Ideas for Lilydale Formations Team

Standardised Briefing Checklist

This would make sure that briefings followed a consistent path that made sure nothing was left out. There are many things that can be the same for nearly every flight we do, so standardising the briefings would cut down the time and stop questions being asked because something was missed. We could create standard briefing forms for both the briefer and the team.

Airboss as well as Lead

We actually do this anyway, so to formalise it would remove some confusion. Airboss is the boss of the formation and would be someone very experienced such as Jock or Murray. The Airboss would decide who flies what position and what sequence is to be flown. Then they would hand over to the Lead, who would conduct the briefing and lead the formation. The Airboss would take whatever position in the formation they think would be necessary. In the absence of anyone senior enough to be Airboss, the Lead would take the Airboss' role on as well as their own, but, naturally, would fly only Number One. I think this would eliminate confusion such as we saw on Anzac Day when the Lead didn't brief, Murray did, although he was not leading the formation.

Defined Formation Names

This would be a list of the formations that we fly and the names of the formations. This needs to be standardised because we have demonstrated several times that team members have different understanding of what terms mean. "Delta" has been used for a diamond shape and "big Vic with one in the box" has been used for a triangle, which is actually a Delta. Let's define it and settle it once and for all with a sheet showing the formation and the name. The same can be said for other terms. How often have we had to clarify "stream landing"? It should mean the same to everyone every time it is spoken.

Standard Start Procedures

This need sorting out or we can find ourselves sitting there with the batteries on waiting for the leader to check in when the leader is a couple of minutes away. There have been two instances that have come to mind when this has happened: once when the leader forgot their headset and had to go to the carpark to get it and another when all were ready to go except for one who hadn't actually pre-flighted their aircraft. It is rare for us to get all the planes lined up so we can see each other, so hand signals won't work often. My preference has always been to stand out the front and move to the plans at once (the Le Mans start) because it is simple and works flawlessly. We know once we are strapped in that the leader will be ready to go as will everyone else, unless there is a problem.

Standard Arrival Procedures

Style and timing for joining the circuit should always be the same. I suggest an upwind pitch into the circuit with two seconds between breaks and a line-astern downwind changing to whatever landing pattern has been briefed on base or final (Airboss to decide). It worked so well the last time we tried it, and it mimics a military arrival except for the formation landing. They do it that way for a reason.

Team Name

We can't be Eagle formation again because that name is used by Royal Vic. We should have our own identity that associates us only with Lilydale Airport and Lilydale Flying Club. The name should always be the same, so there is no need in each briefing to ask the question "what are we going to call ourselves?" In the past there have been many names including the make of aircraft the leader is flying. We've been Cessna formation, Piper formation, Mango formation, Wedgetail formation and (quite unsuccessfully) Toucan formation among several. My preference has always been Wedgetail formation, but only because of the LFC symbol. The team name probably shouldn't be something that makes people think we are a daredevil formation team, like The Screaming Propellers or anything else as wanky. Sticking with the bird motif is good, but I am concerned that if we use something other than Wedgetail it may invite confusion with the club logo. Here are some thoughts.

The Miracles ("Miracle formation ..."). Two of our members have a long association with Mirages, and the term is also a tongue-in-cheek reflection of what happens after briefing "... and then a miracle happens!"

The Grey Falcons ("Falcon formation ..."). This is an Australian native bird and also reflects on the experience of most of our team members! Possible confusion with the club logo.

The Blue Wedgetails ("Wedgetail formation ..."). No need to explain. Very strong ties to LFC and the airport thanks to the presence of these birds on downwind.

The Renegades ("Renegade formation ..."). A bit dramatic, perhaps, but someone should use this name for a formation team!

The Rangers ("Ranger formation ..."). Homage to the mountains to the west of the airfield. Perhaps expanded to The Bushrangers.

The Steel Parrots ("Parrot formation ..."). This one plays on the Plastic Parrot name of the CT-4 and also Australia has native parrots such as King Parrots, cockatoos, galahs, rosellas and lorikeets.

The Flying Foxes ("Fox formation ...").Southern Victoria has large colonies of grey-headed flying foxes, so it's an appropriate name. Another tongue-in-cheek reference to the experience of the team members.

My thoughts: 1. Blue Wedgetails. 2. Flying Foxes. 3. Grey Falcons

Uniforms?

This has been brought up a couple of times, with team members thinking about flight suits. I am ambivalent about this. Flight suits are very military and we are definitely a civil aviation team. I am not against a uniform, but think embroidered shirts would be better and probably suit most team members.