OH58D Formation Takeoff

D/1-4 Cavalry, 2003. Formation takeoff from Conn Barracks in Schweinfurt, Germany, on the way to gunnery.
The "herringbone" formation is meant to provide some clearance for aircraft weapons-systems. In this case, it was an administrative move from our home airfield to the field sight at Grafenwoehr, so no actual live weapons were carried. However, we didn't often get the opportunity to practice eight-ship formation flights, so this was good practice.
The aircraft line up in the "herringbone", with the weapons faced outward.
The lead aircraft will set 90 degrees to the flight with the pilot's (right-seat) door facing the formation. This is so he can see when all the aircraft are ready.
All members of the flight will conduct their pre-takeoff checks prior to setting down. Once all the aircraft are on the ground, the flight-lead will know all ships are ready. No radio calls should be required.
The lead aircraft will lift to a hover, then turn in the direction of takeoff and begin a slow five-count. This is intended to allow the entire flight to come to a hover.
As soon as the lead gets light, the rest of the flight will come to a hover and wait for lead's tail to rise after the five count. That's all will smoothly takeoff together, and assume climbout profile.

[@Matti0503]

god that is majestic

[@ashwakeup]

Its 3 a.m and im hearing these choppers over my house right now and I searched for schweinfurt choppers and found this video that was made today. Coincidence?

[@Thedoctv]

Lovely

[@volkvoort]

Is there a tactical need for more than 2 Kiowas scouting out for an attack? Rather put would there be a good tactical reason for such a large formation to deploy to combat if they stuck together rather than splitting up in pairs and then covering various areas/attack elements?
Also with that oblique start before hover & take-off, I've seen other vids where the helos go out of their way to yaw sideways - supposedly to get a look at the rear before starting take-off - might that be another reason or are comms from the ground announcing an all-clear sufficient?

[@Barundus]

This is an admin-move. Merely to get the entire unit's aircraft from one location to another, in a no-threat environment.
An air-assault company would take off this way, though.
This doesn't happen very often, and Scout guys have to get their practice in too ;)
To the second point; "clearing turns" might be required if you're unsure of the immediately surrounding environment, but on a runway like this, with multiple wingmen, it wouldn't make sense for that many aircraft to pirouette just prior to pulling pitch.

[@volkvoort]

@@Barundus Makes sense, thanks.

[@dtectorx3]

Awesome video. What's the purpose behind the different columns facing outward of the runway, before centering when they pick up into the initial hover?

[@Barundus]

For when the aircraft are armed. That way, the weapons systems are pointed away from each other.
We weren't armed here. But train like you fight, right?

[@dtectorx3]

@@Barundus I gotcha. Treat every weapon as if it's loaded. Makes sense, appreciate the answer!

[@kiowaoh-58DIR]

Was with E/1-1 CAV Budingen, Germany 2003-2005

[@Barundus]

Can't tell who you are from your pic, lol; but we probably know each other! So you flew with "Hey Cock-nose!" Mogg, and R. Heath, etc.?
Did your helmet get burnt up in the great BIAP hangar fire?

[@kiowaoh-58DIR]

@@Barundus I know all them. I was the one that got shot in Iraq. Gen Mac and Lance were with me in Hawaii than Alaska.

[@Barundus]

@@kiowaoh-58DIR Hah. I got shot in Iraq too, lol. Free license plates fohevah!

[@kiowaoh-58DIR]

@@Barundus Mine, 12 May 2004 Karbala, Iraq

[@kiowaoh-58DIR]

Retired out of Rucker 2014