BeechTalk - BT - Photos of the competition--Cirruses in Formation

Username Protected · **Posted:** 12 Jan 2009, 14:26

I flew my Extra 300L as the photo ship for a formation clinic for some Cirrus pilots last weekend.

Here are some pictures from Sunday's flight around Hoover Dam, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. We were based out of Boulder City, NV (61B). All photos by Pat DuLaney, spouse of the flight lead. Each Cirrus had an experienced ex-military IP in the right seat.

And--spoiler alert--not all of the airplanes in the pictures are Cirruses. We had a special guest, and after I broke off from the 4-ship, I joined him for an aerial pas de deux.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 12 Jan 2009, 14:40

Great shots, Bruce.

Thanks for sharing!! :thumbup:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 12 Jan 2009, 17:50

Those photos remind me of the scene in "Gold Finger" when %#$@# Galore's flying circus released the gas over Ft. Knox.

Unfortunately I could not find the image I was looking for or the 4 Cherokees in formation... YAY! Product placement in Movies!

Username Protected · **Posted:** 12 Jan 2009, 17:53

One Question about flying in formation with the mustang.... Does he have to have partial flaps in for you to keep up with him, or is that so that the cirri could keep up? or what?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 12 Jan 2009, 17:53

Let's hope nobody at TSA remembers the Bond movie. :pullhair:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 12 Jan 2009, 19:14

Username Protected wrote:

One Question about flying in formation with the mustang.... Does he have to have partial flaps in for you to keep up with him, or is that so that the cirri could keep up? or what?

On the initial join with me, he had the flaps down because I was at around 120 knots for working with the Cirruses. You'll notice that after I gave him the lead, he cleaned up and we flew along at about 150 knots.