AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - February 2023 - 52

F
ormation flying is a demanding
mix of teamwork, focus, and
precision. It's a trust exercise in
which each pilot has a critical job
to do-and all must rely on others
to perform their specialized
tasks. When it all comes together,
formation flying is a dynamic,
memorable, and satisfying team sport that can
build new skills and lasting friendships.
Although formation flying can be accomplished
in just about any type of aircraft, a few
important characteristics make some airplanes
particularly well suited for it.
" A low wing, bubble canopy, tandem seating,
and a control stick is ideal, " says Mike
Filucci, a veteran formation instructor, former
U.S. Air Force pilot, and a leader in the Red Star
Pilots Association, a civilian formation flight
training group.
" Tandem seating is best because a pilot gets
the same sight picture out the right or left side
and never has to look cross-cockpit during formation
rejoins, " he said. " A stick helps pilots
avoid over-controlling. The pilot can simply
drop their hand down on the stick and rest
their forearm on their thigh to steady their hand.
That helps keep them from 'churning butter,' or
making constant, abrupt, control inputs with
their stick hand. "
Former U.S. military aircraft such as T-34s,
T-28s, and T-6s were designed for formation
training, and many still serve that purpose with
civilian owners long after their military retirements.
Imported Yak 52s, CJ-6s, Marchetti
SF.260s, and TB-30 Epsilons do the same.
The civilian Varga Kachina has many of the
desired attributes, although relatively few were
produced. Among experimental/amateur-built
models, owners of Van's Aircraft RV series do
a tremendous amount of formation flying and
flight training. Tandem RV-4s and RV-8s are
particularly well-suited, although many of them
lack full dual controls.
Side-by-side RV-6s, RV-7s, and RV-14s are
frequent formation fliers, although their pilots
must deal with the disadvantages of looking
across the cockpit. Side-by-side isn't optimal,
52
AOPA PILOT / February 2023
but the Canadian Snowbirds military demonstration
team long ago proved it can be done in
the CT-114 Tutor jets with grace and elegance.
Another drawback of side-by-side seating-
for righties, anyway-is that in many aircraft, the
left-seat pilot flies with their left hand on the
control stick and their right hand on the throttle.
Some pilots find that arrangement so awkward
that they prefer to fly solo from the right seat. In
side-by-side RVs, students and instructors also
must make do with a single throttle lever.
On the subject of throttles, a Vernier control
that twists in and out is unacceptable to most formation
training organizations. Flying the wing
position requires almost constant, and sometimes
very coarse, throttle movements-and a
Vernier-type control simply isn't up to the task.
Somewhat surprisingly, the light-sport
Van's RV-12 can be a fine formation trainer
despite its relatively small 100-horsepower
engine and light wing loading. AOPA operates
two RV-12s and encourages formation training
in them for staff pilots who participate in aerial
photo and video missions, which incorporate
many of the same procedures and techniques
used in formation flying.
" The RV-12 is highly responsive, it's easy
to control precisely, it's got great visibility, and
sticks, " said Filucci, who has trained several
new formation pilots in these Rotax-powered
airplanes. " We limit our formation training
flights to calm-wind days because of the light
" Tandem seating is best because a
pilot gets the same sight picture
out the right or left side and never
has to look cross-cockpit during
formation rejoins. " -Mike Filucci
AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - February 2023

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