A couple of fellow pilots and I are planning a cross-country together and would like some practical advice on formation flight. We aren't wanting to go "Blue Angels" and fly really close formations with tight precision, but just fly close enough to keep our group together. We are aware of FAR 91.111, and just want some tips to see how to/if we could do this in a safe, practical manner.
Any suggestions for a specific "formation"? Vertical, horizontal, and lateral separation between planes? Should we submit a flight plan with formation flight in the remarks (especially to cover us per FAR 91.111.b)? Suggestions for coordinating with ATC? Should we specify a "lead" and other Maybe have all aircraft file/open a flight plan and one "lead" aircraft request flight following with all others monitoring the center freq?
Have you flown with a friend to Oshkosh, Sun'n'Fun, or any number of other fly-ins? Any stories or ideas on what did/didn't work are gladly welcomed. Thanks in advance!
And just for reference....
FAR 91.111
“Operating near other aircraft. (a) No person may operate an aircraft so close to another aircraft as to create a collision hazard. (b) No person may operate an aircraft in formation flight except by arrangement with the pilot in command of each aircraft in the formation. (c) No person may operate an aircraft, carrying passengers for hire, in formation flight.”
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