Party at the Flightline Cookout

Tickets are selling out fast to the Flightline Cookout at the AOPA Fly-In at Frederick, Maryland, on May 10. Sponsored by Jeppesen, the Flightline Cookout will kick off at 5 p.m. with a grand tribute to AOPA’s eightieth anniversary as a Stearman tows a gigantic celebration banner above the flight line.

Immediately following the banner tow, six C-47s and DC-3s will depart Frederick Municipal Airport to form up for a special treat while aircraft assemble to show off their short takeoff and landing capabilities in the STOL Invitational sponsored by American Legend Aircraft Co., Aviat Husky, and Goodyear Aviation. AOPA staff pilots will be getting in on the competition, with AOPA President Mark Baker flying his Super Cub on floats, Air Safety Institute Executive Director Richard McSpadden flying his Navion, AOPA Editor at Large Dave Hirschman flying a Super Cub on tires, and AOPA Pilot Information Specialist and IA Carlo Cilliers in an AirCam. They’ll be up against pilots flying a Rans S-7, Aviat Husky, Stearman, Legend Cub, and Carbon Cub, to name a few.

After the STOL Invitational, the D-Day Squadron of C-47s and DC-3s will overfly the field for a touching tribute to our World War II veterans. The aircraft will drop Liberty Jump Team members in period dress, using period parachutes as a re-creation of the Allied aircraft and paratroopers who stormed Normandy on June 6, 1944.

Live entertainment in the Flightline Cookout area will segue to a spectacular nighttime drone light show. The Great Lakes Drone Company will launch 80 or more drones in honor of AOPA’s anniversary and perform aerial works of arts that will keep you mesmerized.

Also during the Flightline Cookout, AOPA President Mark Baker will be on hand with predecessors Craig Fuller and Phil Boyer to chat and sign copies of the AOPA’s eightieth anniversary book, Freedom to Fly.

The events are free, but to enjoy the show from 5 to 9:30 p.m. with all-you-can-eat food, be sure to purchase your tickets in advance so you don’t risk dinner selling out. Tickets are $20 in advance for adults and $10 in advance for children 12 and under.

The warbirds and STOL Invitational will perform again on Saturday, May 11, at noon, but the drone show will only be on Friday night. In addition, on Saturday after the STOL Invitational, AOPA will host a sweepstakes giveaway for a pair of 26-inch Goodyear smooth tubeless tundra tires.