Formation Flights

atcechob Rookie Warrenton, va

Ok, here's the question: Are civilian aircraft allowed to participate in formation (IFR) flight? I say no, but my friend is saying yes. I can't find anywhere in the 7110 that supports civilian formation flight, and there is nothing in the AIM about formation flights, except in the PCG. Thoughts?

atcguruaf Rico Suave AZ

yes. Civilian aircraft ARE allowed to participate in formation flight. Although there are no examples of civilian flights, there is nothing prohibiting civilian aircraft from forming up.

atcbrownie Trusted Member Warrenton Va

it is used a lot during SAR missions

atcechob Rookie Warrenton, va

SAR, like military SAR? Such as MARSA?

xxDYxx Rookie Florida (KPAM)

Havent you heard of CARSA...?!? Really though, I see it all the time with c172's and such in and out of Fun in Sun. Not much help I know, but I just wanted to say I've seen it a few times.

atcguruaf Rico Suave AZ

back to the original post. yes. Civilian aircraft ARE allowed to participate in formation flight. Although there are no examples of civilian flights, there is nothing prohibiting civilian aircraft from forming up.

Unmanedpilot Rookie Mesa, Az

I see 2 extra 300's take off and fly around in formation every week out of Phoenix-Mesa, so I would assume its legal.

MikeATC Retired FAA, NATCA Member Nashville TN

And to add to what is already posted, you handle them just like you would a military formation flight, except watch out for the unexpected! GA formations flights tend to do the unexpected.

mills3ff Junior Member Port Orange

It's all in the FARs
FAR Part 91 Sec. 91.111 effective as of 09/30/1963
Operating near other aircraft.

(a) No person may operate an aircraft so close to another aircraft as to create a collision hazard.
(b) No person may operate an aircraft in formation flight except by arrangement with the pilot in command of each aircraft in the formation.
(c) No person may operate an aircraft, carrying passengers for hire, in formation flight.


Yes you may fly in formation. I have done so as a pilot. ATC refers to you as "flight of 2, 3, 4 etc" depending on how many aircraft are in the formation.

The original question was can you fly IFR in formation? Just how do you propose to do that? If it's VFR I can adhere to the FAR 91.111, but IFR how am I supposed to not create a collision hazard if I can not see the aircraft that I'm formed up on.

atcguruaf Rico Suave AZ

According to your statement, there's nothing in there that states you cannot under IFR conditions. Also, just because the aircraft is IFR doesn't necessarily mean it's not VFR weather. If you're holding hands and can't see the aircraft next to you, the pilots would break formation and become their own individual aircraft, no longer a flight. The only example I have of this is the military. Although flights were routine, they were also routinely broken up if there were too many clouds. Also, here's the definition of a formation flight.

FORMATION FLIGHT- More than one aircraft which, by prior arrangement between the pilots, operate as a single aircraft with regard to navigation and position reporting. Separation between aircraft within the formation is the responsibility of the flight leader and the pilots of the other aircraft in the flight. This includes transition periods when aircraft within the formation are maneuvering to attain separation from each other to effect individual control and during join-up and breakaway.

a. A standard formation is one in which a proximity of no more than 1 mile laterally or longitudinally and within 100 feet vertically from the flight leader is maintained by each wingman.

b. Nonstandard formations are those operating under any of the following conditions:

1. When the flight leader has requested and ATC has approved other than standard formation dimensions.

2. When operating within an authorized altitude reservation (ALTRV) or under the provisions of a letter of agreement.

3. When the operations are conducted in airspace specifically designed for a special activity.

If you can't see the flight lead, you break off formation. It happens all the time when pilots encounter bad weather. Or, in lieu of braking formation, pilots will sometimes request to become a nonstandard flight.

In any case, YES civilian aircraft are allowed to fly in formation, IFR, VFR, IMC, VMC, and any other condition that you can think of, given that they all agree to fly in formation.