Traron Squadron

That real job thing is keeping me from the FAST Board meeting at Sun N Fun, but we do have our Sec/Tres. Doug Matthews in attendance, more from him later.

The big news is the “formal” approval of the NEW National Formation Manual!

This comprehensive document has replaced the old T-34 Manual as the standard. It is a living document, so Greg will put downloadable, printable files on the website. You should print those out and put them in a 3 ring binder and bring to any clinics you attend. You may also note, I didn’t say anything about cost – there is none. However, since it’s free from the computer at your public library, Kinkos, or your home/office:

I WON’T BE BRINGING ANY!

Sorry, guys but you’re going to have to be a little proactive in your training. You’re also going to have to bring that grade book stuff with you, too.

Now, as I said, this Manual is living and breathing, so if you can a suggestion, forward it on to me. But, indicate the problem, why it’s a problem, and the solution. Also, the couple of years it took to write this thing were because FAST Standard (from ALL signatories), USAF and USN Training Command protocols were combined into a single source document. Meaning I think the horse is about dead; but that doesn’t mean we caught everything. Also, I remind you the Flight Lead has to ability to brief everything and if what you perceive as a problem is just because you don’t do it that way – remember, this Manual went to ALL FAST signatories, flying all different types of equipment.

That’s why there’s the TRARON Supplement, that should also be printed out and placed with the Manual. I apologize for not writing and getting it reviewed as fast as FAST can.

Item 2 is from the last update. The numbers are the numbers, I’ve gotten several emails from those of you that don’t feel you have to follow what is a National Standard that TRARON and the CAF had only a small part in. Whatever your opinion of how things are done, that’s how they are done. The biggest issue seemed to be with the 10 hours of formation time now required to receive the card. That’s a National Standard. Everyone in the country, from jets to L-birds now must comply; it doesn’t have anything to do with the CAF except we live with it.

Now, how do you get formation time without being formation rated in a CAF airplane? That’s why I made the grade book log sheets. Just like as a Student Pilot, you flew with an instructor or Lead (in the same aircraft) that can sign you off.

· The OIP/Lead is the rated individual (he must also be rated in the CAF aircraft, although that’s between you guys and Eric or Bob).

· You can log the time in your grade book, get the IP’s initials on it, bring it to the next clinic for proof of meeting the time requirement.

· If you get recommended for the check ride and pass, you’ll be issued a card.

· It doesn’t say if the 10 hours has to be 4 ship or 2 ship, although you will be checked in the #4 position. I would also advise against getting too dissimilar in your practice, it only makes it harder.

The rest of this is a repeat of the last (February) update since there was so much confusion and angst about what we are doing. You can also look at the slides that have been prepared and are elsewhere on this website for more of the same information in a different presentation.

Basically; we stayed with a lot of the old numbers. For example, the new Lead standard is 500 hours with a Private Pilot certificate; we kept it at 1000 hours with a Commercial certificate. There are several other changes which you can see in the slide show.

Additionally, because of the changes we made to the FAST standard [and let me interject here; as a FAST signatory, we can do anything we want to the standard except reduce them – so, if you want a card with less than 500 hours or a Commercial license you could get an NATA card, not a TRARON card. With that NATA card you can fly formation in waivered airspace, however, under CAF rules you cannot fly a CAF owned aircraft in formation of any kind, we are also stating the following policy:

There will be no more exchange or recognition of other signatory’s card without a check ride and compliance with the TRARON requirements being demonstrated.

The 2-ship program is for aircraft which are few in number and do not gather regularly enough to get a 4-ship together. It does not apply to T-6s.

Wingmen will be checked in the #4 position. While this varies through FAST, is has always been a way of doing things, but somebody had an issue because it wasn’t written that way – now it is.

Check rides will occur only at clinics to ensure the FORMAL ground school portion is met. Eventually, in my copious free time, I’ll come up with a certificate of completion or something so we can change this back, but for right now…

Since it was brought up at the FAST Board meeting (I thought it went without saying); the recommending Lead and the Check Pilot have to be two different people. The Check Pilot will fly in the aircraft with the ‘checkee’. And only certain Lead’s can recommend, they know who they are.

There is another event happening, at HQ this time, in early June. Please check the “Future Clinics” page for details.

AGAIN, WE NEED MORE CLINICS! All it takes is a 4-ship!

TRARON will help with any local clinic you guys want to hold, we will get you instructors/check pilots. All it takes is a 4-ship and an airport willing to work with you. Ideally, you should plan on a ground school Friday evening and as much flying as you can get in on Saturday and Sunday.

Anybody interested in more should contact me at skipperh@earthlink.net and please put "FAST" in the subject line before I spam you out.

Skipper

PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE