---------------------------------------------------------- Lightning-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Thu 10/13/11: 2 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 04:42 AM - Re: Great Idea, Earl (Kayberg@AOL.COM) 2. 01:38 PM - Re: Great Idea, Earl (N1BZRich@AOL.COM) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 04:42:56 AM PST US From: Kayberg@AOL.COM Subject: Re: Lightning-List: Great Idea, Earl Since we have lost two great men in less than a week's time, men who had thousands of hours as airline captains, who loved flying and will be miss ed by all, Buz's suggestion makes sense to me. While we hate to face it, sooner or later we all will depart this earth in some shape or form. The re is something about the Lightning that attracts the best people, so planning to honor them ALL seems appropriate. Doug Koenigsberg In a message dated 10/12/2011 11:12:54 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, N1BZRich@aol.com writes: In a message dated 10/12/2011 9:28:09 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, EAFerguson@AOL.COM writes: I suggest a missing man formation flight at the next Lightning Homecoming in his honor. I think "World Record" Earl has a great idea about flying a missing man formation in Joe's honor at the next Lightning Homecoming and Fly-In. I k now Joe would appreciate it, as he has flown in several missing man honor flights in the past. However, I think that Joe would probably expand on E arl's suggestion so that each year at the Lightning Homecoming and Fly-In we would honor anyone from the Lightning community that we have lost since th e last homecoming. So based on that criteria, we would be honoring both Jo e and Harry at the 2012 Lightning Homecoming and Fly-In. Lets hope that no other names will be added to the 2012 missing man honor list. Buz The Missing =9CMan=9D Formation An Aerial Salute to Aviators The Missing Man Formation is an aerial _salute_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salute) normally performed as part of a _fl yover_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flypast) of aircraft at a funeral or other memorial event. It is typically in memory of a fallen combat pilot, but is also used to honor others, especially those who might have a close military association or a close and dedicated tie in to aviation. The Missing Man Formation is perhaps the most magnificent and solemn aerial maneuver ever seen. Whether flown with the wingman climbing off int o the heavens, or flown consistently with that conspicuous hole in the formation where a buddy should be... this dignified, almost painful to watch maneuver, is a part of aviation history. Several variants of the formation are often seen. The formation most commonly used in the United States is based on the "_finger-tip_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finger-four) " four-aircraft formation commo nly flown by fighter aircraft. The aircraft fly in a V-shape, with the flight leader at the point and his wingmen following on the left and right. This formation flies over the ceremony low enough to be clearly seen, and when just befor e the site, one member of the flight pulls up and =9Cwest=9D, wh ile the rest of the formation continues. In other variations, the flight is composed of only three aircraft with a position in that formation that is conspicuousl y empty. In all cases, the aircraft performing the pull-up, or the missing aircraft, represents the fact that the missing person being honored has =9Cgone to Heaven=9D. Today, we fly this magnificent and solemn aerial maneuver as an honor and tribute to =9Cname or names of persons being honored=9D; hop efully showing the love, honor and respect they so richly deserve. Above, the missing man has departed his comrades in the formation and has =9C gone west=9D as he ascends to Heaven. Prepared by: C. A. =9CBuz=9D Rich Colonel, USAF (Retired) ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 01:38:12 PM PST US From: N1BZRich@AOL.COM Subject: Re: Lightning-List: Great Idea, Earl Hi Ray, I'll leave it up to the Tennessee Lightning guys as to whether they want to take Earl's idea of a missing man formation flight for Joe and Har ry at next year's Lightning home coming. Over the years I have flown in and lead numerous missing man flights in both military fighters and in general aviation aircraft (everything from Pitts Specials to J3 Cubs). If the Tennessee guys decide that it would be a good thing to do, then we will be looking for qualified folks to be involved in the event. So I certainly appreciate your input. Blue Skies, Buz In a message dated 10/13/2011 12:02:18 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, FamilyGage@AOL.COM writes: Buz: Great idea for Earl. Have flown formation for years and earned a FAST lead patch. Missing man is usually flown strong finger left or right. #2 off lead (depends on crowd position), at lead's signal #3 smoke on, and a slow pull up as the other three planes move on past crowd. When clear, #3 turn s west (usually over or to the side of the crowd) and disappears. The flight rejoins out of sight of the crowd and returns to the airport. Spee d is not important, as this gives less time in front, and harder for #3 to show slow coordinated pull up and turn toward the west. As with all formation flights, symmetry is most important to the observers. Aviation gave Earl more than most humans. Ray Gage In a message dated 10/12/2011 11:12:54 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, N1BZRich@aol.com writes: In a message dated 10/12/2011 9:28:09 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, EAFerguson@AOL.COM writes: I suggest a missing man formation flight at the next Lightning Homecoming in his honor. I think "World Record" Earl has a great idea about flying a missing man formation in Joe's honor at the next Lightning Homecoming and Fly-In. I k now Joe would appreciate it, as he has flown in several missing man honor flights in the past. However, I think that Joe would probably expand on E arl's suggestion so that each year at the Lightning Homecoming and Fly-In we would honor anyone from the Lightning community that we have lost since th e last homecoming. So based on that criteria, we would be honoring both Jo e and Harry at the 2012 Lightning Homecoming and Fly-In. Lets hope that no other names will be added to the 2012 missing man honor list. Buz The Missing =9CMan=9D Formation An Aerial Salute to Aviators The Missing Man Formation is an aerial _salute_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salute) normally performed as part of a _fl yover_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flypast) of aircraft at a funeral or other memorial event. It is typically in memory of a fallen combat pilot, but is also used to honor others, especially those who might have a close military association or a close and dedicated tie in to aviation. The Missing Man Formation is perhaps the most magnificent and solemn aerial maneuver ever seen. Whether flown with the wingman climbing off int o the heavens, or flown consistently with that conspicuous hole in the formation where a buddy should be... this dignified, almost painful to watch maneuver, is a part of aviation history. Several variants of the formation are often seen. The formation most commonly used in the United States is based on the "_finger-tip_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finger-four) " four-aircraft formation commo nly flown by fighter aircraft. The aircraft fly in a V-shape, with the flight leader at the point and his wingmen following on the left and right. This formation flies over the ceremony low enough to be clearly seen, and when just befor e the site, one member of the flight pulls up and =9Cwest=9D, wh ile the rest of the formation continues. In other variations, the flight is composed of only three aircraft with a position in that formation that is conspicuousl y empty. In all cases, the aircraft performing the pull-up, or the missing aircraft, represents the fact that the missing person being honored has =9Cgone to Heaven=9D. Today, we fly this magnificent and solemn aerial maneuver as an honor and tribute to =9Cname or names of persons being honored=9D; hop efully showing the love, honor and respect they so richly deserve. Above, the missing man has departed his comrades in the formation and has =9C gone west=9D as he ascends to Heaven. Prepared by: C. A. =9CBuz=9D Rich Colonel, USAF (Retired) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message lightning-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/Lightning-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/lightning-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/lightning-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.