By definition, formation flights occupy more airspace than individual flights and might therefore require greater than standard separation. Controllers need to be aware of the presence of a formation.
IFATCA Policy is:The word ‘formation’ shall be used in the radio callsign of a formation flight at least once, on first contact with each ATC frequency. If conditions are such that the aircraft of the formation are unable to maintain separation within controlled airspace from each other, the formation leader will inform the controlling authority. The formation leader is responsible for separation between aircraft comprising the formation until standard separation has been achieved. |
| See: WP 91 – Port of Spain 1991
See also: WP 96 – Kaohsiung 2006 |
Last Update: September 29, 2020
November 3, 2019 422 Jean-Francois Lepage SEP