As a guess, I would say that both have to, even if it is a military airfield. But. If they were both side by side on a runway and ready for takeoff, at a military airfield, only the lead aircraft might need to contact ATC. At a civilian airfield, I doubt they would be able to takeoff together, except at an airshow, where different rules would apply.

As I said, that's just my guess. Maybe a former airforce pilot can set you (and me) straight on this matter.

Mark

Thanks Lou

Mark, it is pretty logical.

If you have a flight of two, only the lead plane need communicate with ATC,
since the two planes fly in formation - what one does the other does.
It would be very bad if both pilots talked to ATC and tie up the frequency.
Both pilots are listening to the same ATC so it is not a problem.

When I had the AT-6 we did a lot of formation flying, sometimes five or six
planes in the group, or as it is called "gaggle."
The lead plane does all the comm work and leads the pack.



In close formation flying there is no time to look around. You are focused
on the plane in front of you and to your side. There is generally no talk by the pilots and
only the lead pilot gives instructions via hand or head signals.
It is really important that the lead pilot keep a constant speed and not make
any abrupt maneuvers.

Once in the formation, you can settle down and just keep the plane you are following
in a certain position. When I flew the AT-6 we would line up the wing tip to the tail wheel of the
plane we were using as our focus plane. We would sometimes fly for an hour or more like that
in very close formation and it would be a comfortable ride. All I would do is keep the plane I was
following in the same position using very small movements of the throttle and small rudder inputs
to keep position. In the photo below, you can see the second T-6 has a slight yaw as he
corrects his position.



For takeoff, the lead would roll and the number two several seconds later and so on. This would give you
some room in case of engine failure. After takeoff the group would form-up and off we would go.
In flight if an engine would fail on a plane in the front of the formation, the pilot of that plane
would just add back pressure and hold altitude as the plane slipped back in the formation.
Once clear of the pack, the pilot would do what ever he needed to either restart the engine or
look for a place to land. On landing in formation, the last plane would touch down first and announce.
SIX DOWN, then a second or two later, FIVE DOWN, etc. This would prevent the planes running into each
other as the first plane to land was in the back of the formation.

It was great fun flying in formation. We all had a smoke system and is a formation pass it really looked good!

Lou


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LloydC130 asked: One other minor question, what would the lead aircraft say when referring to the "gaggle"? i.e. how would you request taxi clearance for the entire group?

Lloyd,

Something like this...

XYZ tower, this is Cessna 3456B - flight of three - taxi VFR south bound with information Victor.

Cessna 3456B, taix to runway 33 via alpha and hotel, hold short of runway 22.

Thanks again Lou