The crowd searched the picture perfect blue sky while in search of the planes that were somewhere above. The sound of airplanes approaching from behind caught their attention. Many turned just in time to see the three tiger-striped painted planes shoot overhead while one peeled slightly off and flew out of sight. Several people clapped, some waved and others placed a hand over their hearts and dipped their heads as they recognized the missing man formation that was being flown during the Veterans Day Parade in Rome, Georgia.
The missing man formation that had just been flown was done so by pilots of the Tiger Flight Foundation Formation Flight Team, commonly called Tiger Flight. The foundation, team and museum are based in Rome, Georgia at the Richard B. Russell Airport (RMG).
Tiger Flight is a 501C3 non-profit foundation with the mission purpose of leading youth to the dream of flight and providing an opportunity for adults to serve the community through aviation activities. The basic idea is to inspire youth and adults to become “Pilots in Command” of their own lives. Major foundation components include Tiger Flight Formation Flight Team, Tiger Flight Museum, and our Children’s Education and Motivational Program.
Tiger Flight was founded in 2001 by two Atlanta-area pilots in order to enjoy the challenge of formation flying and to promote a unique aircraft — tiger stripe painted Alon A-2 Aircoupes. Tiger Flight now consists of three aircraft, several active pilots, skilled formation flight coaches and several volunteer ground crew members.
David Wright, board member of the Tiger Flight Foundation says the group works in several ways: “We’re designing our program in order to increase interest and enthusiasm in science, mathematics and the technologies as associated with flight. However, it’s also broader. We have a larger message that kids can essentially take the controls of their own lives, particularly among elementary and middle school students.”
The group offers educational fly-ins as field trips and outings, including a visit to the Tiger Flight hanger and museum, which has a replica World War II airfield control tower that also serves as a small classroom and meeting space. Several prints, books, artifacts and museum quality items are on display, and the group hopes to increase its collection.
“We’re always on the lookout for individuals, groups or contacts with World War II era items that they would like to display for a day, a month or a year along with our collection,” Phil Cataldo, call sign ‘Sunny,’ said. “The more we have the more we capture the attention of the children, which helps them learn about science, flying, life and history.”
History is important to the members of the all-volunteer group as many are retired or former military members, while some have family members serving in various branches.
“We’re a pretty patriotic group and our name Tiger Flight has ties to the famed World War II Flying Tigers,” Cataldo said. “We are proudly associated with the original Flying Tigers and honored to be the only civilian flight team associated with this famed World War II squadron. In 2003 Tiger Flight was given permission to use the squadron patch of the Flying Tigers by the family of General Claire Chennault, the commanding officer of the Flying Tigers, and General Robert Scott, Flying Tiger pilot.”
The mission does not end with education and history. The Tiger Flight Formation Flight team is quickly becoming a fixture for regional air shows. “We also provide missing man formation and other fly over formations for events such as parades, football and baseball games and more,” David Wright said. “Weather permitting and with enough notice we are more than willing to try and help out.”
The following article was provided by Tiger Flight Formation Flight Team. For more information about Tiger Flight, visit their website at www.TigerFlightFoundation.org.
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