Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences › Physical Sciences
This course equips pilots with the advanced skills and knowledge required to conduct close formation flying safely and effectively. It covers the principles of formation flight, communication protocols, emergency procedures, and adherence to aviation regulations. By the end, pilots will be able to execute precise formation maneuvers while maintaining situational awareness and minimizing risk.
This course is designed for licensed pilots who wish to specialize in close formation flying, particularly those involved in air shows, military operations, or aerial display teams. It is also suitable for flight instructors seeking to add formation flying training to their repertoire.
Valid pilot license (minimum Private Pilot License or equivalent) and a minimum of 200 hours total flight time. Prior experience in basic formation flight is recommended but not required.
Objectives:
• Understand the principles and history of close formation flying
• Identify safety considerations and risks
• Recognise the roles and responsibilities of formation pilots
• Learn standard formation terminology and hand signals
• Understand the legal and regulatory framework
Topics:
• Definition and types of formation flying
• Historical context and operational relevance
• Safety culture and risk management
• Pilot roles: Lead, Wingman, Slot
• Standard communication protocols and hand signals
• Regulatory requirements (SA CAA, ICAO)
• Human factors: spatial awareness, fatigue, stress
Objectives:
• Explain the aerodynamic effects of flying in close proximity
• Describe wake turbulence and its hazards
• Calculate aircraft performance parameters for formation flight
• Understand weight and balance considerations
• Apply energy management principles
Topics:
• Aerodynamics of formation flight: induced drag, lift distribution
• Wake turbulence: vortex generation and avoidance
• Aircraft performance: power settings, fuel consumption
• Weight and balance for formation configurations
• Energy management: airspeed, altitude, and configuration changes
• Effects of weather on formation performance
Objectives:
• Identify standard formation positions (echelon, line abreast, trail)
• Describe the geometry and visual references for each position
• Understand the principles of station-keeping
• Recognise common position errors and corrections
• Apply techniques for smooth position changes
Topics:
• Formation positions: echelon left/right, line abreast, trail
• Visual references: wingtip, canopy, engine cowling
• Station-keeping: maintaining position relative to Lead
• Common errors: over/under correction, drifting
• Position changes: cross-unders, echelon turns
• Use of aircraft lights and markings
Objectives:
• Master formation radio communication phraseology
• Develop standard cockpit procedures for formation flight
• Practice effective crew resource management (CRM)
• Understand brevity codes and non-verbal signals
• Implement emergency communication protocols
Topics:
• Radio phraseology: callsigns, commands, acknowledgements
• Standard cockpit procedures: checklists, briefings
• CRM: decision-making, workload management, assertiveness
• Brevity codes: visual signals, hand signs, radio brevity
• Emergency communications: lost wingman, radio failure
• Post-flight debriefing techniques
Objectives:
• Describe formation takeoff procedures (simultaneous, interval)
• Explain joining procedures for different scenarios
• Understand separation minima during departure
• Practice visual scanning and collision avoidance
• Manage contingencies during takeoff and join-up
Topics:
• Formation takeoff: line abreast, echelon, interval
• Joining procedures: from behind, from above/below
• Departure procedures: timing, routing, separation
• Visual scanning techniques for formation flight
• Collision avoidance: see-and-avoid, TCAS limitations
• Contingencies: abort, wave-off, rejoin
Objectives:
• Execute basic formation manoeuvres (turns, climbs, descents)
• Perform formation navigation using visual and instrument references
• Understand crosswind and drift compensation
• Practice fuel management and endurance calculations
• Apply formation tactics for operational scenarios
Topics:
• Basic manoeuvres: level turns, climbing turns, descending turns
• Formation navigation: pilotage, dead reckoning, GPS
• Crosswind compensation: crabbing, wing-down method
• Fuel management: crossfeed, endurance planning
• Operational tactics: trail formation for navigation
• Emergency procedures: lost wingman, diversion
Objectives:
• Demonstrate advanced formation positions (fighting wing, combat spread)
• Perform formation aerobatics (loops, rolls) safely
• Execute formation instrument approaches
• Understand night and weather formation considerations
• Apply formation discipline in complex environments
Topics:
• Advanced positions: fighting wing, combat spread, fluid four
• Formation aerobatics: loop, roll, Immelmann turn
• Instrument approaches: ILS, VOR in formation
• Night formation: lighting, black-hole effect, illusions
• Weather: cloud avoidance, turbulence, icing
• High-density altitude operations
Objectives:
• Identify and respond to in-flight emergencies in formation
• Execute lost wingman procedures
• Manage aircraft malfunctions while maintaining formation integrity
• Perform emergency landing and egress procedures
• Conduct post-emergency debriefing
Topics:
• In-flight emergencies: engine failure, fire, system failures
• Lost wingman: procedures, radio calls, rejoin
• Aircraft malfunctions: partial panel, hydraulic failure
• Emergency landing: formation landing, separation
• Egress procedures: bailout, ditching
• Post-emergency debriefing and CRM review
Objectives:
• Integrate all formation skills in a simulated mission scenario
• Demonstrate proficiency in formation takeoff, manoeuvres, and landing
• Apply emergency procedures under realistic conditions
• Conduct a thorough post-flight debrief and critique
• Complete a written exam on formation theory and regulations
Topics:
• Mission planning and briefing
• Simulated formation mission with multiple phases
• Emergency scenario injection
• Formation landing and taxi
• Debrief and performance evaluation
• Written examination (closed book)
• Course review and feedback
Practical sessions provide hands-on experience in close formation flying under the supervision of qualified instructors. Learners will practice formation positions, manoeuvres, and emergency procedures in a controlled environment, building proficiency and confidence.
Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course via daily exercises, scored practical assignments, and a final summative test at the end.
Practical assignments are observed and scored against a rubric during the practical sessions. Each delegate's practical mark is averaged into a single 100% score and contributes 30% to the final total.
Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 20% to the final total.
On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 50% to the overall mark.
| Component | Out of | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Practical Assignments (rubric-scored) | 100% | 30% |
| Daily Average (multiple choice) | 100% | 20% |
| Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) | 100% | 50% |
| Final Total | — | 100% |
All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.
Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.
Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.
| Delegates | Discount |
|---|---|
| 5 | 3% off |
| 10 | 6% off |
| 15 | 9% off |
| 20 | 12% off |
| 25 | 15% off |
| 30 | 18% off |
| 50 | 30% off |
| 75 | 35% off |
| 100 | 40% off |
3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.
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