Jump to content

Formation Take Offs


Invisibull

Recommended Posts

Could anyone in a position to know tell me if USAF Vipers do formations take offs currently?  I had heard they'd shelved them due to safety concerns.  Is this still the case? 

i9 9900k - GTX 2080 Ti - MSI Z87 GD65 Mobo - 64GB HyperX Predator RGB DDR4 3200MHz - Win10 64 bit - TM Warthog w FSSB R3 mod - TrackIr 5.

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Interval takeoffs are the most common.  I base this on watching fighters take off in front of me for coronets and exercises.  Interval takeoffs get them off the ground quicker as opposed to lining everyone up on the runway, running up their engines, and releasing brakes.  Other fighters do that, too.  AF stopped fingertip landings (in training at least) due to a mishap in late 2019.  

 

Edit: this isn't to say that fingertip takeoffs aren't allowed.  I don't know if they are or aren't; you'd have to ask an actual F-16 guy, or maybe a tail-spotter from near an F-16 base.


Edited by Chain_1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 hours ago, Xavven said:

Yes, they do formation take offs, or yes, they shelved them due to safety concerns? Sorry, just want to erase any doubts!

Yea, sorry for the vague response.  Normal ops do not allow for formation take-offs.  It was quite common back in the day once a pilot had passed a certain number of hours/takeoffs, but it's not done anymore unless special circumstances like an airshow.  Safety was the primary concern for normal ops.  It's not required other than to show it can be done, with a lot of risk for very little operational gain.  Even with experienced pilots at the controls it's not allowed for normal day to day ops.

 

  • Like 3
  • Thanks 1

"It's amazing, even at the Formula 1 level how many drivers still think the brakes are for slowing the car down."

 

VF-2 Bounty Hunters



[sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]

Virtual Carrier Strike Group 1 | Discord

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 8/22/2021 at 10:30 PM, Scrape said:

Yea, sorry for the vague response.  Normal ops do not allow for formation take-offs.  It was quite common back in the day once a pilot had passed a certain number of hours/takeoffs, but it's not done anymore unless special circumstances like an airshow.  Safety was the primary concern for normal ops.  It's not required other than to show it can be done, with a lot of risk for very little operational gain.  Even with experienced pilots at the controls it's not allowed for normal day to day ops.

 

But I guess Thunderbirds stil do formation takeoffs and landings right?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...