Cheers for now.

For the first time, I was pleased to note we also had a number of spectators. I was particularly interested in what they had to say from their perspective so I invited comments from them. Apart from the compliments, which were humbly received, we did hear about problems they were having from a viewing standpoint. In addition to this it was mentioned that they did not know what to expect.

To address this issue it was agreed that Ruth M^cTighe would take on the role of commentator through TS. Details of any arrangements for the show day itself have not yet been received from Bill Casey (show organiser) but Ruth has volunteered to offer her services for then as well. Thank you Ruth for your kind offer. Well thinking about it you were more press ganged after your suggestion about having a commentator.

With regard to spectator viewing issues there are a number of solutions available. These solutions have been contributed by a number of CIX club members so it is down to the individual as to what suits them and their system best. Ruth has agreed to put a spectators brief together so we shall look out for that in due course.

A special thanks once again goes out to Mark Dring who kindly came to the rescue and sorted out our new Teamspeak connection. We attempted a practice session without TS, which unfortunately didn't go to well. The subsequent practice session was cancelled because of this. But thanks to Marks intervention we managed to get another account set up before the rehearsal and all was well again. This provided an opportunity to re-arrange the chat rooms and make use of the Channel commander facility. We now have a separate 2-4-CIX channel and sub channels set up. This has allowed us to still pass important information but reduce the amount of transmission conflicts when the formation splits into the three routines.

• Formation fly past,
• Spitfire solo,
• Syncro pair.

This was followed by the 2^nd Formation flypast.

• Room 1 to be the default room for the formation leaving the club room free for club spectators
• Flight Leader Take Off countdown call required.
• Flight Leader turn calls only required for the formation.
• Flight Leader to call passing the 1 mile marker balloon on 1^st & 2nd fly pasts, GLO please monitor this and pass info to Spit1 if missed.
• The Syncro pair should change to room 2 immediately after the 1^st formation fly past
• Spit1 to change to room 3 before commencing solo display routine. GLO to update time progress as Spit1 requires
• GLO is to acquaint himself with the commander function on TS, (Harry has volunteered to advise Nick on this. Please will you report back to me outcome of this).
• GLO to advise syncro pair the half time point of Spit1's routine and when clear of the display line.
• Once Spit1 and the syncro pair have finished their respective routine they are free to return to room 1 for pilots debrief.

Naturally any calls required by any pilot as deemed necessary should be allowed. Free chat should be kept to a minimum in particular when approaching turning points. Descent calls are no longer required.

• Before the start of a practice session he will get Vatsim's latest weather
• acertain the available runways for both Leicester and Sywell and
• ensure all pilots are advised accordingly.
• He must monitor the frequency of the airfields in use and ensure the formation is practised on all available licensed runways. (Otherwise they may be selected on the current wx conditions).
• If an ATC/AFISunit logs online during any session he will liase with them giving our intentions
• He will inform flight leaders if contact is required.
• In the absence of any ATC/AFIS unit, he will advise any local traffic conflicts of our intensions via the private chat facility.

Trying to arrange group meets for the whole team is proving impossible. One of the problems that has arisen is, depending on what day is suggested we are either down on sufficient Tigers or Chipmunks. The majority of team members have expressed a preference to fixed day group sessions. I have therefore decided to make Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings 2-4-CIX group meet days. This allows the maximum opportunity for the majority of pilots to attend a group session.

Don and Pete C kindly volunteered their services from the Tiger stable and whilst it was decided the Tiger wouldn't be suitable it was still another avenue to explore even if it meant a reduced level of display. After a few practise sessions, as previously predicted, the Tiger couldn't perform to an acceptable standard. Another suggestion put forward by Don and Pete C was to 'decamp' to the Chipmunk team or change aircraft after the first flypast. I had reservations about this due to the unpredictability of FS/Vatsim connection. It would lead to an increased risk of a lock up. The effect would be severe on the display should this occur. To 'decamp' to the Chipmunks team would leave the Tiger team seriously undermanned. Another suggestion that was thrown into the pot was to have the whole 2-4-CIX team (Spitfire solo excepted) be equipped with Chipmunks.

