Fine pitch - you can find the construction and equipment requirements for large aeroplanes at the JAA website. There is nothing precluding the carriage of passengers so long as the aeroplane is compliant with the relevant parts of JAR 25.
To fly in formation, all that is legally required is the consent of the aeroplane commanders.
But carrying passengers in the bowels of a time-expired trash hauler which doesn't even carry the required emergency equipment or meet certification standards is totally against these requirements. If we have to provide proper seating for office typists, then why should we not provide proper seating for aircraft passengers?
The secret of passenger flying in the VC10K4 is known to but a few - it has seats pitched at the maximum value permitted which gives even more leg room than in the VC10C1K!!
[ 01 December 2001: Message edited by: BEagle ]