D-Day Squadron DC-3s Participate at Smithsonian’s Innovations in Flight

PRESS RELEASE

Oxford, Connecticut – June 16, 2022 – On Saturday, June 18, four DC-3s of the D-Day Squadron will fly in and display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia for the annual Innovation in Flight event, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Each aircraft made the journey to Europe in June 2019 and crews will be attending, available for interviews, show their aircraft and interact with the public. A free public screening of the film, “Into Flight Once More,” will take place at 10:00 a.m. in the Airbus IMAX Theatre.

The aircraft involved are C-47 Clipper Tabitha May based in Manassas, Va., C-47 Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber based in Paso Robles, Ca., C-47 Miss Virginia based in Bridgewater, Va., and C-53 Spirit of Benovia based in Aurora, Or. Rod Moyer, Dynamic Aviation’s director of safety and pilot for Miss Virginia, is serving as mission chief pilot for this event.

“On behalf of Dynamic Aviation, we are thrilled to partner with the D-Day Squadron and DC-3 Society representing vintage aircraft at this year’s event,” shares Moyer. “Outreach and education are a priority for many of our organizations while also honoring the veterans who came before us, having flown and crewed these flying museums.”

Two of the participating aircraft, Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber and Spirit of Benovia, with DC-3 N18121, just participated in the film premier and WWII Memorial Weekend in Dayton Oh., hosted by the National Museum of the United States Air Force, June 4-5. Following the film premier, these aircraft then flew to Bridgewater Va., on DDay78, June 6, to complete a D-Day Aerial Tribute formation flight led by C-47 Miss Virginia of Dynamic Aviation over the Shenandoah Valley.

“As a DC-3 Society member, we’re always eager to share our vintage C-47 with the public. This June has offered multiple D-Day Squadron events and flying missions where these historic machines are meant to fly, display, and educate people of all ages,” added Scott Stelzle, chief operations officer for the Estrella Warbird Museum, home of C-47 Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber.

INTO FLIGHT ONCE MORE, the D-Day Squadron’s film, produced by Sound Off Films and narrated by Gary Sinise, is now available to watch on Hulu, Apple TV, YouTube, and Prime Video. The film brings to life the stories of WWII veterans, crews, and a most historic reenactment of “Operation Overlord,” the codename for the Battle of Normandy, which took place on June 6, 1944.

For more event information from the D-Day Squadron: https://ddaysquadron.org/events/

Follow the D-Day Squadron flyovers, events, and other missions on Facebook, and Instagram. Subscribe to the YouTube Channel for the latest video productions.

Moreno Aguiari

Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.

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