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Wing Pilot Training  


Wing Pilot Qualification Requirements


· Private pilot certificate (or non-US equivalent)
· 350 hours total time (250 hours with a Commercial certificate)
· Complete a formal formation ground school conducted by an FAA recognized formation organization
· Current member of the RPA
· Complete a practical test recommendation ride and signoff by a current Lead/Check Pilot
· Successfully complete practical exam and oral exam given by a current RPA Check Pilot


    



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. The applicant shall be evaluated in the #2 and #4 positions for the practical test (separate flights are not required—the flight can be reconfigured to accomplish the evaluation).
  3.  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).
  4. The recommending pilot will use the applicable FAST practical test guide (PTG) and the RPA/FAST recommendation form to evaluate the candidate pilot.
  5. A recommending pilot shall not give a recommendation evaluation ride to more than one candidate at a time.
  6. 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. The applicant shall be evaluated in the #2 and #4 positions for the practical test (separate flights are not required—the flight can be reconfigured to accomplish the evaluation).
  3.  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.).
  4. The Check pilot will use the applicable FAST practical test guide (PTG) and the RPA/FAST Check Ride form to evaluate the candidate pilot.
  5. A Check pilot shall not give a check ride to more than one candidate at a time.
  6. The Check 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 evaluating pilot then the evaluating pilot may ride in another aircraft but must be in the flight of 4. 
 
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.