TX Formation Flying Clinic @ KHYI (San Marcos, TX) 3/23 to 3/26/18

[bucko]

The 5th Annual Mooney Caravan Formation Flying Clinic is back at KHYI (San Marcos, TX)  on Friday, March 23rd, to Sunday, March 25th, 2018.

Weather Back up Date (if required):  April 6th to 8th, 2018.
 
FBO:       Redbird Skyport at KHYI: (512) 878-6670
 
Contact:  Bucko Strehlow                 
               8 Corby Lane
               San Antonio, TX  78218
               (210) 887-0144
               bucko.strehlow@gmail.com
 
Purpose:  Train pilots to safely perform formation flying using classroom briefings and actual aircraft in actual conditions.  The clinics provide a professional learning format, with pre and post flight briefings, along with skilled observer pilots helping to conduct the clinic and riding in the training aircraft.
 
The Mooney Caravan organization is dedicated to facilitating a safe and enjoyable formation mass arrival flight into AirVenture Oshkosh each year, as well as developing opportunities (such as these clinics) throughout the year to get together and fly our fantastic airplanes. Our participants share a strong sense of camaraderie and the friendship’s born via our common interests in aviation and Mooney aircraft, spanning the continent and the entire year between Oshkosh Caravan flights. The enjoyment and enthusiasm which we all experience at AirVenture doesn’t wear off; we keep it going throughout the year! 
 
Why you should do it (Check all that may apply): 
 
     1.  Because IT WILL BE A LOT OF FUN !!!
     2.  To learn new skills and make yourself a better pilot.
     3.  To be able to fly into Oshkosh in an organized group (with the Mooney Caravan), and with more safely than using the FISK arrival. (Note: this is totally optional.  A lot of you may not even be going to KOSH this year, but this will hopefully plant the seed and you can join us in the future.)
     4.  Red Star is a signatory to FAST, where you can earn your Wingman and Lead Cards.  We are tentatively planning to have a FAST Check Pilot available, for qualified candidates. 
 
 
Sign Up Deadline:  Friday, March 9, 2018, which is two (2) weeks before the actual clinic.  This is to allow us to get enough Observer/ Safety Pilots for the course.  These pilots may be coming from California, Arizona, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas, and we need time to organize how many are required.  Also, please note that attendance may be limited, so it is best to SIGN UP EARLY.  Also, if Safety pilots are limited, some preference may be given to pilots planning to fly in this year's Caravan.
 
Cost:  $ 110.00.   Sign up at: https://goo.gl/forms/rB8BqN2Y7inrjyA43
            Bring cash or check to the clinic when you get there.

Hotel:  Holiday Inn San Marcos at 105 Bintu Drive; San Marcos, TX  78666
            (512) 805-1000                   Contact person:  Darla Wallace
            Group Name: Redbird Skyport
            Single:  $ 119/ night         Double:  $ 129/ night
            Currently, reservations are due by February 26, 2018, but we are trying to extend  that deadline to match the Sign Up Deadline (above).

Transportation:  You fly there and we will get you back and forth on the ground.  Anyone getting a rental or having a personal car available would be appreciated and pressed into service.

Schedule:  Clinic starts at 0800 on Friday, March 23, 2018.  

Meals:  Lunches at the FBO will be provided as a part of the base Registration Fee. Dinners on Friday and Saturday will be catered events at the FBO and tickets will be available for purchase. One night will be BBQ and the other will be Mexican/ TexMex.
 
Homework:  Download and read the "Mooney Caravan Formation Guide" prior to attending the clinic. It can be downloaded from the mooneycaravan.com website from a link in the "Training" section. Newbies:  Watch the Video of the ground training (filmed at an earlier San Marcos/ KHYI Clinic) also in the training section of the website.

I know: there is a lot of information there.  The important items will be reviewed at the Basic Formation Ground School on Friday morning, but you need to have read the Guide so that the information presented at the briefing will be somewhat familiar to you. 

For non Mooney pilots, or anyone interested in working on their FAST card ratings, download and read the "Red Star Training Guide" from the website www.flyredstar.org

 Note: If you have not read a Guide (Mooney or Red Star) prior to coming to the clinic, you may not fly in the clinic.
 
So, sign up by clicking:   https://goo.gl/forms/rB8BqN2Y7inrjyA43
 
Also include your ratings (SEL, IFR, Comm'l, etc), approximate flying hours, Mooney (or other aircraft) Model, home base, and whether you'll be flying with the Caravan into KOSH this year or in the future.
 
I have been going to go to Oshkosh for many years,  but was always landing at satellite airfields because I did not enjoy the VFR/ FISK arrival.  Having done multiple Formation Flying Clinics in Yuma, AZ,  El Paso, TX, Kerrville, TX, and San Marcos, TX, I have now flown with the Mooney Caravan and arrived in style and safety at KOSH  for the past four (4) years.
 
Warning:  This type of flying is both fun and very addicting:  I have flown over 100 formation hours in both 2016 and 2017 as part of multiple elements (2 ships, 3 ships, and 4 ships).  Texas has a lot of people participating in this activity and many opportunities abound to fly together.
 
Tailwinds and High Speed;
 
Bucko
M20-E