Traron Squadron

The big news is the “formal” DIS -- approval of the NEW National Formation Manual! How quickly things change. It was decided at the FAST Board meeting during Oshkosh that the new National Manual, of which there has been so much discussion is not to be used -- INSTEAD, it will be re-written into sort of a large Practical Test Standard and each signatory, including TRARON, will come up with it’s own way of teaching that standard. Standby for a lot more on that issue during the winter months.

However, we still use the grade sheets and only some guys brought them to ODO. You need to be proactive on your training, and carry those with you. It does help move things along for the instructor to see what you’ve done and what you need to do. Remember:

I WON’T BE BRINGING ANY!

At the Wednesday night meeting, an informal gathering to discuss stuff I write in this format, we had several opinions brought up about the CAF requirement to have a TRARON card to fly formation, any time any where. As we explained at that meeting, that rule wasn’t made by TRARON but by the General Staff. We also had a Staff member or two there and they seem to realize the issue and, I think, are amenable to changing it reference waivered airspace.

Once again, 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.

Also from the last couple of updates as a reminder:

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.

Lastly, I have changed a couple of things in my life that should allow more time to do this better. My apologies for not writing as timely an update or two as I should have and not making as many clinics as Lead should. I will do better.

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.

PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE