The Red Star Pilots Association (RPA) visited Waycross last weekend for a two-day training program focusing on formation flying called the Waycross Swamp Thunder Formation Clinic.
The RPA invited visitors to the airport to meet, talk, and watch pilots go through their training regimen.
According to its website, RPA is a not-norprofit corporation registered in Virginia. The association’s mission is to promote and preserve the safe operation, display, and enjoyment of all aircraft originating in the current and former communist bloc nations.
The RPA strives to function as a clearing house for all information related to maintenance and safe operation of these aircraft. Through designated check and instructor pilots, the group develops performance standards, principles, and techniques that are disseminated to member pilots to promote safe formation flight and the safe operation of the aircraft.
They’re an FAA-sanctioned signatory to the Formation and Safety Team body known by the abbreviation F.A.S.T. This position allows them to train, qualify, and manage civilian formation pilots in the United States and Canada for the safe conduct of formation flight displays in the U.S. and Canadian air show industry.
Pilots worldwide benefit from formation training at all levels while the public interest is maintained through efforts to reinforce flight safety. Membership is open to all pilots, aircraft owners, and enthusiasts. Ownership of an Eastern Block aircraft isn’t a requirement to be a full member.
The RPA originally started as the Yak Pilots Club (YPC) founded by Bud Harrell in 1993 with approximately 18 members operating the Nanchang CJ-6A aircraft. Membership expanded to more than 200 ’99 when leadership moved to Mike Filucci, who established it as a non-profit named the Yak Pilots Association.
Membership rose to about 280, most operating the CJ-6 and Yak-52 aircraft. In 2002, Drew Blahnick was elected President of the YPA, and through a national referendum, changed the name to Red Star Pilots Association. Currently, membership stands at more than 500.
A member of the RPA climbs after takeoff to meet other planes in flying formation over the Waycross-Ware County Airport. SPECIAL PHOTO
