Elements and Performance Criteria
- Plan a formation flight
- Formation flight tasking requirements are identified
- Crews, briefing venue, timing and aircraft availability are coordinated
- Task is analysed to determine manoeuvres and formations that ensure safe outcome
- Flight route is planned to achieve formation outcomes in the time available and within performance capabilities of the flight
- All air traffic, area limitations and navigation requirements are complied with
- Actions in the event of abnormal or emergency situations involving the formation are planned
- Brief and de-brief formation pilots
- Ground and flight manoeuvres are briefed and confirmed with formation crews
- Timings, route(s), speeds and altitudes to be flown are specified
- Deputy leader responsibilities are briefed and confirmed
- Communication procedures, minimum fuel, abnormal and emergency procedures and method of return for landing are briefed and confirmed
- Achievements and any faults or errors that occurred during the formation flight are identified
- Guidance and feedback is provided to other formation members during the post-flight de-brief
- Lead a formation flight
- Lead aircraft is manoeuvred using controlled corrective action to ensure a stable platform for pilots flying in formation stations
- Formation is safely manoeuvred anticipating and allowing for formation size, proximity to obstructions, terrain, airspace limitations, weather conditions and air traffic, while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements
- Formation is directed and controlled using precise standard radio phraseology, hand and other signal procedures
- Formation members' flight 'performances' and appropriate reactions to problems are monitored
- Manage abnormal and emergency situations whilst leading a formation flight