Originally Posted by
melmothtw
(though I still don't get why you need to fly within 20 ft to do that, but hey ho).
Because it's fun.
If the RC was flying standard straight and level, and smooth as RJ's tend to, it's a stable "lead" for a bit of unbriefed formation flying by our friends in Ivanland.
Don't disagree that getting up close and personal like that is more risk laden -- see the foolish Chinese pilot in the early 00's and what happened between him and the P-3 -- but let me offer this idea:
most fast jet pilots are good enough at formation flying that they can pull it off without it being dangerous.
Should they? Were I his Ops officer, I'd have a word with him about his judgment.