Technique: Overhead approach
An overhead approach is a proven way to get a formation flight on the ground quickly with very few radio calls. The lead pilot typically makes the radio calls for the entire formation, so the other pilots typically remain silent.
The tower controller tells them to report a five-mile initial, or straight-in for the landing runway. The controller tells the lead pilot to report when crossing over the runway threshold—or, “report the numbers”—and expect a left break.
Each pilot makes a sharp, 180-degree turn to the downwind, configures for landing, and then another 180-degree turn to final approach. The airplanes typically land about 10 seconds apart, and since it’s a formation, one airplane doesn’t have to clear the runway before the next one arrives.
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