Never saw a formation T/O or LDG with a transport type before.
For fighters the contract for formation stuff (at least in our part of the world) is as follows:
-Formation T/O and LDG is always in close formation. Never 300 feet apart as mentioned above.
-Both for T/O and LDG the centerline is to be treated as a brick wall.
-RWY has to be at least 125 feet wide (F-16).
-Both aircraft have to line up on the center of their half of the RWY. (In Canada we used to do Vic formation T/O in the Hawk (3 ship - one on the centerline and one on each side). Not very clever me think).
-Wingman always on the upwind side to reduce chances of him getting into leads wash. (apparently not an issue in the Hawk.....)
-Maximum 20 KTS crosswind allowed.
-Wingman has one "push it up" or "give me one" call. If still unable to keep position he is to perform individual T/O or if during approach, to break away and perform go around on his own.
-In case of dual abort or dual brake failure, the first aircraft to reach the cable owns it. The other will turn on to the grass and eject before leaving the prepared surface (F-16 are not suitable for off-roading. They tend to break the nose wheel, dig in, collapse the cockpit around the pilot, flip upside-down and ignite).
-Mixed type (ie. F-16 with Mirage) T/O and landing not allowed.
-Configuration or weight which gives T/O or LDG speed difference of more then 10 KTS not allowed.
Obviously display teams do it differently, but their formation training level is much higher then the average squadron pilot.
For reduced spacing landing of the same formation members, the following apply:
-At least 3000 feet landing separation (day VMC).
-All formation members to acknowledge which side of the RWY is slow/cold side (if not stated by airfield SOP or if non standard).
-All formation members to move to slow/cold side as soon as safe to do so.
-When moving over to slow/cold side, no part of aircraft to be on hot side of centerline.
-Slow/cold side will normally be to the same side as the taxiway where the aircraft clears the RWY.
-If for some reason the hot side needs to be crossed when clearing the RWY, it can only be done after all formation members have called "safe speed".
Last edited by F-16GUY; 3rd Oct 2018 at 21:35.