Two for one: Fly-in and airshow in capital region

The two events are just over 60 miles apart, located close to Washington, D.C., the nation’s capital, making it the perfect excuse for you to plan a long weekend to visit the area.

Join us as we celebrate 80 years of serving pilots and advocating for the freedom to fly on May 10 and 11 at our home base at Frederick Municipal Airport in central Maryland. (Our actual anniversary follows later in the week on May 15!) We’ll be featuring several DC–3s and C–47s from the D-Day Squadron as they prepare to fly north and head across the Atlantic Ocean to commemorate the seventy-fifth anniversary of D-Day over the beaches of Normandy on June 6. We’ll even have a special demonstration, sponsored by Signature Flight Support, with paratroopers using period chutes to jump from the aircraft on May 10.

Then, on May 11 and 12, the Joint Base Andrews Air Show kicks off with demonstrations by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and U.S. Navy Blue Angels in addition to flights overhead of the KC–135, F–16 Fighting Falcon, and the UH–1N Iroquois.

“We wanted to overlap our AOPA Fly-In with the world-renowned Joint Base Andrews Air Show in May so that pilots could make a full, long weekend out of their visit to the National Capital Region,” said Chris Eads, AOPA senior director of outreach. “We coordinated with Joint Base Andrews leadership in selecting the date, and they thought overlapping the events by one day was a great idea.

“Our Fly-In kicks off on Friday, the day before the airshow, and overlaps with Andrews on Saturday. The Andrews airshow continues on Sunday, so it is the perfect opportunity for you to take in both events.”

On May 10, The D-Day Squadron will fly over and paratroopers will jump, before all the aircraft join back up to go on static display for the rest of Friday and Saturday. Also on Friday, AOPA Fly-In attendees can enjoy chowing down at the FlightLine Cookout presented by Jeppesen while watching a STOL Invitational and night drone show!

Educational seminars, hands-on workshops, a Pilot Town Hall with AOPA President Mark Baker, exhibit hall, and aircraft display will be featured on both days of the event.

Aerial demonstrations by the Thunderbirds, Blue Angels, and various military and general aviation aircraft will take place on both days of the Joint Base Andrews Air Show on May 11 and 12.

“With a lineup like this, you’ll be able to enjoy both shows without missing a beat!” Eads said.

We’ll see you in May! And don’t forget to let us know you are coming!

Coming to the AOPA Fly-In? Check in with fellow pilots in advance through the AOPA Fly-In Hub.