Surprised this video doesn't have more views. I had a similiar experience documenting formation flying. I find it odd, because formation flying is a fantastically rewarding skill to learn. Thanks for coming to Europe.
Thanks yeah - I don't think the international content resonates with the large majority of my audience 🤷♂️ This one yielded me a net negative 10 subscribers. 👌. Regardless, it has become harder and harder to have content get shared across the platform the past few years; If it's not totally click bait, it has a hard time gaining traction. I'm veeeeeerrrry close to done here.
I've just gotten started in my RW add-on, but tension is the absolute #1 enemy to a steady helicopter (and light FW, for that matter) control. As soon as I tense up, my flight turns into a carnival ride. Take a deep breath and relax and it smoothes right out.
Awesome video. There’s a lot of flashy “eye-candy” videos on formation flying but very few videos which take the time to explain the technical procedures.
This one was a big surprise; never would have guessed you did formation in Cherokees during this trip... including takeoff, tail chase, rejoins and landing! That formation was tight! The depth and breadth of your flight experience never ceases to amaze me. The little bit of informal formation training I had in the RV-8 was loose and I was always flying solo; I was talked through maneuvers and techniques by the experts in the other plane. Don't blame you for being nervous initially; I certainly would have been. Tail chases are always fun! I hope someday I can get more formation and aerobatic training; we'll see what the future holds. My near future will be attending Bomber Camp in Stockton CA next week. Can't wait to share that experience on my channel.
The controller in the tower in the video is Kjell, an avid aviator with tons of experience in gliders and other aircraft too. Retired as a controller now, but afaik he still flies airplanes!
Great video, formation flying is one of the coolest things you can do with an airplane IMO. It clearly requires, on one hand, a lot of concentration to keep up with what's going on around you, and on the other, a great deal of trust on the people flying with you. Thanks for sharing some of the learning process and techniques used!
Another enjoyable episode, Steve. And if I'm ever in Sweden I'll look forward to visiting that flying club. Seems like a great bunch of people. One question - if that were a final flight test you'd obviously need 2 planes for it. Would the school normally arrange the flight with two students finishing their training? If not, I imagine a single student finishing would have to pay for two rentals and instructors. Just curious.
Steve, love the videos. Keep up the great work and content. I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but that formation take off position as 2 is the absolute unsafest position to put yourself in. The correct way, and the way FFI, RPA and FAST teach it, is 2 lines up his leading edge with Lead's trailing edge on respective sides of the runway. That way, in the event of power loss, blown tire, etc by Lead, you are long gone down the runway. In your case in the video, Lead had the potential of crossing in front of you causing all sorts of drama. Hope that makes sense.
Different formation disciplines have different SOPs and different mitigations for those risks. FFI, FAST, USAF, RAF, RAAF, RCAF, RNZAF all slightly different. Most of the Anglo countries draw their procedural base from RAF procedures (tally-ho good chap!) and do formation takeoffs on the echelon line. USAF-derived procedures are more in line with what Tom described above, with the wingman hot on the echelon line until after ground separation. A century of accumulated operational experience suggests both alternatives are equivalently safe. SOPs are incredibly important in formation flying, and briefings should cover these details if there is any doubt at all. Everyone needs to be on the same page before the engines start.
@@MarkNewtonFlies Mark, my sensitivities are hurt as you left out my USN. LOL. You nailed it with the necessity for very detailed pre take off briefs like the Blues. That is our USN standard, along with hand signals and head nods when airborne. I taught formation flying at PNS in the 50's to students with 40 hrs. in the T-28B. It is intense and thrilling. Tail chases are the most fun. Rendezvous at night the least fun. The same with A-4, F-4 and A-6's. Training, training, training. Stay well, my friend.
@@skipwood2059 Apologies about your sensitivities, but you're probably used to it :) My formation exploits have been day-VFR only, but usually the briefings/debriefings take longer than the flying itself. This is my team: ruclips.net/video/v4NCFjAr_kw/видео.html I'm #12 in the balbo and half of the synchro pair. We flew a 13 minute routine at the Pacific Airshow last year, which routinely featured 45 minute briefings and 90 minute debriefs. And we didn't even have popcorn, for god's sake.
It is s beautiful flying and what everyone dreams of doing. But only with proficient pilots and very proficient instructors. Just don’t think it is the safest thing for two buddies to go out and try
Surprised this video doesn't have more views. I had a similiar experience documenting formation flying. I find it odd, because formation flying is a fantastically rewarding skill to learn. Thanks for coming to Europe.
Thanks yeah - I don't think the international content resonates with the large majority of my audience 🤷♂️
This one yielded me a net negative 10 subscribers. 👌.
Regardless, it has become harder and harder to have content get shared across the platform the past few years; If it's not totally click bait, it has a hard time gaining traction.
I'm veeeeeerrrry close to done here.
