November 12-14, 2010 - Team RV Formation Clinic

Part Two

We didnt' have to get up so early Sunday morning since the All Up Formation brief was in the motel and didn't start until 0800. Bones, who just passed his Flight Lead checkride yesterday, would be leading the formation and gave the brief.

This would be a 21-ship flight and it was serious business. I was in the Bravo section - number 4. Smokey was Bravo lead and Stripes was #3.

After the brief we headed to the airport. Everyone was expected to be in their aircraft with engines running, ready to go, at 1000, and they were. Right at 1000 Bones initiated a radio-check and the other 20 pilots checked in. Then Alpha flight taxied out. I saw the other Bravo flight planes start taxiing and I joined the tail end. I did a

nice formation take-off with Stripes, line abreast with him just like you're supposed to be. Then I moved into fingertip position. I was thinking he would move me to the other side, but as we approached the lead element I realized we would just join directly into the diamond formation which we did. After that, my only job was to off #1 in the slot position.

This is what was given to us at the All Up brief. A picture is worth a thousand words.

The Formation Clinic attendees just prior to heading to the airport after the All Up flight brief.

Wow, look at all those RV taxiing! You can just see my plane on the left.

Since I was somewhat busy during the formation flight, the following pictures were taken by passengers in other aircraft.

Stripes and I are approaching the lead element to join in diamond formation. At first I thought he was going to cross me over but then I realized we would just join directly into the diamond formation.

Bones led the entire 21-ship flight.

Stripes and I in fingertip formation off Smokey (Bravo lead).

Initially, the five sections were near each other but not tight. Bravo section was still in diamond formation when it was time to form the "Airplane" formation. I was moved to fingertip formation but as soon as I got there Stripes crossed under to left echelon and I followed him. Once in echelon our section went in tight. Soon the entire formatin was in the formation they called "The Airplane". It was really quite impressive how it worked. I'm on the furthest right of the picture.

From the Airplane formation my Bravo section went back to diamond formation and we became part of a giant Wedge. It was all rather overwhelming to me but all I had to do was stay in the slot behind Bravo lead. Bravo lead maneuvered Bravo section as directed by the Formation lead on the radio, which was surprisingly clear, despite all that was going on. Only essential communication took place. This was only possible due to the thorough flight briefing and the experience and training of all the participants.

Once we were in the giant wedge, I was aware that there were airplanes all around me. But I couldn't really look around.

After the Wedge, the Formation Lead moved the sections and some individual airplanes s around to form the below formation. Don't ask me how he did it. I was focused on staying in the slot behind Bravo lead.

I thought the lines and spacing looked pretty good.

My section -- Bravo section -- is on the left in diamond formation in loose proximity to Alpha section on the right.

Now Bravo section is tightly attached to Alpha section.

Now the entire formation is in tight.

Bravo section in right echelon.

The view from Alpha lead, right side.

The view from Bravo lead.

Another shot from Bravo lead.

Bravo section in left echelon.

Bravo flight in left echelon.

Bones debriefing the All Up flight. Everyone was pumped after the successful flight.

Arjan and I refueled, said goodbye to everyone, then headed for home. Mike was heading south to do some hiking in the Appalachians.

On the way, Arjan and I went down load and checked out the foliage.

The camera doesn't capture how scenic it was.

Not a cloud in the sky. They couldn't have asked for better weather for the Formation Clinic. I was happy for them. Too often you see people spend so much time organizing and setting up a Fly-In or aviation event, only to see it get rained out, or cancelled due to high winds.

What a great weekend. Thanks again to the Team RV folks for putting on such a fun event. I think Don H. said it the best:

"This weekend was another one of those moments when I was drawn to go hug my
airplane and say, "Yeah, this is why I hid in my basement for 3.5 years building
you..."

I have had other interesting hobbies over the years, but I can think of few
examples where the leaders in their respective communities give their time and
expertise as freely as teamrv and all the flight leads do. Thanks so much for
the high standards you set on the ground and in the air."

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