In this essay, pilot Mike Jones introduces readers to Rodney Swanson, Craig Chipley, and Gil Velez — the masterminds behind the 2021 Cessnas2Oshkosh mass arrival, which was the largest formation flight since World War II. Discover how Swanson and the team combined military precision with rigorous formation clinics to prove that high-wing Cessnas could fly together safely and land like clockwork. These pilots turned a chaotic aviation logistics puzzle that nobody thought would work (including the FAA, the EAA, and rival flying groups) into one of AirVenture's most successful mass arrivals? The report is packed with inspiring stories of camp breakfasts, camaraderie, and community. This look “under the hood” of a mass arrival will make any pilot eager to join the fleet and head to Oshkosh.