Whilst the Tiger team would like to remain intact (a view I myself share), there are obvious advantages for the display team as a whole. This action would strengthen the team by:

• Open the pilot base for all to be considered for the 'Synchronised pair'
• Should a pilot suffer PC/connection problems this will have less impact on the display as a whole.
• A less fragmented group practise with a lower pilot turnout
• Allow more flexibility for reserve pilot use
• Increased standardized aircraft performance
• Improved visibility for pilots reducing disorientation
• Still able to retain Peter D's paint work
• Spectators only require one aircraft colour scheme to install
• Improved spectator visual impact seeing a larger flight of same aircraft
• Sufficient time to convert to type

This was the first time both Tiger and Chip teams flew together on the formation route. Despite a few teething problems the formation performed well and with some guidance managed to complete the course in the allotted time frame, which was the main purpose of the practice session. Due to a certain lapse in memory (normally a luxury afforded to members of the over 50's club) the Tigers were thrown in at the deep end as their Flight Leader went AWOL J. Don kindly stepped in (Press ganged) to lead.

During the debrief a few suggestions were put forward:

Pete C thought it less fatiguing to fly a loose formation whilst en-route and tighten up from the FAP to 21. This sounds like a good idea as long as we don't forget that's it's still a formation. The Flight leaders will still need to fly accurately in order to keep within the time slot.

Don made the suggestion to have markers identifying the turning points for the formation route. I agreed that the balloons used for the Welsh trip would be ideal and that I'd request Pete C to see if he could make a small scenery file. No sooner had I done this Pete came up with the goods. Many thanks indeed for your prompt action to this request. The link for the download can be found in the 2-4-CIX thread.

Richard put forward a trial to find the most effective server whilst connected to Vatsim It has been decided to log on to UK1 for the next session to see if the performance improves. Over the next few sessions we may experiment a little until we can agree on the best server.

Coming into effect on the next group practice session, once the formation is airborne pilots are requested to join together in one TS room allocated by the GLO. It is hoped this will improve situational awareness.

It was agreed that the Chipmunk will be better placed to perform the aerobatic part of the display along with the Spitfire. So far we have had 2 volunteers step forward for the synchronized pair, Harry Elkins & Richard Sinclair. Many thanks for that guys. They have  begun practice on the routines required for the aerobatic sequence. I am looking for at least another two if possible. It is not too late for others to step forward. Final selection of the synchronized pair will not take place till late in the day so there is still time to perfect the skills required. Please contact me for further details.

Nick Taylor has agreed to take on the role of  'Ground Liaison Officer' (GLO).  Nick I believe is an ideal candidate for this as it does require flight monitoring and communication skills which he has demonstrated so often as a Vatsim  UK controller. Welcome to the team Nick. This leaves one more vacancy for a photographer/s. If there are any CIX members who would be interested in this role then again please contact me for details.

Below and right: Tony strutting his stuff.

After a successful Chipmunk practice session today I'm pleased to report the Chipmunks have done a fine job at progressing and are now on par with the Tigers.  Today we took off from Leicester and completed the timed route culminating in completion of the two formation Fly-pasts. 

The itinerary for Tuesday is the complete formation flight of both Tiger and Chipmunk teams followed closely by Tony's Spitfire solo I shall be coordinating timings from Sywell via TS.

Shortly I'll be requiring nominations for Flight leaders. You will need to demonstrate an ability to accurately hold a given heading, altitude, and speed. Navigate a visual cross country, this will require VFR photographic scenery. I have now received confirmation from Bill of the 'Display line' so the route for the 2^nd fly-past has now been chosen and is described after the initial arrival for the 1^st fly-past. Departing Leicester 1000ft AGL (although Deenethorpe - UK01 is closer and is under consideration) Please note Chipmunk team, the formation cruise is now set at 80kts to coincide with the Tigers. This way only one 2^nd Fly-past route is required. N.B. Timings are decimal 0.1 = 6 sec.