I've just gotten started in my RW add-on, but tension is the absolute #1 enemy to a steady helicopter (and light FW, for that matter) control. As soon as I tense up, my flight turns into a carnival ride. Take a deep breath and relax and it smoothes right out.
Awesome video. There’s a lot of flashy “eye-candy” videos on formation flying but very few videos which take the time to explain the technical procedures.
That was my goal - I’m glad you enjoyed it! 👍
This one was a big surprise; never would have guessed you did formation in Cherokees during this trip... including takeoff, tail chase, rejoins and landing! That formation was tight! The depth and breadth of your flight experience never ceases to amaze me. The little bit of informal formation training I had in the RV-8 was loose and I was always flying solo; I was talked through maneuvers and techniques by the experts in the other plane. Don't blame you for being nervous initially; I certainly would have been. Tail chases are always fun! I hope someday I can get more formation and aerobatic training; we'll see what the future holds. My near future will be attending Bomber Camp in Stockton CA next week. Can't wait to share that experience on my channel.
wow...that looked intense fun....well done.
That looked like a lot of fun. Nice work.
That looked like great fun. nicely done Steve.
Very enjoyable! Thank you Steve, great flying!
Formation flying was fun and really cool when I did it years ago.
Did a trip to Chicago with 4 planes and one to Oshkosh with 3.
Super cool as always FC, thanks for sharing! Had a complete ball learning formation in our Pitts family, always learning every day.
Wow. This is quite magical. What control, shows just how good you are at this. Thanks!
Nice work Steve - certainly a need for a lot of concentration and flightpath visualization. :)
Nice DC-3 in the background! :D
The controller in the tower in the video is Kjell, an avid aviator with tons of experience in gliders and other aircraft too. Retired as a controller now, but afaik he still flies airplanes!
It seems like this would be very useful training for anyone flying into Airventure! Plus... it just looks like fun. 😀
Great training, one doesn't know how "sloppy" their flying is, until you try this kind of precision flying.
Great video, formation flying is one of the coolest things you can do with an airplane IMO. It clearly requires, on one hand, a lot of concentration to keep up with what's going on around you, and on the other, a great deal of trust on the people flying with you. Thanks for sharing some of the learning process and techniques used!
Good workout
Yay Steve!
Fun 😊
Another enjoyable episode, Steve. And if I'm ever in Sweden I'll look forward to visiting that flying club. Seems like a great bunch of people. One question - if that were a final flight test you'd obviously need 2 planes for it. Would the school normally arrange the flight with two students finishing their training? If not, I imagine a single student finishing would have to pay for two rentals and instructors. Just curious.
Two RV-14 pilots at the controls, what could go wrong ;)
Steve, love the videos. Keep up the great work and content. I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but that formation take off position as 2 is the absolute unsafest position to put yourself in. The correct way, and the way FFI, RPA and FAST teach it, is 2 lines up his leading edge with Lead's trailing edge on respective sides of the runway. That way, in the event of power loss, blown tire, etc by Lead, you are long gone down the runway. In your case in the video, Lead had the potential of crossing in front of you causing all sorts of drama. Hope that makes sense.
Thanks for the insights - I’ll review when I have time - just between training flights right now.
Different formation disciplines have different SOPs and different mitigations for those risks. FFI, FAST, USAF, RAF, RAAF, RCAF, RNZAF all slightly different.
Most of the Anglo countries draw their procedural base from RAF procedures (tally-ho good chap!) and do formation takeoffs on the echelon line. USAF-derived procedures are more in line with what Tom described above, with the wingman hot on the echelon line until after ground separation. A century of accumulated operational experience suggests both alternatives are equivalently safe.
SOPs are incredibly important in formation flying, and briefings should cover these details if there is any doubt at all. Everyone needs to be on the same page before the engines start.
@@MarkNewtonFlies Mark, my sensitivities are hurt as you left out my USN. LOL. You nailed it with the necessity for very detailed pre take off briefs like the Blues. That is our USN standard, along with hand signals and head nods when airborne. I taught formation flying at PNS in the 50's to students with 40 hrs. in the T-28B. It is intense and thrilling. Tail chases are the most fun. Rendezvous at night the least fun. The same with A-4, F-4 and A-6's. Training, training, training. Stay well, my friend.
@@skipwood2059 Apologies about your sensitivities, but you're probably used to it :)
My formation exploits have been day-VFR only, but usually the briefings/debriefings take longer than the flying itself.
This is my team: ruclips.net/video/v4NCFjAr_kw/видео.html I'm #12 in the balbo and half of the synchro pair. We flew a 13 minute routine at the Pacific Airshow last year, which routinely featured 45 minute briefings and 90 minute debriefs. And we didn't even have popcorn, for god's sake.
It is s beautiful flying and what everyone dreams of doing. But only with proficient pilots and very proficient instructors. Just don’t think it is the safest thing for two buddies to go out and try
doesn't FSD do this yet?
It will be ready next year 😉
Looks like basic dog fight maneuvers.
No even close.