---
title: "SERA.3135 Formation flights — ANNEX: Rules of the Air, SERA · Avioverse"
description: "Aircraft shall not be flown in formation except by pre-arrangement among the pilots-in-command of the aircraft taking part in the flight and, for…"
url: "https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/sera/annex-rules-of-the-air/section-3/sera-3135"
---

# SERA.3135 Formation flights

ANNEX: Rules of the Air · Regulation (EU) No 923/2012 · EAR revision 26 Aug 2025

IR Implementing rule

## SERA.3135 Formation flights

[Aircraft](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aircraft) shall not be flown in formation except by pre-arrangement among the pilots-in-command of the aircraft taking part in the flight and, for formation flight in [controlled airspace](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/controlled-airspace), in accordance with the conditions prescribed by the [competent authority](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/competent-authority). These conditions shall include the following:

(a) one of the pilots-in-command shall be designated as the flight leader;

(b) the formation operates as a single aircraft with regard to navigation and position reporting;

(c) separation between aircraft in the flight shall be the responsibility of the flight leader and the pilots-in-command of the other aircraft in the flight and shall include periods of transition when aircraft are manoeuvring to attain their own separation within the formation and during join-up and breakaway; and

(d) for State aircraft a maximum lateral, longitudinal and vertical distance between each aircraft and the flight leader in accordance with the Chicago Convention. For other than State aircraft a distance not exceeding 1 km (0,5 nm) laterally and longitudinally and 30 m (100 ft) vertically from the flight leader shall be maintained by each aircraft.

IR · SERA.3135 — Regulation (EU) No 923/2012 · ​Regulation (EU) No 923/2012 · SERA Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 26 Aug 2025

[All rules in SECTION 3 General rules and collision avoidance](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/sera/annex-rules-of-the-air/section-3)

Consolidated from the EASA Easy Access Rules (revision 26 Aug 2025, extracted 13 Oct 2026) for convenience. Not the official publication — verify against the Official Journal of the European Union and the EASA publications before operational use.