FAYETTEVILLE, Ark — Steuart Walton, chairman of the Arkansas Economic Recovery Task Force, will lead a fleet of World War II military aircraft in a 15-city, statewide flyover on Saturday, May 9 to honor frontline heroes in the fight against COVID-19.
The four aircraft – one Goodyear F2G Super Corsair 1944 and three North American P51 Mustangs - will depart at 8 a.m. from Thaden Field in Bentonville.
The aircraft will then align into formation and fly laps around hospitals in Springdale and Fayetteville at approximately 8:20 a.m. Northwest Arkansas residents are encouraged to step outside and view the formation.
Each plane will be cruising at approximately 250 miles per hour at an altitude of 1,000 feet when above densely populated areas.
WWII era aircraft
Walton, an accomplished pilot, was appointed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson in April to lead the task force whose mission is to provide recommendations for effectively and responsibly reviving Arkansas’ economy.
The theme of the flyover is “Arkansas: A United State,” which Walton says is an important message to communicate.
“Every person in every corner of this state matters and we are united in our common resiliency, our grit, our determination and our faith in one another,” Walton said. “Social distancing prohibits us from shaking the hands of people we want to honor, but this flyover allows to do so from above. Just as a flyover event like this requires people to work together, so, too, does overcoming the challenges of this multi-faceted crisis. It’s important to get the message out that Arkansans are united in this effort.”
Walton calls flying a family passion. His grandfather, Walmart founder Sam Walton, would fly a plane over Walmart store parking lots in the early years of the retailer to count cars as an indication of business activity.
The Arkansas Economic Recovery Task Force has developed informational and educational resources to help businesses, non-profits and consumers re-engage with the state’s economy and can be found at www.arkansasready.com.
“Arkansas: A United State” Flyover Itinerary
- 8:00 a.m. Departs Thaden Field/Bentonville
- 8:20 a.m. Springdale and Fayetteville w/laps around hospitals
- 9:00 a.m. Fort Smith – 2 laps
- 9:20 a.m. Russellville – 2 laps
- 9:35 a.m. Conway – 2 laps
- 9:45 a.m. Little Rock – 2 laps around UAMS and other centrally located hospitals
- 10:15 a.m. Land at Little Rock National Airport and taxi to Tac Air
- 11:30 a.m. Departs Little Rock
- 11:45 a.m Hot Springs – 2 laps
- 12:20 p.m. Texarkana – 2 laps
- 12:45 p.m. El Dorado – 2 laps
- 1:15 p.m Pine Bluff – 2 laps
- 1:30 p.m. Land at Grider Field @ Pine Bluff Regional Airport
- 2:30 p.m. Departs Pine Bluff
- 3:00 p.m. Searcy – 2 laps
- 3:20 p.m. Jonesboro – 2 laps
- 4:00 p.m. Mountain Home flyover
- 4:15 p.m. Harrison – 1 lap
- 4:35 p.m. Rogers – 2 laps around Mercy Hospital
- 4:45 p.m. Land at Thaden Field/Bentonville