The light has officially turned green for the National Celebration of General Aviation D.C. Flyover, planned for May 11, 2024.
Planning and coordination with a myriad agencies and regulators have been in the works for more than a year for the flyover, according to officials with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). But association officials knew takeoffs wouldn’t happen until it received an official yes/no the week of the event.
With final government approval, 56 general aviation (GA) aircraft will depart Frederick Municipal Airport (KFDK) in Maryland shortly before noon on Saturday, May 11, to participate in The National Celebration of General Aviation D.C. Flyover.
The event, coordinated by AOPA, will feature a wide array of aircraft representing virtually every chapter of general aviation’s history, which will fly over the National Mall to celebrate the value the general aviation industry has provided to our nation since 1939, AOPA officials said.
“The idea to celebrate the many contributions of general aviation to our nation’s communities began over a year ago, and we’ve had countless meetings and planning sessions with officials from the FAA, TSA, and Secret Service for the route, airspace, aircraft, and pilots,” said AOPA Vice President of Airports and State Advocacy Mike Ginter, who will also serve as the air boss for the flyover. “We greatly appreciate the support from these partner agencies and getting the final approval was great news. We’re ready to go!”
The National Celebration of GA Flyover will be broadcast live on AOPA’s YouTube channel with commentary from longtime AOPA Live This Week host Tom Haines and journalist Miles O’Brien. AOPA is encouraging watch parties at local airports and other gathering places.
This special event will take place over one of Washington, D.C.’s, most restricted flight zones, Prohibited Area P-56, something that hasn’t been done with GA aircraft since Sept. 11, 2001. Spectators will watch the aircraft fly above the Lincoln Memorial, down Independence Avenue, and past the Washington Monument.
The aircraft, comprising 15 different “chapters,” will tell the story of GA in the United States, from those in the Golden Age and representing GA after World War II to the general aviation trainer era, vertical flight, backcountry flying, seaplanes, corporate and business aviation, technically advanced aircraft, homebuilt aircraft, air show performers, and other examples of general aviation aircraft that support public service missions.
The pilots were specifically selected to participate based on their aircraft and level of pilot qualification, and all aircraft will be inspected by the TSA, Secret Service, and FAA prior to departure. All pilots and crews were required to pass a security screening, and every detail of this flyover was planned with the government agencies, AOPA officials reported.
“It’s going to be a special time for AOPA and for general aviation,” AOPA President Mark Baker said about the event. “What a sight it will be to see the history of general aviation flying over the National Mall as GA has given this nation so much over the past many decades.”
The event also coincides with AOPA’s 85th birthday.
More information on the event, route and planned aircraft can be found on AOPA’s GA Flyover web page.