Postponed: Historic Aircraft To Fly Over DC

Updated (Sept. 25, 12:30 p.m.): The Arsenal of Democracy fly over scheduled for Friday morning has been postponed until Saturday at 11:30 a.m. due to inclement weather.

WASHINGTON, DC — Approximately 60 historic aircraft will be winging their way over the National Mall Friday to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the World War II victory.

Beginning at about 11:30 a.m., planes with the Arsenal of Democracy will fly over the National Mall in two-minute intervals. The separate flyovers will commemorate significant WWII battles, with the final flyover featuring a missing man formation. Livestream coverage of the flyover will began at 10 a.m.

More than 20 different types of aircraft will be flying on Friday, including P-40 Warhawk, P-39 Airacobra, P-51 Mustang, F4U Corsair, B-25 Mitchell, B-17 Flying Fortress, B-29 Superfortress, and many others.

Participating aircraft will be held about 10 miles west of Leesburg, before they begin their flight down the Potomac River toward D.C. The first formation is expected to reach the Lincoln Memorial at 11:30 a.m. Once there, the formations will turn east, proceed down Independence Avenue, and then turn south to begin their flight back down the river and to their original airports.

Arsenal of Democracy is organized by General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATC), International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) and Commemorative Air Force (CAF).

Due to the coronavirus pandemic and Mayor Muriel Bowser's health emergency declaration, District health officials are asking the public to refrain from traveling to the D.C. landmarks in large groups to watch the flyovers.