The skies above Tucson will hold some unusual sights and sounds through the weekend as a mix of historic warplanes and newer fighters perform air-show practice at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
During the Heritage Flight Training and Certification Course at D-M, which runs through Sunday, civilian pilots of historic military aircraft and Air Force pilots of current fighter aircraft practice flying in formation in preparation for air-show season.
Historic 'warbirds' flying in this yearโs training include the P-51 Mustang, the P-40 Warhawk, the P-38 Lightning, P-47 Thunderbolt and the F-86 Sabre.
Joining some of those warbirds for close-formation flying are the Air Combat Commandโs F-22 Raptor and the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Though some F-16s regularly fly at D-M, ย the twin-engine F-22 โ which is significantly louder than the F-16 and other planes based at D-M โ is rarely seen here.
The Heritage Flight Training is not open to the general public, though Air Force retirees and active-duty service members with base access can visit the flight line.
While most low-altitude maneuvers are performed over the airfield, the Heritage Flight planes can be seen over parts of the city as they enter and exit maneuvers and formations.
Flight training begins at 7:30 each day.
