Check out jeff trike's videos Henry. He flies above his leader and just off to the port or starbord depending on what they are doing. If you get into reading his flight log it will give you a whole lot of information concerning this type of flying. Also, I like the fact that he's into shareing it with his fellow pilots.
The following trike is in a very dangerous position, being below the lead trike (below the horizon).
If lead trike unexpected slides over, the wake will be going just over the wing and he is trapped. Can't go up cause of the wake, can go down because of the ground. Try this sort of flying in a tree lined river bed and it will end badly.
Hi Jeff trike, The photo "Almost Down" is being conducted under controlled condisions and under instruction. At no time would this manoeuvre be attempted over trees or a lake at that altitude. We are in the process of landing. The wind was blowing from the West which means the wake is moving away from the aircraft behind me. At no time would I put a student or any other pilot is harms way. I seem to be giving the pilots on Altriker a feeling that my training photos are putting pilots at risk. Not one of the 200 student I have licenced have ever had an accident. So with is in mind I will not put any more photo on the site. I like this site and I would not like any of the other members to think I was promoting dangerous flying.
I would typically agree with Jeff, however, YFT has been trained and authorized to train in close formation flight. I think this is the beginning of a potetntially great discussion & learning opportunity. I would add the caveat that in no other situation would I think this was a good idea, but I am thrilled to learn!!! Woo hoo for both you guys.
Just an amazing shot. Thanks for clarifying about the wind direction, really good point, and makes sense. Sounds like a fantastic training opportunity you offer. I would love to cross the pond and take advantage of that one day!
I did not to mean to sound overly critical in my comment. I just was pointing out that if you are going to fly formation, try it the other way with the lead trike below the pursuit trike. It is a lot less stressfull for the pursuit trike.
My comment about formation flying in a tree lined riverbed is relevant to me, cause I do this sort of flying all the time, and when I am in the rear, I make sure I am above the lead trike.
From what I understand YFT is a licensed formation instructor, a nearly one-of-a-kind thing in trikes. I'm glad you're asking these questions Jeff, because we have the chance hopefully to get a glimpse behind the curtain.
I now that I don't understand it, but what I'm seeing is it IS somehow possible. I'm hoping that NOBODY TRIES this and YFT may be nervous about discussing some for that reason, but because of this new site, suddenly we have attracted a potential gold mine of wisdom-- very cool. I want to say that I've regarded Jeff-Trike as one of the extremely experienced pilots in what he does, and videos that are world-class. To be able to come on here and experience an international sharing of the wealth brought to the table is just too cool.
I know I chatted with YFT and told him I don't like formation flying personally- because I want to look at what I'm flying over and not the other guy's wing (or whatever part you focus on). HOWEVER, I didn't know there was this kind of instruction out there-- and THAT does interest me greatly. Especially for the times I "accidentally" get in formation with someone-- where is the wake exactly, what do I do etc. As well as the discipline you have to take your flying to the next level to stay a few feet away from another pilot. I would never do this in a trike without the instructor environment (though I gaggled with hang gliders frequently). My wife at almost the same time was saying, "you should go, you should go" And I think Ken is interested too, plus all the lurkers.
Apparently, they go through the syllabus of formations one by one, and presumably more demanding ones as they progress. And this photo is of a purposeful and well executed pursuit pilot low formation- not likely on day one of training. It's fascinating, and most of us have the same questions Jeff does.
YFT must get tons of questions like this on the intro phone call and first day of class, etc. We're gonna do what? No way!
Anyway, I'm just glad you are all here and sharing. Just please, no one try this without the training- I've seen the picture, and I wouldn't. Just wow, a look behind the curtain!!!
Thank you guys, YFT, Jeff, everybody .....
Hey YFT, have you seen Jeff-Trikes videos? Wow, they are mind blowing-- many are stunningly meditative, all in the desert South West and most set to Native American music. Jeff, can you post more over here PLEASE? ; )
To All who are placing comments about YFT Formation training. This training is not for everyone. In fact the people who come to me to do the 20 hour formation training and get their federal endorsement have to answer a number of question before they are signed on. I have 12000 hours in Recreational aircraft and more in GA and military aircraft. The candiate for this type of flying must have very good situational awareness. Over here I have to make sure that a pilot has the right attitude for the endorsement before the training starts or the endorsement will be knocked back by the regulator.
That one of my favorite flights, down the upper stretch of the Rio Grande.
The type of formation flying I do is not the air show variety, for an audience on the ground. The audience is only one person, myself following another trike. The scenery is beautiful, and seeing another trike dancing ahead of you makes it even better.
I have a couple formation flights on YouTube, here is another of my favorites.
Comments
Check out jeff trike's videos Henry. He flies above his leader and just off to the port or starbord depending on what they are doing. If you get into reading his flight log it will give you a whole lot of information concerning this type of flying. Also, I like the fact that he's into shareing it with his fellow pilots.
