First in the sky, partially obscured by the clouds, were two Stearman-World War II primary trainers, which Mr. Nasta flew at air shows. They were followed by a Piper cub, the type of plane used by Mr. Nasta, a licensed flight instructor, to teach his students how fly tail wheel airplanes. Next came a Piper Saratoga, which Mr. Nasta flew for Angel Flights, a volunteer organization of pilots who transport people for medical treatment. The fourth flight was three aerobatic planes, which Mr. Nasta flew in the aerobatic competitions that he loved.

The fifth and final flight provided the most spectacular display. Four Warbirds burst through the clouds, silhouetted by rays of sun that also pierced the cloud cover, and flew low in a military missing man formation over the hushed crowd.

News-Review photo by Barbaraellen Koch
Kathleen Nasta (center) is consoled by friends Rose D'Orsogna (left) and Lorraine Sferlazza after the fly-over memorial for her late husband Vinny Nasta at Riverhead HIgh School Thursday morning.

Two of the Warbirds were planes Mr. Nasta flew while skytyping, and they left in their wake long trails of thick white smoke hanging in the sky over Riverhead High School. Another, a green P40 that Mr. Nasta flew in airshows, pulled up and headed west as the formation flew overhead in a ceremonial salute to a fallen pilot.

The field erupted with cheers and applause as the Warbirds roared off over the treetops.

“It is a fitting tribute to a special man, a great way to get the day started, thinking of Vincent Nasta,” said Mr. Zimbler.

Mr. Nasta's widow, Kathleen, who watched the display in the parking lot with some of her husband's students and fellow teachers, said she was touched by the tribute.

“Vinny would have loved it,” she said. See a video of a fly-over in the right sidebar.

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