Formation flight is a very challenging and rewarding aspect of flight, typically associated with the military, used to expedite aircraft departures and recoveries when operating in large numbers or adverse weather
Formation flying shall only be conducted after a thorough pre-flight brief that is conducted by the formation leader
With that, keep in mind, military pilots go through a syllabus dedicated for formation flight with incremental steps, a 10 minute brief does not make up for this
Formation Flight Defined:
Formation flight is when more than one aircraft which, by prior arrangement between the pilots, operate as a single aircraft with regard to navigation and position reporting
Separation between aircraft within the formation is the responsibility of the flight leader and the pilots of the other aircraft in the flight
This includes transition periods when aircraft within the formation are maneuvering to attain separation from each other to effect individual control and during join-up and breakaway
Standard Formations:
A standard formation is one in which a proximity of no more than 1 mile laterally or longitudinally and within 100 feet vertically from the flight leader is maintained by each wingman
Nonstandard Formations:
Nonstandard formations are those operating under any of the following conditions:
When the flight leader has requested and ATC has approved other than standard formation dimensions
When operating within an authorized altitude reservation (ALTRV) or under the provisions of a letter of agreement
When the operations are conducted in airspace specifically designed for a special activity
Rules to live by:
The higher numbers in the formation must avoid all lower numbers:
-4 must avoid -3, -2 and Lead;
-3 must avoid -2 and Lead;
-2 must avoid Lead
Commonly referred to as "4 avoids 3 avoids 2 avoids 1"
One exception is if -3 has the Tac Lead in a division
Collision avoidance is reference the position you're flying, not necessarily your formation number
Radios:
Comm 1 (pri) is for ATC and GCI/AIC frequencies
Comm 2 (aux/tac) is for intra-formation calls
Always de-conflict prior to transiting anyone's altitude
Preflight:
The formation leader shall execute one flight plan for the entire formation and shall:
Sign the flight plan form as PIC
Ensure that all pilots are briefed on en-route weather and navigational aids
Ensure that each pilot holds a valid instrument rating, if any portion of flight is to be conducted under IMC
Ensure that a flight leader formation brief is conducted to include, but not to be limited to:
Loss of sight
Lost communication
Inadvertent IMC
Emergency procedures
Ensure that necessary maps, charts, and publications are in the possession of each pilot
Ensure that formation integrity is maintained in flight
Joining Formations:
Unless specifically ordered, a single aircraft shall not join a formation in the air
One formation shall not join another formation
The order for joining formation in the air shall be given prior to takeoff of the aircraft concerned or by radio, and the leader of the formation to be joined shall be informed that the order has been given
Exceptions to this paragraph may be made when the leader of a formation signals another aircraft to join the formation
When about to join a formation, the pilot of a single aircraft or leader of other formations shall approach their formation position from a safe altitude and from the side
They shall not take their final position until their presence has been acknowledged by the leader of the formation to be joined
Whenever a lead change is required in a formation of two or more aircraft, it will be accomplished in an unambiguous manner
Pilots shall ensure that both aircraft exchanging the lead are aware of the change through positive acknowledgment by visual signals or voice transmissions
Standard section formation is parade on initial join-up and in IMC
ATC Spread (within 1 NM and ± 100') should be used if VMC en route
Standard division formation is fingertip on initial join-up and in IMC
Fluid four (all aircraft within 1 NM and ± 100') should be used if VMC en route
Using an A/A TACAN each 0.1 is 600'
Dissimilar Formation Flight:
Pilots involved should perform a preflight brief delineating all aspects of the pending formation flight
Items to be briefed, in addition to those identified above, shall include items peculiar to either aircraft community (e.g., limitations/capabilities/hazards affecting the flight/rendezvous/join-up/separation)
Unplanned Formation Flight:
In the event unscheduled formation flight becomes necessary, every attempt shall be made by the aircrew involved to conduct a sufficient in-flight brief prior to join up
De-confliction:
Altitude blocks, if allowed, are the safest option
Typically wing will have the higher block (1-4 and 5-9)
Positioning:
During both cruise and parade, you must be in a position to see hand and arm signals - if unable due to maneuvering, assume that position as soon as practical
Night:
You own the formation lights in front of you
