formate
verb/fɔː(ɹ)ˈmeɪt/
Etymology Back-formation from formation on the basis of -ate (verb-forming suffix).
1
Aeronautics, Aerospace, Business, Engineering, Natural sciences, Physical sciences To assemble flying aircraft into formation; to fly in formation.
- Tiger Moths from the Reserve Flying Schools at Rochester and Cambridge competed with each other at formating in the gusty conditions, Rochester just winning.1949, The Aeroplane, volume 76, page 699:
- Formating with Patty Wagstaff' s modified Baron, flown by Dale Snodgrass, was fun on a beautiful morning, though all you learn about an airplane while formating is the power response (very smooth) and the response to control pressures.2002 July, Richard L. Collins, “Piper Seneca V: a classic light twin..”, in Flying, page 68:
1 more example
- Actually, the leader of the formation was supposed to maintain the eagle-eyed vigil necessary to ensure that his formation kept out of harm's way, because the pilots formating on him had to keep all their attention riveted on his aircraft; but the Air Force recognized that with inexperienced pilots leading formations it was wise to splash extra lookouts around liberally.2003, Murray Peden, A Thousand Shall Fall: The True Story of a Canadian Bomber Pilot in World War Two, page 74: