The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) will tell a visual story of general aviation on May 11 with a unique flyover at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. To involve 15 various “chapters” of general aviation and 60 aircraft dating back to 1939 during the “Golden Age” of the industry, the flyover will kick off from Frederick, Maryland, led by AOPA president Mark Baker in his Beechcraft Staggerwing 17.
“It’s going to be a special time for AOPA and for general aviation,” Baker said. “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. AOPA is uniquely positioned to plan this complex event and execute it safely and professionally.”
Coinciding with AOPA’s celebration of its 85th anniversary, the event is similar in concept to the "Arsenal of Democracy," the flyover of the National Mall in 2017 in commemoration of the conclusion of World War II, except that this flyover is meant as a nationwide visual experience that will be live-streamed. AOPA has encouraged members to have watch parties at FBOs across the country.
The route will begin at Fredrick Municipal Airport (KFDK), proceed down the Potomac River from the North, and turn into D.C. beyond the Lincoln Memorial, following along Independence Avenue. The parade of airplanes will break off to return to the Potomac River (continuing south) after passing some of the initial Smithsonian buildings, including the famed Smithsonian Castle. The entire journey, for aircraft returning to FDK, is 88 miles.
Since the path involves restricted airspace, the event will culminate more than two years of planning and coordination with 11 different government agencies, several within the FAA, and has required substantial paperwork and security and aircraft safety checks, said Mike Ginter, AOPA v-p of airports and state advocacy.
The Secret Service will be the final approval authority to get the aircraft into the prohibited area. “There have been monthly now down to weekly calls with this interagency group,” Ginter. “All the planning is done, and we are just waiting for the paper approvals. They are all very excited about this.” For the practice flight, the participants needed one Secret Service agent to check identification, and 12 showed up, he said.
As a result, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is closing for an hour during the flyover and KFDK for two hours.
The chapters cover different facts of general aviation, also including the post-war boom, the training era, vertical flight, home builds, backcountry, light sport, seaplanes, public service, the rapid growth period, airshow, safety and technology, corporate aviation, the power of one (single turboprops), and concluding the story will be the Titan aerobatic team with smoke trailing from those aircraft as an exclamation point to the display.
Participating aircraft include a Waco UPF–7, North American Navion, Douglas DC–3, Spartan Executive, Hatz biplane, and Beech Starship, along with more modern-day models aircraft such as the Robinson R44, Carbon Cub, and Icon A5.
The aircraft are coming from small towns across America representing the safety and versatility of the segment, a key message for the flyover, said Tom Haines, former editor-in-chief and senior v-p of media at AOPA. “It’s going to be a lot of fun to share that with everybody.”
In fact, AOPA coordinated with state governments to highlight this, and 20 state governors signed proclamations declaring May general aviation month and several decreed May 11 as general aviation flyover day.
Ginter added that this could serve as an important education effort of what general aviation is, how safe it is, and how accessible it can be.
The takeoff sequence is to begin at 11:30 a.m. from FDK with the D.C. flyover lasting from noon until 1 p.m. Most flying will occur at 90 knots with two and one-half minutes and 1,000 feet separation. Ginter stressed everything was designed, including the selected participants, with safety in mind. Every aircraft will be inspected before they take off.
AOPA completed a practice run in March with four aircraft, validating the route and the coordination of the event. Should weather not cooperate on May 11, the event will roll over to May 12.