Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20; Flight Crew Total 230; Flight Crew Type 120
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure
While on a left downwind for Runway 25 a formation flight of two vintage war planes performed a low approach for Runway 25. While the other two airplanes were on about a one mile final I reported them in sight and said I would land after behind them on the low approach. I turned to left base as they flew over the runway. As I turned to about a one and one-half mile final; both planes made a climbing left turn around to what I thought was a left downwind. Instead one plane kept turning around to enter a short final in front of me. I assume that this airplane did not realize I was already on final; even though I had made radio calls for each leg of the pattern.Meanwhile the second airplane; which was going to follow; must have seen me and entered a left base instead of turning to final. He was at my altitude on a collision course; probably 2;000 feet to my left. While I was trying to figure out what the airplanes were doing; the second airplane (on left base) radioed and asked if I was landing and if he was going to have to go around. Before I could respond; the first airplane; already on the ground at this point; radioed and said; quote; 'No! Wingman; you do not go around. You land.' At this time; I came on the radio and said I was going around. The second airplane turned to final and descended while I climbed out on final. I flew a normal pattern; came around; and performed a normal touch-and-go landing without incident.All-in-all; this was a miscommunication on both sides. I did not realize that after they performed a low approach that they would immediately climb out to the left and enter a very short final. At the same time; they misunderstood me when I said I would land after they did the low approach. They must have thought I meant that would land after they landed.
A general aviation pilot reported an airborne conflict with two vintage military aircraft that performed a low approach and break maneuver to a landing without clear coordination with other traffic at a non-towered airport.