The group is made up of SoCal based pilots flying Western and Eastern-Block single-engine propeller-driven former military aircraft. Flights are conducted in accordance with FAA regulations, typically overflying the service or memorial at 1000 feet above ground level. This is high enough to provide a safe environment but low enough for the formation to be easily seen and heard. A conventional Memo
rial / Missing Man Formation Flyover will consist of 4 aircraft, but larger formations are possible (e.g., 8 or more). Flight
The formation skills used to conduct these flights are developed in accordance with the Formation And Safety Team (FAST), a global group of civilian organizations, primarily the T-34 Association (www.t-34.com) and the Red Star Pilots Association (www.flyredstar.org). Aircraft
Our aircraft are Eastern and Western Block military trainers and aerobatic competition aircraft: the US designed and manufactured 2-seat Beechraft T-34 Mentor, the Russian designed single-seat Yakovlev Yak-50 and two-seat Yakovlev Yak-52, and the Chinese designed Nanchang CJ-6.