In the United States (US), a spectacular display featuring 58 aircraft is to fly over the skies of the nation’s capital, Washington DC, celebrating the story of General Aviation.
Crowds gathered in Washington DC will see aircraft spanning 15 different chapters of US aviation history as planes and helicopters fly an 88-mile route, beginning at Frederick Municipal Airport (FDK) on May 11, 2024, at 11:30 local time.
The show-stopping event has been organized by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), which will also be celebrating its 80th anniversary on the same day.
Dubbed the ‘National Celebration of General Aviation’, the display will culminate in a flyover that passes the National Mall from noon to 13:00.
As the 58 aircraft make their journey, they will flyover the Potomac River, above the Lincoln Memorial, down Independence Avenue, and past the Washington Monument.
The event will take place over one of Washington’s most restricted flight zones. As a result, it will see Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) closed for 60 minutes and FDK for two hours.
And if you can’t be there in person, a live stream of the flyover will be beamed around the world from 11:45 on AOPA’s YouTube channel – @flywithaopa.
Heads up! Be aware that Saturday, 5/11, around noon, 60 planes representing the history of general aviation will fly down the Potomac and over the National Mall. The permitted event is closely coordinated with the FAA, Secret Service, and other agencies. #WashingtonDC pic.twitter.com/DZKKmFa6CL
— National Mall NPS (@NationalMallNPS) May 9, 2024
The formation, which consists of 24 aircraft groups, will be led by AOPA President Mark Baker in his historic Beechcraft Staggerwing.
Accompanying his aircraft will be a Waco UPF–7, North American Navion, Douglas DC–3, Spartan Executive, Hatz biplane, and Beech Starship, as well as modern-day aircraft such as the Robinson R44, Carbon Cub and Icon A5.
According to AOPA, the aircraft will be flown by some of the most accomplished pilots in the US.
The Titan Aerobatic Team, formerly AeroShell, will conclude the flyover.
Here is the rundown of the 58 aircraft set to fly at the event:
Golden Age
Beechcraft Staggerwing
Howard DGA
Waco UPF-7
Fairchild 24
Post-War Boom
Cessna 170
Piper Tri-Pacer
Beechcraft Bonanza
Globe Swift
North American Navion
The Trainer Era
Cessna 172
Piper Super Cub
Piper Archer
Vertical Flight
Robinson R-44
Enstrom 480B
Airbus EC-120B
Backcountry Getaway
Carbon Cub
Husky
Cessna 180
Kodiak
Light Sport
Van’s RV-12
TL Sport Sting
ICON A5
Seaplane Freedom
Cessna Caravan
Cessna 182
Lake Amphibian
de Havilland Beaver
Homebuilt planes
Hatz
Van’s Aircraft RV-4
Van’s Aircraft RV-8
Van’s Aircraft RV-9
Rapid Growth
Rockwell Commander
Beechcraft Bonanza
Cessna 182
Beechcraft Baron
Mooney
Grumman Cheetah
Public service flying
Fireboss AT-802
HU-16 Albatross
Airshow Spectacle
One Design Gamebird
Pitts 2SC
American Champion Super Decathlon
Douglas DC-3
Spartan Executive
Safety & Technology
Diamond DA40 (diesel technology)
Cirrus SR22 (composite technology)
Beechcraft Starship
Cirrus SF50
Piper 700 Fury
Corporate Aircraft
King Air 200
Lear 35
Citation CJ-3
The Power of One
TBM-850
Piper Meridian
Titan Aerobatic One
T-6G
SNJ-5
AT-6
AT-6C