FAA OKs Mega Flyover of National Mall on VE Day Anniversary

A fleet of historic planes has been given permission by the Federal Aviation Adminstration to fly over the National Mall next month to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Allied victory in World War II, according to a news release from organizers.

The Arsenal of Democracy: WWII Victory Capitol Flyover recently announced the FAA’s OK for the flyover to take place in restricted airspace over the nation’s capital on May 8, the 70th anniversary of the Allied Victory in Europe.

The “Arsenal of Democracy” in World War II was a slogan used by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in a radio broadcast delivered on Dec. 29, 1940.

During the flyover, a diverse array of World War II aircraft will fly in historically sequenced formations to commemorate the War’s major battles, from Pearl Harbor to D-Day, ending with a missing man formation to “Taps.” The first plane will fly over the Lincoln Memorial May 8 at 12:10 p.m., organizers said.

The approvals will permit a wide variety of vintage aircraft to fly in restricted airspace along the National Mall after flyover organizers documented how these flight operations will be conducted safely and within safety parameters established by the FAA, according to organizers.

The FAA noted that the “public interest is served by the educational and historic value of this single signature event in commemorating this significant milestone in history.”

The Flyover’s Executive Committee includes:

• Commemorative Air Force President and CEO Stephan C. Brown
• General Aviation Manufacturers Association President and CEO Pete Bunce
• International Council of Air Shows President John Cudahy
• National Air Traffic Controllers Association President Paul Rinaldi
• Doug Rozendaal of the Texas Flying Legends Museum

“We are extremely grateful to the FAA for working with us so diligently to clear the airspace along the National Mall and allow the Flyover to occur on the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day,” organizers said in a news release. “The FAA has been a tremendous partner in allowing us to safely stage this historic event that recognizes the thousands of heroes fighting in the War and those on the home front who manufactured the tanks, ships, and aircraft that enabled the United States and its Allies to achieve victory.”

PHOTOS: P-51D Mustang photo courtesy of Texas Flying Legends Museum; Midway art from Arsenal of Democracy; map of flyover