The cue for maintaining bearing line at night is to have lead slightly aft of the day cue, because of the reduced overtake
DDI HUD display should be closest to lead for a shorter scan
25 knots maximum excessive speed
All turns are IMC
"lights" or "go midnight" can be used to determine if you found leads jet
Hand Signals:
Formation:
Affirmative:
Day: Thumbs up or head nod
Night: Flashlight moved vertically up-and-down repeatedly
Negative:
Day: Thumbs down or head shake
Night: Flashlight moved horizontally back-and-forth repeatedly
Clarify:
Day: Hand cupped behind ear as if listening
Night: None
Wait:
Day: Hand held up, palm toward pilot
Night: None
Ignore Last Signal:
Day: Hand waved back and forth in an erasing motion in front of face, with palm turned forward
Night: Trace of letter N, given by external light
Numbers:
Day:
Fingers held vertically indicate 1 through 5
Fingers held horizontally indicate 6 through 9
A clenched fist indicates zero
Night: None
Equipment Malfunctions:
To quickly pass equipment malfunctions across aircraft, numbers have been labeled to large systems (Abbreviated HEFOE-F):
1: Hydraulic
2: Electric
3: Fuel
4: Oxygen System
5: Engine
6: Flight Control System
Day: Arms bend across forehead weeping indicated by the number 1 through 6
Night: Flashlight held above head toward wingman, followed by 1 to 6 dashes
Takeoff:
Lead Ready to Take Position on Runway:
Day: Affirmative Signal
Night: Lead turns formation lights off
Wingman Ready to Take Position on Runway:
Day: Affirmative Signal
Night: Wingman turns formation lights off
Wingman Ready for Takeoff:
Day: Affirmative Signal
Night: Wingman turns formation lights on
Takeoff in Sequence:
Day: Lead kisses off wingman
Night: Lead turns on formation lights
Lead Changes:
You have the lead:
Day: Leader pats self on the head and points to wingman
Night: Lead turns strobes on or points flashlight at head then to wingman
Designate new lead:
Day: Leader pats self on the head and hold up two or more fingers
Night: None
Leaving/Breakup Formation:
Leaving Formation:
Day: Blows kiss to leader
Night: None
Designate Aircraft to Leave Formation
Day: Leader blows kiss and points to aircraft
Night: None
Investigate Area:
Day: Leader points to wingman then points to eye then to area
Night: None
Breakup Formation:
Day: Leader holds up and rotates two fingers in horizontal circle
Night: None
Breakup & Rendezvous:
Day: Leader holds up and rotates horizontal circle
Night: Series of Is in code given by external lights
Landing:
I am landing:
Day: Landing motion with open hand followed by patting head
Night: None
You Land:
Day: Landing motion with open hand followed by pointing to another aircraft
Night: None
Inflight:
Adjust Wing Position Fore or Aft:
Day: Open hand held vertically and moved forward or backward, palm facing the intended direction
Night: None
Adjust Wing Position Up or Down:
Day: Open hand held vertically and moved up or down, palm facing the intended direction
Night: None
Adjust Wing Position In or Out:
Day: Open hand held vertically and moved in or out, palm facing the intended direction
Night: None
I am going to Climb or Descend:
Day: Open hand flat and palm down, simulating a dive or climb
Night: None
I am going to Level-off:
Day: Open hand flat and palm down, moved horizontally above the glare shield
Night: None
Turn Transponder to Standby:
Day: Two fingers pointed toward eyes followed by cut
Night: None
Set Transponder Mode/Code:
Day: Two fingers pointed toward eyes followed by the code
Night: None
Slow down:
Day: Move head backward
Night: None
Speed up:
Day: Move head forward
Night: None
Turn:
Day: Move head left or right
Night: None
Take Cruise Position:
Day: Thumb waved backward over shoulder
Night: Series of 00s given by external lights
Single Crossunder:
Day: Left/Right arm held up with a clenched fist
Night: SIngle R given by external lights
Section Crossunder:
Day: Left/Right clenched in a fist, pumping motion
Night: Series of Rs given by external lights
Division Crossunder:
Day: Triple wing-dip
Night: Series of Vs given by external lights
Lead Swishes Tail:
Day: Form column formation
Night: None
Extend or retract speed brakes:
Day: Open and close four fingers and thumb
Night: Three dashes with external lights
Runway in Sight:
Day: Point index finger toward runway
Night: One dash with external lights
Fuel check:
Day: Raise fist with thumb extended in drinking position
Night: None
You have the radios:
Day: Tap earphones followed by patting the head and pointing to other aircraft
Night: None
I have the radios:
Day: Tap earphones followed by patting the head
Night: None
Switch Channel:
Day: Tap earphones followed by number of channel
Night: None
Emergency:
I must land immediately:
Day: Landing motion with open hand
Night: Circular motion of flash light toward other aircraft
Are you having difficulty:
Day: Point to pilot and give thumbs down
Night: Flash dots with exterior lights
Conclusion:
Most of this page is written for military, however, all can be applied to civil formation flying