"jsmith" wrote in message
...
Okay, maybe useless is the wrong word.
Grossly inadequate is more descriptive.
The manual by itself is too basic and leaves out too much really important
information.
If you can get your hands on the US Navy T-34C manual, you will have
something practical.

You miss the entire point. The objective in creating a SAFE formation
program for use by civilians was SIMPLICITY, exactly the aspect of this
program you seem to be having a problem with.
The T34 formation program was designed specifically to be used by pilots
without military training....the average Joe so to speak. In this respect,
simplicity was job one!
The last thing you want in a formation program for GA pilots is more
information than is actually needed to keep everyone safe. By keeping the
suggested formations to a select few, and making movement between them
simple and consistent, the T34 Manual serves a very useful purpose.
A lot of thought by some of the world's leading pilots went into the
development of the T34 Formation program, and the proof of it's worth is
it's extensive and almost exclusive use in the aviation community.
No one will argue with you that the military programs are more extensive and
complete, but extensive isn't the key word when dealing with civilian
pilots....SAFETY is the word.
As I said, pilots like Bob Hoover have signed off on the program as written,
and in fact have taken an active part in promoting it. In fact, it was the
input of pilots like Hoover that dictated the safest procedure for civilian
pilots should reflect EXACTLY what is found in the T34 Formation Manual.
Hell, I have right here with me staring me in the puss on the shelf, some of
the most extensive formation training material ever printed; Air Force;
Navy; Naval Test Pilot school; Empire Test Pilot School; you name it, I have
it!! Believe me, I would not want to take a bunch of civilians in dissimilar
aircraft and put them together in formation using these advanced techniques.
They're WAY too complex for civilians.
I've flown fighting wing with a hard turning lead without having to go in
trail. I've flown loose duce in a dissimilar pair. I've flown formation with
the Canadian Snowbirds; but when it comes to flying in formation with
general aviation pilots, trust me, I'm much more comfortable with these guys
having been taught how to fly a strong right fingertip four the right way,
than I would be with the same bunch being trained in ALL phases of formation
procedure.
When it comes to civilian pilots and formation flying, especially when
dissimilar aircraft are involved, SIMPLICITY beats Complexity for general
safety every time!!
Dudley Henriques
International Fighter Pilots Fellowship
Commercial Pilot; CFI; Retired
dhenriquestrashatearthlinktrashdotnet
(take out the trash :-)