Purdue Aviation Day

History ~ Since 1911 The first Purdue Aviation Day was held in 1911 on a grass landing strip, where the present-day Elliot Hall is located. Nearly 17,000 spectators from the region gathered to watch as two biplanes took to the sky.​ Present Day ~ Student Event Organized exclusively by student leaders within Purdue University's School of Aviation & Transportation Technology, Purdue Aviation Day (PAD), seeks to bring the industry and the Greater Lafayette community together in one big celebration of aviation. Performance by A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team. This will be the A-10C Demonstration Team's last season, aligning with the Air Force's divestment of the A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft. For over four decades, numerous pilots and teams have showcased the A-10's capabilities at hundreds of air shows across various countries.