Description

This package from the T-34 Association is “the” way to learn how to conduct safe formation flight. Published by the T-34 Association, the book includes sections on the T-6 Texan, T-28 Trojan, T-34 Mentor, and P-51 Mustang including speeds, sight pictures, and other information specific to each aircraft. It also shows and discusses hand signals, types of formations, formation maneuvers, takeoff and landing procedures, etc. The book is 35 pages long and includes many pictures, diagrams, and charts. This book is the official formation flight manual of many respected groups, including the T-34 Association, Warbirds of America, the Valiant Air Command, North American Trainer Association, the Commemorative Air Force, Formation and Safety Training, and Canadian Warplane Heritage.

Along with the manual, you also get two DVDs – Formation Flying – “The Art”, Vol. 1 and 2, which are endorsed and introduced by none other than Bob Hoover. These feature a mixture of ground-school instruction and a lot of excellent in-flight footage to illustrate the concepts. Vol. 1 has a running time of 1:57 and Vol. 2 is 1:52. You will also get a “Formation Flight Briefing Guide”, which is a pre-printed notepad with spaces for the info you’ll get from the formation briefing: callsigns, positions, routes, maneuvers, power settings, emergency procedures, weather, frequencies, etc.

BOOK INFO: “Formation Flight Manual – 4th Edition” Compiled by the T-34 Association, Inc. Copyright 1996. (No ISBN). Published by the T-34 Association, Inc. 35 Pages, Softcover.

DVD 1 INFO: “Formation Flying – ‘The Art’ – Volume 1” published by Darton International, Copyright 1992. Running time 117 minutes, DVD-R format.

DVD 2 INFO: “Formation Flying – ‘The Art’ – Volume 2” published by Darton International, Copyright 1992. Running time 112 minutes, DVD-R format.

“Formation Flight Manual – 4th Edition” Book Chapters include:

 

1. Introduction
2. Glossary of Terms
3. Formation Basic Training
Formation Discipline
Basic Concepts
General Recommendations
Station Keeping
Formation Exercises
Power Management
Cross-Unders
360 Overhead Approach/Break
Line Astern Pattern Entry
The Downwind Breakup
Formation Takeoff
Formation Landing
4. Standard 4-Ship Formation Rules
Hand Signals
“In-Trail” Formations
Taxi & Shutdown Procedures
Radio Procedures		 5. Dissimilar Aircraft Formation
6. Type Specific Formation Rules
T-28BCD/FENNEC
P-51 Mustang
AT-6/SNJ
7. Qualification Programs
Wingman Qualification Report Form
T-34 Association Flight Leader
Qualification
8. Formation Dos and Don’ts
9. Power Settings
10. Formation Briefing Guide

“Formation Flying – ‘The Art’ – Volume 1” DVD Chapters include:

 

1. Notices
2. Bob Hoover
3. Titles – Film Preview
4. Film Introduction Class – John Harrison
5. Military / History / Philosophy – John Harrison
6. Formation Safety & Flight Equipment Class – John Harrison
7. Hand Signals & Radio Discipline Class – John Harrison
8. Formation Flight Briefing & Emergencies Class – John Harrison		 9. Station Keeping Class – John Harrison
10. Station Keeping Airborne – Film Narration / Graphics Straight and Level
11. Station Keeping Airborne – Film Errors and Corrections
12. Station Keeping Airborne – Film Inside Turns
13. Station Keeping Airborne – Film Turns, Fingertip and Echelon

“Formation Flying – ‘The Art’ – Volume 2” DVD Chapters include:

 

1. Class – Questions and Review of Station Keeping
2. Lecture on Crossunders Class – John Harrison
3. Airborne Film – Crossunder Training
4. Close Trail, Extended Trail, Cruise Formation Lecture Class – John Harrison
5. Airborne Film – Close Trail, Extended Trail – Training
6. Breakup and Re-Join Lecture Class – John Harrison		 7. Airborne Film – Breakup and Re-Join
8. Airborne Film – Hand Signals
9. Formation Takeoff Lecture Class – John Harrison
10. Airborne Film – Formation Takeoffs
11. Airborne Film – Echelon Formation, Break, Landing
12. Formation Landing Lecture Class – John Harrison
13. Airborne Film – Formation Landings
14. Closing / Credits