On Oct 3, 9:55 pm, Frank wrote:
Just curious as to the current situation regarding team flying in U.S.
competions, especially in view of the decided disadvantage U.S. pilots
appear to suffer in world competitions due to lack of team flying
experience.

My understanding is that premeditated team flying is still completely
verbotten in the U.S. - have I missed anything? I can only find one
reference to team flying in the rules. From the 2007 SSA National
Rules:

"10.7.2.7 Relaying of information between aircraft for any reason
other than safety is prohibited. This specifically forbids team
flying."

TIA,

Frank (TA).

You can't share info on the radio as decribed. That said enforcing a
rule about being in close proximity
for long periods of time would be completely unworkable. How do you
discriminate between team flying and
agressive leaching?
We all team up on sometimes with somebody else informally to do better
against the fleet. Some are very good at working with others, even
without the radio. I have taught the techniques of this to quite a few
folks going to WGC, especially Juniors. Effective team flying can
happen without the radio, It's just easier with it.
Darrell Waltrip, the Nascar star has a perfect term for this -
Coopetition!