Please join us for a pre-Oshkosh, NATA Formation Clinic in Dubuque, Iowa, Thursday, July 16th-Sunday thru Monday, July 20th, 2026.
All NATA members are invited to attend the clinic, but only Formation Members are permitted to fly as PIC. Training will be offered in
Supported Aircraft Types assuming sufficient resources for each type are available. Other aircraft types may participate in the clinic at the discretion of the Training Officer, but supported aircraft types have scheduling priority. Contact the organizers to confirm aircraft of your type are expected. NATA check rides and QPRs are only conducted in Supported Aircraft Types.
Trainees must review our
Formation Training Program before attending, paying particular attention to their specific aircraft requirements and the associated aircraft "Type Supplement." First-time clinic participants may find this
Clinic Newbie Checklist useful.
Arrival day is Thursday July 16th**, and the clinic will begin with Ground School that evening for any participants pursuing a qualification (Wingman or Lead). All are encouraged to attend, but attendance is mandatory for participants who have not attended a formal NATA ground school. There will be a mandatory safety briefing at 0800 on Friday.
We will depart for OSH on Monday, July 20th and enter directly into the airshow performance. For those planning to attend AirVenture, Mass Formation practice will take place on Sunday.
** All registered NATA Leads and Check Pilots are requested to arrive on Wedesday, July 15th, to participate in an important IP/CP meeting at 0900 Thursday July 16th, and a formation sortie or two afterwards.
Please review ALL of the registration steps below before proceeding:
- REGISTER ONLINE. Begin by clicking on the Registration button, supply the requested information and pay the registration fee. If you intend to fly as PIC and have current FAST credentials, you may register as PIC - Proficiency flying. If your credentials have expired or you are working on a wingman or Lead qualification, choose PIC - Training requested. If you do not intend to fly as PIC at all (e.g., IP/CP, observer, photographer), register as Non-PIC. You may register friends and family as Guest. If you are not a Formation member, you will not see the PIC registration options. To acquire this ability you may upgrade your membership by writing to formation@flynata.org. Late registrants may not receive a T-shirt or name patch.
- TRAINING? Working on a wing or Lead qual? Credentials expired and need a requal checkride? You must register as "PIC - Training requested (Wing/Lead/requal)."
- INSURANCE. If intending to fly as PIC, you must upload a Certificate of Insurance (COI). You may do so by visiting My Formation Documents on the Formation+ menu. Full info available at: Clinic Insurance Requirements. Please do this NOW!
- HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT. Hold Harmless Agreements are now handled online (no need to sign and upload a form). To complete the registration process you will accept the terms of the Hold Harmless Agreement and provide an “online” signature. Guests attending the clinic will have the opportunity to sign this document in person.
- ALLOW TEXT MESSAGES. Clinic organizers may use text messages to relay information to participants during the clinic (e.g., weather-related updates). Please allow NATA to send you text messages by visiting the Contact Information tab in your profile, and checking the box under your mobile number in Other Contacts, towards the bottom of the screen. Review your Personal Contact Information here.
Other Information:
Click below to download new formation manual
- TRAINEE PREPARATION. Pilots seeking training must comply with the aircraft readiness requirements in paragraph 5 of the Training Program. Please pay particular attention to the comms... we cannot conduct training in your aircraft if an IP cannot communicate with you and other aircraft in the flight. Also, note that a pre-formation "Eval" flight is required for first-time clinic participants and training materials must be reviewed prior to arrival.
- MEALS. Lunch, snacks, water, coffee, and beverages are provided each day at the Dubuque Jet Center. Ground School dinner, Thursday July 17th --all are encouraged to attend. Pizza is provided. The Saturday night group dinner will be at Timmermans Supper Club Dinner is $65 and is selected by default for pilots and guests; however, you may uncheck the box(es) during registration if you do not plan on attending. Please be sure to include your choice of meal when registering. Registrants are on their own for other dinners.
- HOTELS. Hotel Julien Dubuque (200 Main Street). "NATA" group rate $149 + tax for 7/15, 7/16 & 7/19 and $189 + tax for 7/17 & 7/18 available only until May 31st. $10 for each additional person. Call the hotel front desk directly to make reservations 800-798-7098 or 563-556-4200.
Alternative hotel: Holiday Inn Dubuque (450 Main Street). "NATA" group rate $115 + tax available until June 15th. Click on this link to Book Holiday Inn Room or call (563) 556-2000.
- RENTAL CARS. Enterprise has an AOPA rate for members. It is significantly less than other discounted rates. The number to call is (866) 315-9155. This number is for AOPA members only. If you are an Enterprise Plus Member they will drop off and pick up at the Jet Center. Since National Car Rental has merged with Enterprise, you can book using this number as well. If you are an Emerald Club member they will also drop off and deliver to the Jet Center (563) 583-8000. Avis is also on property (563) 556-0656 is the local Avis number. Reservations (800) 331-1212. Hertz is closed at the airport, but if you are a Gold member, you can arrange for drop off and pick up at the Jet Center. (563) 557-2020
- FUEL & OIL. Dubuque Jet Center (563) 589-4136 will fuel us from a truck. All participants will need to set up an account on arrival with a credit card. Gas will be discounted. Call the FBO in advance to pre-order any 120W or 25W60 oil.
- HANGARS & OTHER. Hangar space is very limited and available on a first come/first served basis. Call the FBO now to be placed on the list. The ramp is large, but in the event of a higher turnout of aircraft than can be accommodated on the ramp, some aircraft may have to park on the grass. Bring your own tie-downs and anchors. NOTE: If you are going to Oshkosh, you will need to have both tie-downs and anchors for on-grass parking there.
- OSHKOSH. If you plan to attend EAA AirVenture be sure to visit our NATA at AirVenture page, which includes instructions to pre-register your aircraft with EAA Warbirds and open a fuel account with Basler.
Photographers who wish to attend this clinic should review our
Clinic Photographer Policy before registering.