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Flight Leader Pilot Training  
More than just being a smooth platform for other aircraft to fly off of, Lead pilots must develop many skills. The Lead pilot candidate will be trained in and evaluated on his/her overall situational awareness, briefing and debriefing skills and instructional capabilities. In particular, a Lead pilot must be proficient in recognizing deviations in the flight, being able to timely intercede for safety, critique and error-analyze wing pilot performance and give instructional tips for improvement. Lead pilots must also be trained/prepared to deal with in-flight emergencies, breakouts/lost wingman/lost comm and be evaluated on their ability to safely manage the flight and safely get the aircraft back together.
From the FAST FF&P: 

"...it is critical that there be a system to both train new formation pilots and to provide for maintaining the proficiency of all formation pilots. The lead pilots must provide this. While not required, it is desirable that a lead pilot have a background in flight training, such as a CFI, military flight lead, air carrier flight instructor, or a civil or military check airman. Lead pilots are responsible for providing additional training as required, for recommending re-certification 8 of wing pilots if necessary, and for recommending wing pilot and lead pilot applicants for flight tests." (FF&P page 7, Training, bold added).

Pilot Qualification Requirements


· Private Pilot Certificate
· 500 hours total time (350 hours for current or former CFI*, military or      airline IP)
· 30 hours logged formation time as a credentialed Wing Pilot
· Demonstrated proficiency in each position of a 4-ship
· Complete formal Lead upgrade training program
· Current member of an FAA* recognized formation organization
· Practical test recommendation by a current Lead Pilot
· Successfully complete practical test
*or non-US, country equivalent

     



Recommendation Ride Requirements:

Prior to the flight:
  1. The recommending pilot shall verify the candidate's qualifications listed above.
  2.  The recommending pilot shall verify the candidate's familiarization with the RPA formation manual including hand signals, maneuvers, bearing lines, emergency procedures, air show ops (8900), etc.
 
The Flight:
  1. A recommendation flight shall be in a 4-ship.
  2. All members of the flight shall be FAST qualified and current (With the consent of the recommending pilot, a formation qualified and current back-seat instructor pilot paired with a student can fulfill this requirement).
  3. The recommending pilot will use the applicable FAST practical test guide (PTG) and the RPA/FAST recommendation form to evaluate the candidate pilot.
  4. A recommending pilot shall not give a recommendation evaluation ride to more than one candidate at a time.
  5. The recommending pilot shall ride in the same aircraft as the pilot being evaluated.  If the candidate aircraft is a single seater or otherwise unable to accommodate the recommending pilot then the recommending pilot may ride in another aircraft but must be in the flight of 4. 
 
Post Flight:
If successfully passed, the recommending pilot shall fully and properly complete and sign the RPA/FAST Recommendation form and present it to the candidate.

Check Ride Requirements:

Prior to the flight:
The evaluating Check pilot shall review the candidate's Recommendation ride form and reverify the candidate's qualifications listed above.
 
The Flight:
  1. A check flight shall be in a 4-ship.
  2. All members of the flight shall be FAST qualified and current (with the consent of the check pilot, a formation qualified and current back-seat instructor pilot paired with a student can fulfill this requirement.
  3. The Check pilot will use the applicable FAST practical test guide (PTG) and the RPA/FAST Check Ride form to evaluate the candidate pilot.
  4. A Check pilot shall not give a check ride to more than one candidate at a time.
  5. For flight leader check rides, the check pilot can ride with the applicant or conduct the check ride from another aircraft in the flight of 4. Conducting the practical test from another aircraft is strictly at the option of the check pilot. If this option is chosen, no other training or simultaneous check rides will be conducted during the flight unless with the consent of the check pilot and if there is another instructor or check pilot paired with the other student or applicant. 
 
Oral/Written:
The Check pilot shall evaluate and verify the candidate's familiarization with the RPA formation manual including hand signals, maneuvers, bearing lines, emergency procedures, air show ops (8900), etc.

Post Flight:
If successfully passed, the Check pilot shall fully and properly complete and sign the RPA/FAST Check Ride form and present it to the candidate who will send it to the RPA Record Keeper.