Originally Posted by
OpenCirrus619
Seeing this just makes me cringe. Some people think that as long as I am not to close I am safe when in fact the exact opposite is true. Then to add to the danger you have a formation of low performance high wing airplanes
This formation is OK until the lead airplane decides to turn, particularly if it he needs to quickly do a moderate (30 deg) banked turn for say avoiding traffic. The airplanes on the outside of the turn will instantly go blind as their wing will block the lead and quickly fall out of position as they have a much longer radius turn they will not have the power to keep position and will fall back.
The airplanes on the inside of the turn will be flying a much smaller radius circle and will have to dramatically slow down and bank more steeply or they will close lead.
After 90 degrees of turn everyone will be out of position and probably in a dangerous position.
Sadly this exact scenario happened to a same way, same day formation of Cessna 150's and resulted in a mid air with 2 dead and badly injured.....
I was taught formation flying and then how to instruct formation flying by an x Military QFI and Display pilot. We fly low wing x military trainers with full bubble canopies and parachutes. and everyone holds a current FAST formation qualification recognized by the FAA and Transport Canada.
Want to learn to fly formation ? Great, but go to a school that has suitable aircraft ( Not 150's
) and appropriately qualified instructors.
You can't teach yourself formation flying !