DA20-A1 Katana
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 500; Flight Crew Type 200
Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors
I was flying and saw my formation buddy's plane. I joined on his wing then he joined on mine. We flew together for about a minute or two. Later [I found] out from my friend that was not his plane and he was not flying that day. The plane we joined is the same model Citabria and exact paint scheme with the same tail markings. Both planes are completely identical and I mistakenly joined on the wrong plane.
DA-20 pilot reported flying formation with an aircraft that was unaware of his intentions.