Formation arrivals
Hi all,
I have a theroretical situation which I'd like to put to you all and ask for some advice as to whether it's feasible and if so, what would need to be done in order to make it happen.
* At some point next summer, a loose vic formation of five dissimilar GA aeroplanes, ranging in size / power from Cub to Cessna 172 / PA28, possibly a bit more.
* Formation to arrive at an airshow venue as visiting aircraft, but not participants.
* Formation to run in straight and level from a point ten miles out, at not less than 1000 feet and at speed of slowest aircraft.
* Formation to make one pass along the runway on arrival, then break into the circuit to land individually (I hate using the term run in and break, makes it sound a bit too gung ho for my liking)
* Potentially also a sixth aircraft carrying out air to air photography along the approach.
Sounds pretty easy, but it's a completely new area for me, so I want to try and find out whether it's actually achievable. I have a couple of initial questions to begin with, but I'm sure as answers come in I'll find myself having to ask further questions... Anyway, here goes:
1 - would the pilots of the aircraft need to hold Display Authorisations?
2 - What legal requirements are there for a formation arrival, in terms of dissimilar aircraft types, pilot currency in formation flying.
As I say, it's just a basic germ of an idea at the moment, which may or may not come to fruition. If it does, it will be around mid summer next year. Interested to hear any and all thoughts and advice from all quarters on this...
Ta,
BeauMan