How do we Do It
The Cherokees to OSH “mass arrival” is not an event – it’s a process. For dozens of planes to depart and arrive safely, the group must have the right safety-focused attitude and be properly trained. It requires flying in formation with other planes – something most pilots have never done. The formation flying we do is simple to learn but requires some skill development. We’re not putting on an airshow – we’re flying to one.
Our leadership has years of experience flying formation and has worked very hard to create a training process resulting in safe and confident pilots. This requires some “book work” and actual in-the-airplane training and practice. Although the group has evolved into a “family” of fliers who enjoy this type of flying, our procedures are definitely intended to enable the one-time “bucket list” trip to AirVenture to be a fun and safe event.
The process starts well before July’s AirVenture and includes a review of the presentations under Training Videos, followed by attendance at a “mini-clinic”. Only those who reach a safe level of skill, flying the CtO formation procedures, will be able to join the Mass Arrival. But don’t worry: our “pass rate” is extremely high; it is the RARE exception someone does not ultimately reach the needed level of safety to fly in the Mass Arrival.
Unlike almost anything else in aviation, formation flying is first and foremost a “team sport”, with the safety and success of the group dependent upon all team members developing and maintaining that perspective from before they arrive at the pre-flight briefing until after the debrief is complete.