Control formation flights as a single aircraft. Separation responsibility between aircraft within the formation
rests with 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
during join-up and breakaway.
FAA Order JO 7610.4, Chapter 12, Section 11. Formation Flight ICAO Annex 2, 3.1.8 Formation Flights
Support formation flight join-up for two aircraft when all of the following occur:
Requested by any participating pilot.
All participating pilots concur.
Either of the participating pilots reports the other/s in sight.
EXAMPLE
“ROOK01 has EAGLE03 in sight, request formation join-up with EAGLE03 at flight level two zero zero. EAGLE03
will be the lead.”
“EAGLE03 verify requesting flight join-up with ROOK01.”
If affirmative:
“ROOK01 climb and maintain flight level two zero zero. Report (advise) when formation join-up is complete.”
If multiple single aircraft request to join-up, multiple formations are joining as one, or aircraft are joining an
established formation, obtain confirmation of required items listed in subparagraph 2-1-13a, from the lead
aircraft.
After join-up, aircraft beacon code assignment will be determined by formation type.
For a standard formation only the aircraft acting as the lead will squawk an ATC assigned beacon code. Ensure
all other aircraft squawk standby.
For a nonstandard formation, each aircraft should squawk an ATC assigned beacon code. Controller discretion
allows aircraft in a nonstandard formation to squawk standby if operationally advantageous.
REFERENCE
FAA Order JO 7610.4, Paragraph 12-11-6, Nonstandard Formation Tactics, subparagraph b3
EXAMPLE
“N123JP squawk standby.”
Or
“N123SP have N123JP squawk standby.”
When formation break-up is requested, issue control instructions and/or clearances which will result in approved
separation through the lead or directly to the requesting aircraft in the formation.
EXAMPLE
“N5871S requesting flight break-up with N731K. N731K is changing destination to PHL.”
“Center, BAMA21. BAMA23 is requesting to RTB.”
“BAMA21 have BAMA23 squawk 5544, descend and maintain flight level one-niner-zero and change to my frequency.”
“Center, BAMA21. BAMA23 is requesting to RTB.”
“BAMA23 squawk 5544. BAMA23 Radar contact (position if required). Cleared to SSC via direct. Descend and
maintain flight level one-niner-zero.”
Military and civil formation flights in RVSM airspace.
Utilize RVSM separation standards for a formation flight, which consists of all RVSM approved aircraft.
Utilize non-RVSM separation standards for a formation flight at or above FL 290, which does not consist of all
RVSM approved aircraft.
If aircraft are requesting to form a formation flight to FL 290 or above, the controller who issues the
clearance creating the formation flight is responsible for ensuring that the proper equipment suffix is
entered for the lead aircraft.
If the flight departs as a formation, and is requesting FL 290 or above, the first center sector must ensure
that the proper equipment suffix is entered.
If the formation flight is below FL 290 and later requests FL 290 or above, the controller receiving the RVSM
altitude request must ensure the proper equipment suffix is entered.
Upon break-up of the formation flight, the controller initiating the break-up must ensure that all aircraft or
flights are assigned their proper equipment suffix.
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