Dozens of elected officials across the U.S. have issued formal declarations celebrating general aviation in honor of the National Celebration of General Aviation D.C. Flyover.
Slated for May 11, 2024, the flyover will feature a parade of more than 60 general aviation aircraft, which will traverse the skies over the National Mall in Washington, D.C., some of the most restricted airspace in the country, according to officials with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
For aviation enthusiasts across the country, the best way to celebrate is by tuning into AOPA’s YouTube channel (@flywithaopa) at 11:45 a.m. Eastern time on May 11, AOPA officials said.
AOPA’s Tom Haines and aviation journalist Miles O’Brien will host the live flyover, commenting as the aircraft fly above the Lincoln Memorial, down Independence Avenue, and past the Washington Monument.
Elected officials in cities and states across the U.S. are joining the celebration in recognition of the economic and social value general aviation brings to their communities. Through formal declarations, governors, mayors, and legislators are proclaiming General Aviation Month, National Celebration of GA Flyover Day, National Aviation Flyover Day, and more, AOPA officials said.
AOPA has received governor’s proclamations from Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia.
Arizona, California, Indiana, and Tennessee also issued legislative resolutions for the event.
Thanks to support from the Alliance for Aviation Across America, several cities are participating through mayoral proclamations, including Cartersville and LaGrange in Georgia; Crawfordsville, Frankfort, Greencastle, and Lafayette in Indiana; Madisonville, Murray, and Paducah in Kentucky; Sanford, Maine; Salisbury, Maryland; and Wildwood, New Jersey.
“We appreciate and value the support shown by all these cities and states,” said Mike Ginter, AOPA vice president of airport and state advocacy and the air boss for the flyover. “So much of AOPA’s advocacy mission happens at the state and local level, and it is great to see these states proclaim general aviation with such a strong voice.”
The proclamations will be displayed at AOPA headquarters in Frederick, Maryland, on May 11, where the fleet of 60 aircraft, organized into 15 chapters of history, will take off and land for the National Celebration of General Aviation D.C. Flyover, AOPA officials noted.
The flyover coincides with AOPA’s 85th anniversary. The association was founded in 1939 with the mission of protecting the freedom to fly. That same year, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed National Aviation Day into law, recognizing the value general aviation was bringing to the nation and ushering in a new golden era of general aviation, AOPA officials said.
It’s a good time to give General Aviation the respect and recognition it deserves!
Young people starting great careers, putting out fires and saving lives IS very important. There’s way too much focus on people complaining about the sound of aircraft and the small percentage of crashes. Thank you for reporting on something legitimately positive!
As the GA planes fly over the National Mall and other important places on the 11th, with glorious expectations for a grand future,,,,, elected officials won’t so much as look out of their windows. FAA officials included. AOPA should be appointed instead of elected officials for everything that happens with General Aviation.
These Whoop-T-Do “Months” mean absolutely nothing. May is also “Be Kind to Animals Month”, “Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month”, “Gardening for Wildlife Month”, “Gardening for Wildlife Month”, “Gardening for Wildlife Month”, and perhaps the dumbest one of all, “Gardening for Wildlife Month”.