Martinsburg Spring Formation Flying Clinic

Who’s Going:

Location:  Eastern WV Regional/Shepherd Field/Martinsburg ANGB (KMRB), Martinsburg, WV

Host:  John Zazworsky, johnzaz83@gmail.com, 717-805-8234

Objectives:  The primary objective of this clinic is to prepare new or inexperienced formation pilots for participation in B2OSH, and to refresh B2OSH veterans for this year’s flight.  New formation pilots will initially fly with safety pilots.  The clinic will focus on 2-ship basics:  formation takeoff, fingertip station-keeping, route formation, cross-unders, and formation landing.  We will fly a B2OSH Mass Formation simulation flight as part of the B2OSH preparation.  By the end of the clinic, pilots should be qualified to participate as B2OSH wingmen.  This clinic does not plan any  4-ship flying; however, we welcome experienced formation pilots to help as safety pilots!

FBO: MRB Aviation, 304-262-2507 (flymrb.com), is a full-service FBO and will provide full-service refueling at discounted prices.  

Facilities:  Runway 08/26 is 8815 x 150.  The tower has handled formation clinic traffic before.  On the southeast side of the runway is a newly renovated terminal building with parking space, conference room and the Katara’s Crosswinds Café restaurant, open 6 am – 6 pm on Thursday for breakfast and lunch and 6am-8pm on Friday and Saturday for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Accommodations:  Block room rates are arranged at Home2 Suites by Hilton (Martinsburg), which offers an FBO rate of $96.   The room block is reserved under “Martinsburg Formation”.   Book rooms using the on-line booking link:  https://bit.ly/35XE308 .  Alternately, you can call the hotel directly at 304-579-8888 and select “0” to speak directly with the front desk (vs. pressing “1” which goes to central reservations).

Transportation:   We will arrange one or more minivans according to the number of attendees; the cost will be shared by whoever uses the minivans.  Please sign up as early as possible so we can get an accurate count.  For those wishing to rent their own car, there are two options.  Enterprise will drop off/pick up rental cars at the FBO.  Make reservations through the local Enterprise office (304-264-2400).  Hertz will drop off/pick up rental cars at the FBO, but only for Hertz Gold members.  Make reservations through the local Hertz office (304-262-3600).  When setting up car rentals, make sure Enterprise/Hertz knows you are picking the vehicle up at the Martinsburg terminal building at 170 Aviation Way.  The clinic host and/or the FBO will provide transportation from the parking ramp to the FBO for rental car pick-up.

Registration:  Register on-line, review formation flying procedures, and be prepared to sign the B2OSH Practice Waiver after arrival.

Cost:  Individuals will pay for transportation, lodging, dinners (in town), and Friday and Saturday lunches (at the airport café).  Host will collect a $(TBD) fee to cover drinks and snacks, plus a collective tip for line service personnel.  Fuel costs will be one invoice per aircraft fueling and will need to be paid to the FBO on a daily basis by close of business at 7pm. 

Program & Event Details:  Those with no formation experience MUST review the “Intro to Formation” slideshow and the Bonanza addendum on the B2OSH website.  Ground School begins Thursday afternoon at 4:00 pm in the terminal briefing room.  We will have “ride-along” introduction flights first thing Friday for those with no formation experience.  Practice sessions will begin with basic 2-ship formation flights, flown with a safety pilot in the right seat.  The training includes element takeoffs, wingman station keeping, route position, cross-unders, and element landings.  As proficiency is attained, pilots will be cleared to fly solo formation, and possibly progress to intermediate maneuvers such as close trail, echelon turns, and rejoins.  By the end of the clinic, pilots should be proficient in all 2-ship B2OSH flight maneuvers.  The clinic will conclude with a simulated B2OSH mass formation flight.

Aircraft & Preparation Requirements:

Pilot:  Private Pilot License, Current Medical, Confidence + Humility, Positive Attitude!
Plane:  Dual rudder pedals, intercom, copilot PTT switch, current annual and insurance.
Self-Study:  Review FFI Formation Guide, FFI Bonanza Supplement, and Intro to Formation at https://www.b2osh.org/web/B2OSH/Pages/Training/TrainingGeneral.asp and https://www.ffi.aero.  The Formation Pilot’s Knowledge Guide, available at www.FlyFAST.org, is also an excellent comprehensive formation reference. 

Washington DC SFRA training:  https://faasafety.gov/gslac/ALC/CourseLanding.aspx?cID=405

Schedule (briefings are mandatory for all participants):

Thursday:  Early afternoon:  Arrival & check-in at terminal.  Pick up rental cars from FBO lot.
1600:  Welcome/orientation briefing at terminal, followed by ground school (mandatory for those with no previous formation experience, great refresher for anyone rusty on formation procedures).
1900:  Dinner in town.  

Friday:
0800:  Update & flying schedule briefing.  Morning introduction flights for first time formation pilots will be “ride-along” flights with an experienced formation pilot.  Proficiency flights for experienced formation pilots.  Lunch at airport café.  Afternoon proficiency flights for all pilots.
1900:  Dinner in town.

Saturday:
0800:  Update & flying schedule briefing.  Morning proficiency flights for all pilots.  Lunch at airport café.  Afternoon proficiency flights for all pilots.
1900:  Dinner in town.

Sunday:
0800:  Clinic wrap-up.
0830:  B2OSH Mass Formation briefing, flight and debriefing.
1200:  Departures.