts climb and landing, no flaps. Lead called out gear down over # 2 radio freq. (Mooneys are no very good for hand or head signals. No way #3 - right wing - can see the lead pilot except for release brakes, start t.o. roll.)

[Seth]

2 hours ago, Bob_Belville said:

I was at Fredericksburg.  90 kts climb and landing, no flaps. Lead called out gear down over # 2 radio freq. (Mooneys are no very good for hand or head signals. No way #3 - right wing - can see the lead pilot except for release brakes, start t.o. roll.)

Got it - all information briefed prior to departure.  We used hand and head signals when we were at Martinsburg for the formation training in May 2015.

Perfect example how you NEVER fly formation unless you have briefed it on the ground first and all pilots understand what to do for all situations.

 

-Seth

[steingar]

Yeah, brief the flight, fly the brief.  Brief everything, especially if someone has to abort.  Especially if lead has to abort.  Fly the plan and nobody trades paint.  Maybe next year, fellas.

[Seth]

Maybe some two and four bird practices arranged with safety pilots in the meantime after a breakfast flight before then!

[Bob_Belville]

I just heard from "Sandman" the lead pilot for my flight and know that I'll be flying in Formation/Element "E". "Say What" will be #2, I'll be #3. We will fly a couple of sorties on Saturday in Madison. 

[N9201A]

Best Coasters use video too!

https://vimeo.com/174963324