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The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association will fly 56 aircraft over the National Mall on Saturday in a celebration of aviation in the works for more than a year.
The event will feature a wide array of aircraft representing virtually every chapter of general aviation鈥檚 storied history, the association said in a news release. The event celebrates “the value the general aviation industry has provided to our nation since 1939.”
The flight, leaving from Frederick Municipal Airport in Maryland around 11:30 a.m. and scheduled for about noon, takes place over one of Washington鈥檚 most restricted flight zones,聽.
Spectators on the ground and online will watch the aircraft fly above the Lincoln Memorial, down Independence Avenue and past the Washington Monument.
鈥淭he idea to celebrate the many contributions of general aviation to our nation鈥檚 communities began over a year ago, and we鈥檝e had countless meetings and planning sessions with officials from the FAA, TSA, and Secret Service for the route, airspace, aircraft, and pilots,鈥� said AOPA Vice President of Airports and State Advocacy Mike Ginter in the release. 鈥淲e greatly appreciate the support from these partner agencies and getting the final approval was great news. We鈥檙e ready to go!鈥�
The aircraft, comprising 15 different 鈥渃hapters,鈥� will tell the story of general aviation in the United States, from the Golden Age, to World War II, the general aviation trainer era, vertical flight, backcountry flying, seaplanes, corporate and business aviation, technically advanced aircraft, homebuilt aircraft, airshow 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 before departure, the release said. All pilots and crews were required to pass a security screening, and every detail of the flyover was carefully planned with the government agencies.
More information on the event, route and planned aircraft can be found on AOPA鈥檚 GA Flyover campaign聽.
If you can’t make it in person, the flyover will be broadcast live on the association鈥檚聽. There will also be watch parties at area airports and other gathering places.