The following trike is in a very dangerous position, being below the lead trike (below the horizon).
If lead trike unexpected slides over, the wake will be going just over the wing and he is trapped. Can't go up cause of the wake, can go down because of the ground. Try this sort of flying in a tree lined river bed and it will end badly.
Hi Jeff trike, The photo "Almost Down" is being conducted under controlled condisions and under instruction. At no time would this manoeuvre be attempted over trees or a lake at that altitude. We are in the process of landing. The wind was blowing from the West which means the wake is moving away from the aircraft behind me. At no time would I put a student or any other pilot is harms way. I seem to be giving the pilots on Altriker a feeling that my training photos are putting pilots at risk. Not one of the 200 student I have licenced have ever had an accident. So with is in mind I will not put any more photo on the site. I like this site and I would not like any of the other members to think I was promoting dangerous flying.
I would typically agree with Jeff, however, YFT has been trained and authorized to train in close formation flight. I think this is the beginning of a potetntially great discussion & learning opportunity. I would add the caveat that in no other situation would I think this was a good idea, but I am thrilled to learn!!! Woo hoo for both you guys.
Just an amazing shot. Thanks for clarifying about the wind direction, really good point, and makes sense. Sounds like a fantastic training opportunity you offer. I would love to cross the pond and take advantage of that one day!
Hey, YFT,
I did not to mean to sound overly critical in my comment. I just was pointing out that if you are going to fly formation, try it the other way with the lead trike below the pursuit trike. It is a lot less stressfull for the pursuit trike.
My comment about formation flying in a tree lined riverbed is relevant to me, cause I do this sort of flying all the time, and when I am in the rear, I make sure I am above the lead trike.
From what I understand YFT is a licensed formation instructor, a nearly one-of-a-kind thing in trikes. I'm glad you're asking these questions Jeff, because we have the chance hopefully to get a glimpse behind the curtain.
I now that I don't understand it, but what I'm seeing is it IS somehow possible. I'm hoping that NOBODY TRIES this and YFT may be nervous about discussing some for that reason, but because of this new site, suddenly we have attracted a potential gold mine of wisdom-- very cool. I want to say that I've regarded Jeff-Trike as one of the extremely experienced pilots in what he does, and videos that are world-class. To be able to come on here and experience an international sharing of the wealth brought to the table is just too cool.
I know I chatted with YFT and told him I don't like formation flying personally- because I want to look at what I'm flying over and not the other guy's wing (or whatever part you focus on). HOWEVER, I didn't know there was this kind of instruction out there-- and THAT does interest me greatly. Especially for the times I "accidentally" get in formation with someone-- where is the wake exactly, what do I do etc. As well as the discipline you have to take your flying to the next level to stay a few feet away from another pilot. I would never do this in a trike without the instructor environment (though I gaggled with hang gliders frequently). My wife at almost the same time was saying, "you should go, you should go" And I think Ken is interested too, plus all the lurkers.
Apparently, they go through the syllabus of formations one by one, and presumably more demanding ones as they progress. And this photo is of a purposeful and well executed pursuit pilot low formation- not likely on day one of training. It's fascinating, and most of us have the same questions Jeff does.
YFT must get tons of questions like this on the intro phone call and first day of class, etc. We're gonna do what? No way!
Anyway, I'm just glad you are all here and sharing. Just please, no one try this without the training- I've seen the picture, and I wouldn't. Just wow, a look behind the curtain!!!
Thank you guys, YFT, Jeff, everybody .....
Hey YFT, have you seen Jeff-Trikes videos? Wow, they are mind blowing-- many are stunningly meditative, all in the desert South West and most set to Native American music. Jeff, can you post more over here PLEASE? ; )
To All who are placing comments about YFT Formation training. This training is not for everyone. In fact the people who come to me to do the 20 hour formation training and get their federal endorsement have to answer a number of question before they are signed on. I have 12000 hours in Recreational aircraft and more in GA and military aircraft. The candiate for this type of flying must have very good situational awareness. Over here I have to make sure that a pilot has the right attitude for the endorsement before the training starts or the endorsement will be knocked back by the regulator.
12,000 hours--- Awesome!
Here's something else that's really neat, if you haven't seen it before, prepare for a flight into Nirvana
or click HERE
(I'd post it in the video section myself, but it wouldn't seem right being listed as "XCT's video")
That one of my favorite flights, down the upper stretch of the Rio Grande.
The type of formation flying I do is not the air show variety, for an audience on the ground. The audience is only one person, myself following another trike. The scenery is beautiful, and seeing another trike dancing ahead of you makes it even better.
I have a couple formation flights on YouTube, here is another of my favorites.