An Cosantóir

34 FORMATION FLYING By Capt. Paul McDermott, Chief Flying Instructor, FTS Formation Heritage Formation flying has been a core military capability since the in- ception of military aviation. In its basic guise, it provides aircrews with enhanced tactical lookout and situational awareness as well as mutual defensive support, when compared to an aircraft operating alone in a hostile environment. It also allows the safe coordination and transit of large numbers of aircraft in inclement weather conditions. Indeed, even in modern international military aviation doctrine, countless mission scenarios are conducted with multiple similar and dissimilar aircraft operating as a team to achieve commanders' intent; troop transport in helicopters, Close Air Support and Air Interdiction, Air Defence, Air-to-Air refuelling, Combat Search and Rescue, and all of this despite the advance - ment of beyond visual range (BVR) tactics, radars and weaponry. As an aviator or aviation enthusiast alike (perhaps I'm biased!!), it is simply impossible to dislike the image and sound of aircraft flying gracefully, in close formation, acting as one larger element or giant aircraft by extension of the individual elements. It is fair to say that this was observed once formation flying became a "thing" in military aviation. Aside from the purely military and tactical functions discussed above, the idea of having a sym - metrical formation of multiple aircraft overhead an event as a spectacle, became quickly established as the norm. Squadrons of aviators who were already practiced and proficient in the skill of close formation flying could be utilised to provide an additional ceremonial and morale function. While promoting and inspiring Esprit de Corps, as well as increasing skills and standards within flying units, such flying endeavours were and still to this day used to enthuse the general public towards the military, encourage and increase recruitment potential within the military and inspire a sense of national pride in general. Indeed, most readers will be familiar with the current day, full time, aerobatic display teams of the US Air Force, US Navy, Royal Air Force and Italian Air Force to name but a few. In many countries, such an aviation display func - tion is still seen as a must have for reasons of the past, present and future – commemoration, inspiration and recruitment. Irish Beginnings Looking back over our military aviation history, since the founda- tion of the state and our national air arm, the trend has not been any different. From the adoption of best practice military aviation doctrine, the Irish Air Corps has always thought, trained and prac- ticed formation flying and this is no different in the modern era. The international realisation of the use of Air Power and airborne assets to influence morale and pride was not wasted on the Irish military or public alike. One of the earliest examples of note in an Irish context was a Flypast at the beginning of the 31st International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin, when on the 20th June 1932, the Cardinal Legate's ship was escorted into Dún Laoghaire Harbour under 6 Air Corps Avro 631 Cadets. The aircraft were skilfully flown in formation in the shape of a crucifix (see image), a challenge in a modern aircraft let alone a relatively low speed, piston engine bi-plane! I feel it is fair to say that the vast majority of iconic and most loved images of Air Corps aircraft spanning the previous 10 de - cades, are of formation flights around our iconic Irish landscape; Bristol Fighters, Lysanders, Hurricanes, Spitfires, Chipmunks, Vampires, Alouette IIIs, Dauphins all the way to the more modern and current types. It is however, one aircraft type combined with its associated pilots, technicians and support staff that will remain synonymous with the brand of Irish Military Aerobatic Display Flying during the later half of the first 100 years of the Irish Air Corps – The Irish Air Corps Aerobatic Display Team; The Silver Swallows, flying the iconic Fouga CM170 Magister. The Silver Swallows Era While the tradition of formation flying was well established in the Air Corps prior to the delivery of the Fouga Magisters in 1975, no formal display team existed. Initially, the aircraft continued the tradition of formation flypasts for ceremonial events, in addition to its advanced flying and tactical training roles, much like its The Silver Swallows No 4 around smoke Silver Swalows Fouga fourship Ramp FORMATION FLYING

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