The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has announced its new partnership with the Great Lakes Drone Company, allowing AOPA to bring one-of-a-kind light shows to all three 2019 AOPA Regional Fly-In events.
Each light show presentation will include more than 80 specialized drone aircraft taking to the sky for an amazing and entertaining light display, set to music. This partnership comes ahead of AOPA celebrating its 80th anniversary and continuing to make each fly-in a celebration to remember. AOPA in partnership with the Great Lakes Drone Company will present the latest in drone entertainment at each fly-in.
AOPA welcomed remote pilots into its membership in early 2017 and continues to work with the FAA and others in the industry to ensure safe integration of drones into the national airspace.
“Drones are ever-evolving and really becoming a valuable piece of our aviation ecosystem with technology to help advance several industries,” said AOPA Senior Director of UAS Programs Kat Swain. “It’s an exciting time to partner with Great Lakes Drone Company and have them bring the latest in drone entertainment and light shows to our events,” Swain continued.
The Great Lakes Drone Company created this brand-new twist on the popular night airshow, adding unmanned aircraft to the mix for the first time in 2018 at EAA AirVenture. The FAA granted the Michigan firm a waiver in 2017, just the third of its kind, according to Great Lakes Drone Company Director of Operations Matt Quinn. “We are excited to be part of AOPA’s 80th anniversary celebration in 2019. It truly is a privilege to be a part of this community.”
The first of the shows, the 80th Anniversary Star Dance will be at the AOPA Frederick, Maryland Fly-In on Friday, May 10 beginning at 9 p.m. The performance will be the closing act for the show that evening following other aerial demonstrations, including the D-Day Squadron and a short takeoff and landing (STOL) invitational. Attendees of AOPA’s Livermore and Tullahoma Fly-Ins will also be able to view the spectacle on June 21 and September 13.
For more information on this partnership and the 2019 AOPA Regional Fly-Ins visit here.
