The Missing Man Formation is an aerial salute typically honoring a fallen pilot. The salute is performed as an aircraft flyover at a funeral or memorial service. Normally, a “missing” aircraft acts as a symbolic representation of the veteran who has passed away, signifying their departure to the heavens.

The Falcon Warbirds conducted this Missing Man Memorial Flight. Falcon Warbirds are a formation flying squadron based at Mesa, Arizona’s Falcon Field Airport. The group also provides classic warbird airplanes for display, guided tours, missing man memorial flights, and exhibition formation demonstrations at airshows and other events. The Warbirds’ aircraft are fully restored ex-military planes piloted by highly experienced airmen in every aspect formation flying. Falcon Warbird members are familiar and practiced with the appropriate Missing Man Memorial protocol to pilot the aircraft.

This gallery includes three flyovers of a Missing Man Memorial Flight that took place in June 2015 at Falcon Field Airport, Mesa, Arizona. A total of four aircraft took place in this memorial flight. Three aircraft took off from Falcon Field, while the fourth took off from Scottsdale Airport. All four aircraft rendezvoused east of Falcon Field prior to the first flyover.

Included are photos of aircraft checkout, engine startups on the hanger ramp, taxiing out, engine run-up, takeoffs, three flyovers, landings, and finally taxiing back to the ramp.

Falcon Warbirds occupy one of the original hangars at Falcon Field Airport, Mesa, Arizona where U.S. Army Air Corps, British Royal Air Force, and Chinese pilots were trained during World War II. The public is invited to come out and see the Warbird squadron aircraft.
http://www.falconwarbirds.com/

Denny_D