Formation Flying Clinic, Mansfield OH

Thanks to all who sent their opinions, comments and ideas on our first-ever formation practice weekend. They truly helped a lot. Now, are you ready for an all-day Saturday and Sunday morning of 4-ship formation flying? Wingwork, diamond formations, formation takeoffs and landings, and - my favorite - rejoins?

It all awaits you at Mansfield, Ohio (MFD) on October 27-28 (arrive Friday Oct 26). We will be hosted by Richland Aviation, who has promised us fuel discounts and all the ramp space we need. Oh, and there may be some beer there, too. There is a nice little restaurant on the field for lunch.

Mansfield is a Class-D airport with a C-130 ANG unit on the field. (They will not be exercising this weekend!) The tower is used to overheads and weird stuff that C-130s do, like drop stuff out the back at low altitude. I talked to the tower chief, and they are very enthusiastic about our coming there. They said "no problem" when we discussed the things we wanted to do.

We'll have a block of rooms at the Fairfield Inn (419-747-2200), ~5 miles away, under the name of "Formation Flying and Fun" group. Make your own reservations. Rate is $63/night for 2 queen beds. Bring a friend! They have a free breakfast, a pool and a hot tub. (There are cheaper places to stay, like Knights Inn, but this is new and clean, and right next to all the restaurants.)

We will have enough cars rented to get us all back and forth. There will be GWO-type of refreshments (although coolers instead of garbage cans!) which means water, soft drinks, snacks, and some cold and refreshing beers when the flying day is over!

Here's the schedule: We will plan to fly (at least) four times on Saturday: 2 flights from 8-12, and 2 flights from 1-5. (Fifth flight from 5-7 if you're up to it!) Sunday will be 2 flights from 8-12. The line-up for the Saturday morning flights will be made at 9:00 Friday night - so be there by then! (If you get in late, we'll get you in a flight but you'll miss the one you REALLY want to be in!)

We will get together at the FBO at 7:50am Saturday (no later!) for a quick 10 minute brief on our operations. (You should get most of it beforehand.)

Also a few quick tips we learned at Blue Ash. The same people will fly in the 2 morning flights (you can - and should if possible - switch leads), and we'll do another line-up during lunch for the 2 afternoon flights.

Your $100 will cover your transportation, your drinks and snacks during the day, and beers after flying. If we have a LOT of money left over, we'll apply an equal amount to everybody's fuel bill. It would also be nice to have a fund to design our own official AYA Formation Photo Flight patch or embroidery for a hat, t-shirt, etc. I'll talk to everyone there to see how you feel when everything's been counted. I will provide a complete accounting of all the cash, so there won't be any funny business (but we WILL have GOOD beer!)

Please let me know if you are coming. I would appreciate it if you would confirm your spot by sending me a check: 2452 Graves Road, Batavia, Ohio 45103. No, I don't take Visa/MC!

So, plan to arrive Friday night. Wingbabe and I will be there ~6:00-6:30. Make your hotel reservations. Re-read your T-34FFM and Cathouse Standards (dated 7-01), practice beforehand if you can, and get ready to have some fun!

BTW, we will NOT be providing safety pilots at this training. Some of the more experienced folks may fly with some of you, but this weekend is not designed for anyone brand-new to formation flying that has not had any instruction/practice. If you've had even one flight with someone in this group, you're welcome to come.

Also, this is not in any way associated with the AYA (or the Grumman Gang, for that matter!).