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T-6 Texans return after practicing formation flying. (Ben Martin | The Vicksburg Post)

Four World War II-era aircraft flying in formation at the clinic on Friday. (Ben Martin | The Vicksburg Post)

A P-51 Mustang at rest at the annual Warbirds Formation Clinic at the Tallulah-Vicksburg Regional Airport. (Ben Martin | The Vicksburg Post)

The practice area was divided into four quadrants delineated by the Mississippi River and I-20. This whiteboard was used to keep tabs on who was flying in what area. (Ben Martin | The Vicksburg Post)

A pilot prepping his P-51 Mustang for takeoff at the annual Warbirds Formation Clinic at the Tallulah-Vicksburg Regional Airport on Friday morning. (Ben Martin | The Vicksburg Post)

Residents may have noticed World War II-era aircraft flying in formation over the skies of Vicksburg on Thursday and Friday. Those planes are coming from the annual Warbirds Formation Clinic being held at the Vicksburg-Tallulah Regional Airport.

Participants from around the country, both instructors and students, were working on certifications required for formation flying, the art of safely flying within mere feet of another aircraft.

The event was being hosted by the Southern Heritage Air Foundation (SHAF) and the North American Trainer Association (NATA).

The president of NATA, Larry Lumpkin, attended the event.

“There’s several aspects that make (formation flying) special. But formation flying is dangerous because it’s close flying. It’s challenging,” Lumpkin said. “But once you get it down pat, it becomes some of the most enjoyable flying you can do. If you’ve got four guys flying that close, you’re trusting them, depending on them to do the right thing.”

Lumpkin, who learned to fly after leaving the Air Force, flew for United Airlines for 32 years. He flew primarily a P-51 Mustang at the event.

50 pilots with 40 aircraft participated in the clinic. These included four P-51 Mustangs, two T-34 Mentors, one F4U Corsair, and 33 T-6 Texans.

Patty Mekus serves as the president of SHAF.

“I think the pilots are great. The aircraft are just amazing,” she said. “To see that many warbirds on one tarmac, to see the Corsair and the P-51, the two that helped win the war, one in the Pacific, one in the European theater, that’s pretty cool. And it’s just a great thing for the community.”

Mekus mentioned that one way the clinic impacts the community is by bringing in business to local hotels, restaurants, and shops.

One of the T-6 pilots participating in the event was Robert Harris.

“You come for the people in addition to the flying… The fellowship is great. Plus you learn a lot,” Harris said. “You get a lot of experience. You’ve got shuttle commanders (to) new private pilots that got their license last year, all the way up to guys that have a plethora of experience that you can add to your tool set.”

One draw for pilots, according to Harris, is the fact that opportunities to do formation flying are limited.

“In the formation world, it’s (about) how to get in position better and how to fly safer. The big part of coming to clinics is practice, practice, practice,” he said. “You don’t get to do this every day.”

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