Formation Simulator

Section 1

Getting Started

The COPA Formation Simulator runs in any mobile or desktop browser — no app installation required. All participants connect to the same flight by entering the same call sign and squawk code.

The Squawk Code

Your instructor will provide the squawk code for the session. Enter it on the first screen to proceed to the role-selection page. The code does not change between sessions unless the instructor resets it.

Choosing Your Role

Section 2

Wing Pilot Wing

As a wing pilot, your device is your flight controller. On a phone you get the control buttons full-screen. On a tablet or laptop in landscape, the formation view also appears alongside your controls so you can see the whole flight while you fly. Either way, you control your aircraft's speed, turn rate, and altitude — and follow Lead's commands during the session.

Joining a Flight

1. Enter the squawk code on the gate screen.
2. Select Wing.
3. Fill in your name, aircraft color, call sign, primary and backup frequencies, and your briefed position number (2 or higher).
4. Tap Enter Flight. Your aircraft spawns in formation near Lead.

Your Controller Screen

The header bar shows your call sign, color, and frequencies. Below it are three rows of controls:

Status Readouts

The small row of numbers below the controls shows your current Speed / Turn / Alt / Heading at a glance.

When the Flight is Paused

A PAUSED BY LEAD banner appears across the top of your screen. All of your controls are locked until Lead resumes. Wait for the flight to resume — the banner disappears and controls re-enable automatically.

Demo Mode

When the instructor activates Demo Mode, a purple DEMO MODE — controls locked banner appears. Your controls are disabled so the instructor can demonstrate formations, turns, and altitude concepts uninterrupted. Watch the display screen for the teaching content. Controls return to normal when the instructor exits Demo Mode.

Renumber Flight

At any point, Lead may call for a renumber to reassign position numbers across the flight.

1. A Flight Renumbering overlay appears on your screen.
2. Enter your new position number in the field and tap Submit.
3. Your screen shows "Submitted — waiting for lead."
4. Lead reviews all submissions and taps Apply Numbers to confirm.
5. Your position updates and the overlay closes.

Section 3

Lead Pilot Lead

The lead pilot commands the formation. You control speed and turns for your own aircraft, and have exclusive access to formation management, runway placement, and demo tools.

Joining as Lead

1. Enter the squawk code on the gate screen.
2. Select Lead.
3. Set the Call Sign — all participants join under this name.
4. Enter your name, color, and frequencies.
5. Choose a starting formation for when wings join.
6. Optionally check Start at Airport to spawn the flight on the ramp.
7. Tap Enter Flight.

Your Screen Layout

Lead-Only Controls

Pausing and Re-Forming

1. Press Pause. A reform panel appears. All wing controls lock automatically.
2. Tap a formation from the grid to select it.
3. Optionally tap a Formation Heading (N, E, S, W) to rotate the formation.
4. Press Resume flight. Aircraft animate to their new slots and wing controls unlock.

Renumber Flight

1. Press Pause → tap ⟳ Renumber Flight.
2. A renumber overlay appears on every connected controller. Each pilot enters their new position and taps Submit.
3. Your screen shows a live roster: submitted numbers appear in green; conflicts highlight in red.
4. When all submissions are conflict-free, tap Apply Numbers.
5. Position numbers update across all displays instantly.

If a conflict can't be resolved, tap Cancel to abort the renumber without changing any positions. You can then brief the flight again and start a fresh renumber.

Section 4

Formation Reference

Thirteen formations are available. All can be selected from the reform panel while paused, and from the demo control panel in demo or instructor mode.

Section 5

Demo Mode Lead

Demo Mode transforms your lead controller into a full instructor demonstration tool. Wing pilots' controls are locked automatically and they see a purple "DEMO MODE" banner. The display screen continues to show the formation responding to your inputs in real time.

Entering and Exiting Demo Mode

The Demo Control Panel

The right panel mirrors the standalone Instructor Demo interface. All controls work the same way in both contexts.

Formation

Tap any formation in the grid. Aircraft animate simultaneously to their new slots. Route Formation expands spacing on the current formation; any other selection returns to close spacing.

Heading

Tap N · 360°, E · 090°, S · 180°, or W · 270° to rotate the entire formation to a cardinal direction instantly. Useful for orienting the display to match the classroom whiteboard or a briefed diagram.

Formation Edit

Drag any aircraft to a custom world position. Use this to build non-standard arrangements or demonstrate a specific situation before reforming.

1. Tap ✎ Formation Edit.
2. Tap and drag any aircraft on the canvas to its new position.
3. For aircraft whose altitude should change, use the ↓ / ↑ adjusters that appear in the panel after a drag.
4. Drag as many aircraft as needed. Each pending move is shown with an amber selection ring.
5. Tap ▶ Execute — all aircraft animate to their new positions simultaneously.
6. Tap ✕ Cancel at any time to discard all pending moves.

Renumber

In Demo Mode you renumber directly on the canvas, without a coordination round-trip to all pilots.

1. Tap ⟳ Renumber (button turns purple — renumber mode is now active).
2. Tap any aircraft on the canvas. A prompt appears for the new position number.
3. Enter the number and confirm. The aircraft's label updates instantly.
4. Tap ✕ Done Renumbering to exit renumber mode.

Show Turn

Demonstrates the altitude and banking effects of a turn without physically rotating the formation on screen. The formation stays static while the altitude strip and banking angles update — ideal for teaching inside/outside concepts.

◄◄ Hard left  —  ◄ Gentle left  —  ■ Straight (resets)  —  ► Gentle right  —  ►► Hard right

When a turn is active, aircraft in the altitude strip change altitude over about one second:

Pressing ■ Straight ends the turn. Aircraft gradually return to their standard stacked altitudes over a few seconds.

Section 6

Standalone Instructor Demo Instructor Demo

The Instructor Demo role creates a self-contained session with virtual aircraft — no wing pilots required. It is ideal for pre-flight briefings, classroom demonstrations, or preparing lesson material before a live session.

Joining as Instructor Demo

1. Enter the squawk code, then select Instructor Demo.
2. Enter a Call Sign for the session.
3. Select the number of aircraft (2–16) and the starting formation.
4. Tap Start Demo.

Interface Layout

The demo page opens in a two-column layout that is always visible regardless of screen size:

All controls operate identically to Demo Mode on the Lead controller. Refer to Section 5 for full descriptions of each tool.

Ending a Demo Session

Scroll to the bottom of the control panel and tap End Demo. This terminates the session, releases the call sign, and returns you to the start screen.

Section 7

The Display Screen Display

The Display role shows a read-only top-down formation view designed to be projected in a classroom or shared on a secondary screen. It updates in real time and does not require any input after joining.

Joining as Display

1. Open the app on the projector device and enter the squawk code.
2. Select Display.
3. Enter the flight's Call Sign exactly as the Lead entered it.
4. Tap Connect to Display. The formation view fills the screen.

What the Display Shows

Section 8

Altitude Strip Reference

The altitude strip shows vertical separation between formation aircraft. Understanding these rules helps students recognize why altitude management matters in close formation flying.

Normal (Straight and Level) Stacking

Turn Effects (Demo Show Turn)