The low flying Israeli planes in formation. Photo: Screenshot.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Israel announced that 12 pilots flying six aircraft 422 meters below sea level have set a new Guinness World Record for a low formation flight, Israel’s Channel 2 reported on Monday.

Formation flying consists of several planes flying together in a precise geometric shape. This particular form of recreational flying requires an extremely high level of aeronautical expertise as even a slight deviation of one plane from the formation or flight path is liable to cause a serious accident.

The Israeli pilots first attempted to break the record in November 2013 but that initial flight over the Dead Sea was disqualified by a judge since one of the planes broke formation, Channel 2 said.

However, the second time proved to be the charm as the ultralight planes’ formation held steady for approximately one minute. After a few tense moments, the official Guinness World Record judge confirmed that a new standard had been established, setting off celebrations among the pilots and crew, Channel 2 reported.

The force behind Israel’s drive towards the record books is retired Lieutenant Colonel Dan Shion, a former pilot and commander of an Israeli Air Force squadron of fighter pilots. Since retiring from active military duty, Shion has continued to fly a variety of light aircraft and it was he who contacted the Guinness World Record headquarters in London to find out the exact criteria required for establishing a new low formation flying record, Channel 2 reported.

According to Shion, the record setting flight was a complex undertaking due to the unusually difficult conditions that go along with flying at low altitudes over the Dead Sea. As a result, Shion believes that the record he helped establish will be impossible to break anywhere but over the Dead Sea.

As such, Shion believes that the low formation flying record will remain in Israeli hands, Channel 2 reported.

Watch a video of the flying feat below: