BONANZAS TO OSHKOSH

Texas Advanced Formation Clinic

Note: The information for the TX 2-day clinic is at: TX-mini Clinic

NORTH TEXAS REGIONAL / PERRIN FIELD, TX (GYI)
Serman/Dennison, Texas

Dates: May 24-27, 2012

Registration deadline is May 1.  Refunds will be given for cancellations received by Jim Averett by May 1, 2011

Host: Jim Averett
3083 Aviation Loop
Fredericksburg, TX 78624
(H) 830-990-2463 (best number)
(C) 830-459-4321

Introduction: We need to avoid asking our seasoned pilots to travel sometimes great distances only to be a safety pilot for much of their time at Grayson.  Therefore, the clinic is open only to highly proficient 2 ship pilots, pilots with significant 4 ship experience and FFI card holders. Qualified 2 ship formation pilots must receive a recommendation from an FFI card holder that they have the skills to safely accomplish the following:

• Formation briefing
• Startup and taxi procedures
• Element takeoff
• Station keeping in fingertip, route, trail and echelon
• Two-ship rejoins
• Formation changes to include cross-unders
• Recovery to airport
• Formation landings

In addition to the flying qualifications mentioned above, each pilot must provide a copy of the face page of their insurance showing the dates and airplane covered. Each pilot is considered PIC and solely responsible for the safe operation of the airplane whether there is a safety pilot or not in the formation or in his/her airplane.  Safety pilots will be available for the first day only.

For those completing the full 3 ½ days training, a completion certificate will be awarded qualifying you for 60 of the 100 points required to achieve the Master Aviator award from the American Bonanza Society.

North Texas Regional/Perrin Field (Sherman-Dennison) KGYI (903-786-2904).  Check in at Lake Texoma Jet Center FBO on the northeast corner of the field. Bring extra-long tie-down ropes.

Registration Fees: $75.00 per person.  This will cover all lunches and a social hour each day after flying.  Most dinners will also be provided.

Click here for a copy of the Registration Form

Click here for list of registrants.

Facilities: Controlled field, former military base with major 9000' x 150'  runway and short narrow crosswind runway.  Parking is ample, but aircraft need extra long tie-downs (tie down rings spaced for large military planes). Lower fuel prices available at self-service pump.

Lake Texoma Jet Center can deliver vehicles from Enterprise to the airport on Friday afternoon and pick up the cars on Sunday. Call Libby at 903-786-2666 and ask for the Bonanza Formation Clinic Rate. Daily rates are $44.99 for a compact and $46.99 for intermediate. Should anyone wish to pick up the cars directly from Enterprise (not on the field), they can call directly at 903-870-004 but you will have to arrange for pick up and drop off. A list of attendees will be posted on this website to facilitate your arranging shared rentals if you desire.

Registrants are posted on the web so you may find someone to share a car if you wish.

Most attendees will arrive on May 23 for a social dinner and to be ready for a mandatory briefing at 0800 on May 24th. If you are flying in on May 24 you must be present for the mandatory briefing.

The purpose of the Clinic is to give Bonanza Pilots truly interested in Formation Flying the tools to fly formation safely and become skilled formation pilots through practice.  The Clinic is limited to those that can and will complete the full course.  It is expected this cadre of skilled Bonanza Formation Pilots will hold Mini 2 Day Bonanza Formation Clinics throughout the world to share their Bonanza Formation skills with their fellow Bonanza Pilots.

For those wanting only a two day Mini Clinic, or those needing additional practice, there will be a Mini-clinic at GYI plus basic clinics throughout the country.

Pilots should plan to participate immediately in four-ship formation with fingertip, echelon, diamond, close and extended trail, break/rejoin, lazy-eights, overhead break to trail landing and formation landing.  Plan on flying four flights each day beginning Thursday.  Friday/Saturday will be practice and evaluation for FFI cards for those that desire. The course will finish with a large formation briefing and flight on Sunday morning.

The T-34 Formation Flight Manual is required for participation in this clinic.  This manual provides basic information about formation flying and standardized hand signals. The Bonanza Specific Addendum should be printed out and incorporated to your T-34 manual.

All participating should print out the Waiver and send it with the application.  All participants desiring to progress to FFI rating must print out and have thoroughly read the FFI Program Manual.  The Wing Evaluation Form and Lead Evaluation Form are also listed.  Even if not seeking the FFI card, the manual should be studied in preparation for the Texas formation clinic - it details the standards to which we will be training.

The schedule is flexible so the training can fit what the group desires as the clinic progresses.