Event to honor all branches of the military, featuring a celebration of "Gators in Space"; static military and civilian aircraft displays; classic cars; children’s activities; live music; food trucks, aircraft rides over “The Swamp”
GAINESVILLE, Fla., Feb. 12, 2025 – Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) and its FBO, the University Air Center (UAC) will once again host the popular Gator Fly-In and Armed Services Appreciation Day Saturday, March 22, 2025.
A fly-in is a gathering for pilots who arrive by air. The event takes place from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (pre-event pancake breakfast at 8:30 a.m.) at University Air Center, 4701 NE 40th Terrace, Gainesville, Fla. (Enter at General Aviation Entrance, Waldo Road) and is open to the public. Admission and parking are free, and a complimentary shuttle will be provided.
“Our annual Gator Fly-In and Armed Services Appreciation Day is our way of honoring all branches of the military, including some great dignitaries, military and civil aviators who will be flying in many different types of aircraft to the UAC for the event,” says Allan Penksa, CEO, Gainesville Regional Airport. “It’s an exciting day for our community — especially anyone who is curious about flight — to learn more about aviation. This year we are especially focused on celebrating 'Gators in Space'. And as always, we look forward to sharing this incredibly special celebration at our airport with the community.”
Celebrating Gators in Space and our Military
Planned events include opening ceremonies with a color guard and flyovers, most notably the “Flown West” ceremony for those who have gone before us. The pre-event fun begins with a continuation of our celebration of the late Col. Joe Kittinger, the first Gator in Space, with the third annual “Col. Joe ‘Pamcake’ Breakfast” at 8:30 a.m., with donations going to Col. Joe’s favorite charity, the International Sky Diving Museum & Hall of Fame (www.skydivingmuseum.org). In addition, Col. Joe’s autobiography, “Come Up and Get Me,” will be available for purchase at the event for $25. At 10 a.m., the gates will open to the public, with all participating aircraft in place. Opening ceremonies begin promptly at 11 a.m., with the National Anthem, sung by Mary Jo Wheeler, (USAF, ret.). At 11:15 a.m. a “Flown West” ceremony will commence, planned to include T34 Mentor and T6 Texan aircraft. In addition, invited dignitaries will make speeches. (Invited Distinguished Aviators include Dr. Robert Ferl, distinguished UF molecular biology professor and director of the new UF Astraeus Space Institute; Mike Ginter, Head of Airline Owner and Pilot’s Association’s [AOPA’s] Air Safety Institute, and U.S. National Aerobatic Champion Patty Wagstaff.) Veterans’ groups from the North Central Florida region have been invited to participate.
Static Display:
All branches of the military have been invited to fly in and participate in the event’s aircraft static displays. We also expect aircraft manufacturers, privately owned aircraft and law enforcement aircraft to be on display. In addition, the Swamp Launch Rocket Team plans to display rocketry at the event.
Best Aircraft Contest and People’s Choice Awards
A “Best Civilian Aircraft” and “People’s Choice: Best Aircraft” contest will be held, allowing event attendees to vote for their favorite aircraft at the Gator Fly-In. The two winners will be announced and presented with awards at 2:00 p.m.
Live Music, Classic Cars, Kids’ Activities and All-Day Food Trucks
Activities include touring static aircraft and car displays by ALR Imports and Gainesville Street Rods, military trucks, a kid’s corner with face painting, toy airplanes and coloring, arts and crafts vendors, and food trucks. Live Music by The Treetop Flyers will take place throughout the event. In addition to the “Col. Joe ‘Pamcake’ Breakfast” from 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m., food trucks and a variety of food vendors will operate throughout the event.
Aircraft Rides for purchase – Commemorative Air Force - Tampa Wing, Robinson 44 Helicopter, Bell 47-G and Cessna 172; “Swamp Tours”
For a fee, attendees can purchase rides in a variety of aircraft. Commemorative Air Force, Airbase Tampa will provide rides in several different aircraft, with specific information on how to sign up to be posted closer to the event.
Walk-up tickets can also be purchased at the event. In addition, UAC is offering “Swamp Tours” lasting about 15 minutes, in which passengers can fly over the UF Football Stadium in a Cessna 172 ($50) or a Bell 47-G or Robinson R-44 helicopter ($50).
A wide variety of general aviation, corporate, aerobatic, glider and homebuilt aircraft are expected at the Gator Fly-In.