• After take off heading 141 deg 16.1 miles 12.1 min DCT Telford Way Industrial Estate (Northern tip), on the western boundary of Kettering.
• FAP (Final Approach Path) Turn right heading 206 deg 7 miles 5.25 min DCT Sywell. Arrive Sywell Rwy 21 threshold 100 ft QFE 998.5
• Total 25.1 miles, duration 17.35 minutes.

So what have we learnt from the day? Firstly we have organized specific aircraft types for each team member, which are as follows. John, Stephen, Richard & myself will fly the Chipmunk. Pete C, Adam, Don & Peter D will fly the Tiger Moth. Tony has elected to fly the Spitfire. I would request at this point if any member wishes to transfer aircraft type please try to make the decision soon thus enabling us to put in sufficient hours on type.

Now we have pilots organized into Chippy and Tiger teams we need to select formation flight leaders. I think it fair that, if they so desire, each pilot should take a turn at flight leader on subsequent training sessions.

It was apparent (and no surprise I hasten to add) that the flight leaders should have more flexibility in their flight path for training purposes. With this in mind our next session will take place at Sywell (EGBK). It is customary for the formation to depart from Leicester (EGBG) then route direct to Sywell. Taking into account positioning for the display line, this is a 15 minute flight in nil winds @ 112 kts. I've yet to time it in the Tiger. Perhaps the Tiger team could take the opportunity to do this. To start, both Tiger and Chip teams shall depart Leicester and practice formation. Flight leaders should decide routing appropriate to their flights progress.

Please ensure you leave enough separation and avoid any CAS. Only when the flight is happy at holding formation should you then attempt to route for Sywell. You may wish to land back at Leicester before doing so. Cruise alt should be set at 1000 ft QNH. For the display line run in this should be set for 200 ft on the QFE by the runway threshold. Ensure you allow sufficient run in to allow for the turn and descent without increasing speed or you will break formation. After the fly-past continue to hold at 'Holding point TBA. Be advised these will differ for both teams' The Spitfire solo shall depart from Sywell and continue aerobatic practice to prefect a 7 min routine.

Please keep track on the formation teams progress and listen out for their arrival to the FAP. In due course I will want to get the Spitfire to coordinate its arrival and departure time so it would be a good idea to include several arrivals to the O/H from different landmarks and make note of the times. 

In due course it will be necessary for pilots, particularly flight leaders, Synchronized pairs and solo pilots to become familiar with local landmarks paying particular attention to the following: Pitsford, Pitsford reservoir, Holcot, Overstone Park Golf course, Sywell reservoir, Walgrave. There may be more but until the flight line is confirmed I'll not know for sure.

Proposed next meet Sunday 25th Feb 10:30  Photos courtesy of John Cronan, Stephen Banks and Tony Driver.

Well I'm absolutely delighted at the initial response so far with pilots expressing their interest in joining the 2-4-CIX aerobatic team. So for team role call we have so far: Myself, Tony Driver, Peter Dodds, Peter Chapman, Don Fraser, Richard Sinclair, Steve Banks and Adam Walker. I'm sure this list will increase as time goes on.

I want to arrange the first introduction session for Sunday 18th Feb 10:30 for around 2 hrs. Please would you report for duty by 10:30. at Gloucester airfield EGBJ. I do not expect any ATC cover at this time and to be honest at this stage it's not necessary. I appreciate it would be nice to have everything as realistic as possible but we have to work within the confines of FS and online restrictions therefore please would you all ensure you have nil weather set, including winds. The vis range I would suggest in the range of 40 to 80 miles at least then the horizon will have a realistic look about it. Comms will be through TS. For those who have it, TrackIR will be of benefit.

The program for this session is to begin with formation practice and ground  observation and photo shots. I appreciate not all will be able to attend but I would ask every effort be made for this first organised event. I already know there will be some but those unable to attend, could you kindly let me know via a PM.

Spectators are most welcome.

One final note! The organizer of the Sywell Air show has an open invitation to attend any of our training sessions and has requested me to be advised when we do train. So he may turn up un announced. Lets take pride in what we do. Make CIX VFR Club stand out from the crowd and dress to impress :-)