Traron Squadron

The recent mid-air collision at Duxford between lead (P-51) and #2 (Skyraider) brings up a serious problem in formation flying. Although we fly close to each other intensely watching the other aircraft, the most danger occurs when NOT looking at the other aircraft, i.e. BLIND.

There are three major risks of collision in formation flying: (1) Mishandling of flight controls or power, (2) Misjudging closure rate, and (3) Loss of sight and Situational awareness.

Let’s discuss Loss of Sight (a.k.a. Blind). In the Duxford accident, a non-standard break (lead broke left up and over #2 on the left, then 2 broke left). Lead made a fairly gentle break up and to the left, #2 made a more aggressive pull-up a left turn and obviously did not see Lead as he cut him off and pulled up into him (belly up to lead). #3 was fairly close, but missed the melee’.

A break from echelon is much safer. If each aircraft breaks at the assigned interval and matches leads bank and pull up (if any), losing sight of lead or the aircraft you are flying off of) should not be a problem, and there should be no closure. Avoid non-standard breaks.

Another risk area of losing sight and confusion is the rejoin. If you are doing a break and rejoin as #4, and can’t identify all 3 aircraft in front of you, you are BLIND. If you are in straight trail announce “Lead, #4 is blind and turning right (or left”) away from the formation. If lead has started the rejoin turn when you lose sight, make the Blind call, turn away from the turn circle and change altitude (climb or descend). Expect Lead to make a “Knock it Off” call, everybody goes wings level and the Lead will issue instructions to sort out the problem

If you are close in on a rejoin and lose sight, go immediately to lag pursuit, call “Blind”, and get out of the turn circle. Do not attempt to rejoin until cleared by lead. Change altitude to get out of the plane of the rejoin.

Landings after the break are another area of risk (recall the crash of 2 P-51’s at OSH a few years ago). Be certain that you follow the aircraft directly in front of you. If that aircraft happens to make a long, wide approach, it is easy to lose the count and turn in front of him. With low wing aircraft (e.g. T-6, T-28) you will be belly up to him, and he will be looking straight ahead at the runway and the aircraft he is following.

Another loss of sight scenario is take off (OSH-Bearcat and Corsair). Cock your aircraft on the runway, (tail out), so that you can see the flight in front of you. Don’t roll until there is air under their main gear.

Remember that “S..t Happens”. Be eternally vigilant. If you lose sight CALL IT!

Will Rogers said that there are 3 types of men (today P.C. would require “persons”).

Those who learn by reading.
The few who learn by observation.
Those who have to pee on the electric fence to find out for themselves.

Don’t be the 3^rd kind!

Morris