Multiple Aircraft – How to make a Flight Formation

I get an awful lot of requests, both on this site, and You Tube, asking how to make videos with multiple aircraft flying in formation. It 's not easy to start with, but after some practice small formations can be achieved. Obviously the more you practice, the bigger and better, formations you can make.

First of all you will require an add-on called FsRecorder. This is a module that you must install in your flight Sim; there are two different versions, one for FS9 and one for FSX. Just Google FsRecorder to find them,  both are Freeware and installation is very easy. After installation FsRecorder can be accessed from the menu bar in both Sims.

Follow the instructions below to get started, but make sure you read my tips below before attempting you first formation.

1. Set up a flight in the sim and fly from A to B. At the start of this flight press “Record” in the recorder.
2. At the end of the flight, in Recorder, click on “Stop recording” and save your flight in the recorder. Name the flight, say, FLIGHT A.
3. Set up the same flight again. In Recorder click on “Play as traffic” and select FLIGHT A. Then immediately go back into Recorder and click on “Record”. You then fly in formation with flight A.
4. At the end of the flight, in Recorder, click on “Stop recording” and save your flight in the recorder. Name the flight, Flight B.
5. Set up the same flight again. In Recorder click on “Play as traffic” and select FLIGHT A. and FLIGHT B. Then immediately go back into Recorder and click on “Record”. You then fly in formation with FLIGHT A and FLIGHT B.

You can do this as many times as you wish to make the formations as big as you want. The instructions I have given here are just the basics to get you started.

Tips.
Turn OFF crash detection in the sim otherwise if you get to within about 30 feet of another aircraft you will crash.
Use the same type (and skin) of aircraft to start with. Later, with more experience, try different aircraft and skins. The secret of success here is in selecting the recorded aircraft in the correct order.
Ensure you fly the lead aircraft on three quarter throttle otherwise you will never catch up with the following aircraft!
To start with, fly in a straight line, turning and banking aircraft are difficult to fly in formation. If you want to cheat fly the lead aircraft on AP.  :)

Just remember that you cannot fly multiple helicopters, only fixed wing. Best of luck, formation flying is a new and exciting experience.

Please feel free to post any comments or further questions.

Mike