All branches of the military have been invited to fly in and participate in the event’s static display. As of this news release, possible military aircraft include MH-60 Blackhawk, Boeing P-8 Poseidon, Lockheed P-3 Orion, North American T-6 Texan, Lockheed 26-B and T-34B Mentor, as well as Shandscair Helicopter and Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Helicopter, and Life South Bloodplane aircraft. Confirmed military aircraft will be updated as they are scheduled. We also expect aircraft manufacturers, privately owned aircraft and law enforcement aircraft to be on display. All aircraft and pilots are subject to change due to weather, mechanicals and availability.
A schedule for the day follows:
- 7 a.m. Vendors arrive for set up
- Pre-Event: 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. Third Annual Col. Joe “Pamcake” Breakfast
- 9 a.m. – aircraft arrive and park; all aircraft parked by 9:30 a.m.
- 10 a.m. – Public Arrive; helicopter and airplane rides begin
- 11 a.m. Opening Ceremony
- 11:15 a.m. Flown West Ceremony
- 11:20 p.m. Speakers begin
- 12 noon Live Music, food trucks
- 2:00 p.m. People’s choice and Best of Show Airplane Contest Announced
- 3 p.m. Final thank you and prep for departures
Please tell your flying friends and anyone who enjoys aviation. For more information on the Gator Fly-In and Armed Services Appreciation Day, please contact paml@universityaircenter.com or phone (352) 416-0787, visit the Gator Fly-In Facebook page or visit https://www.flygainesville.com.
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Email editor@
alachuatoday.com
Event to honor all branches of the military, featuring a celebration of "Gators in Space"; static military and civilian aircraft displays; classic cars; children’s activities; live music; food trucks, aircraft rides over “The Swamp”
GAINESVILLE, Fla., Feb. 12, 2025 – Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) and its FBO, the University Air Center (UAC) will once again host the popular Gator Fly-In and Armed Services Appreciation Day Saturday, March 22, 2025.
A fly-in is a gathering for pilots who arrive by air. The event takes place from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (pre-event pancake breakfast at 8:30 a.m.) at University Air Center, 4701 NE 40th Terrace, Gainesville, Fla. (Enter at General Aviation Entrance, Waldo Road) and is open to the public. Admission and parking are free, and a complimentary shuttle will be provided.
“Our annual Gator Fly-In and Armed Services Appreciation Day is our way of honoring all branches of the military, including some great dignitaries, military and civil aviators who will be flying in many different types of aircraft to the UAC for the event,” says Allan Penksa, CEO, Gainesville Regional Airport. “It’s an exciting day for our community — especially anyone who is curious about flight — to learn more about aviation. This year we are especially focused on celebrating 'Gators in Space'. And as always, we look forward to sharing this incredibly special celebration at our airport with the community.”
Celebrating Gators in Space and our Military
Planned events include opening ceremonies with a color guard and flyovers, most notably the “Flown West” ceremony for those who have gone before us. The pre-event fun begins with a continuation of our celebration of the late Col. Joe Kittinger, the first Gator in Space, with the third annual “Col. Joe ‘Pamcake’ Breakfast” at 8:30 a.m., with donations going to Col. Joe’s favorite charity, the International Sky Diving Museum & Hall of Fame (www.skydivingmuseum.org). In addition, Col. Joe’s autobiography, “Come Up and Get Me,” will be available for purchase at the event for $25. At 10 a.m., the gates will open to the public, with all participating aircraft in place. Opening ceremonies begin promptly at 11 a.m., with the National Anthem, sung by Mary Jo Wheeler, (USAF, ret.). At 11:15 a.m. a “Flown West” ceremony will commence, planned to include T34 Mentor and T6 Texan aircraft. In addition, invited dignitaries will make speeches. (Invited Distinguished Aviators include Dr. Robert Ferl, distinguished UF molecular biology professor and director of the new UF Astraeus Space Institute; Mike Ginter, Head of Airline Owner and Pilot’s Association’s [AOPA’s] Air Safety Institute, and U.S. National Aerobatic Champion Patty Wagstaff.) Veterans’ groups from the North Central Florida region have been invited to participate.
Static Display:
All branches of the military have been invited to fly in and participate in the event’s aircraft static displays. We also expect aircraft manufacturers, privately owned aircraft and law enforcement aircraft to be on display. In addition, the Swamp Launch Rocket Team plans to display rocketry at the event.
Best Aircraft Contest and People’s Choice Awards
A “Best Civilian Aircraft” and “People’s Choice: Best Aircraft” contest will be held, allowing event attendees to vote for their favorite aircraft at the Gator Fly-In. The two winners will be announced and presented with awards at 2:00 p.m.
Live Music, Classic Cars, Kids’ Activities and All-Day Food Trucks
Activities include touring static aircraft and car displays by ALR Imports and Gainesville Street Rods, military trucks, a kid’s corner with face painting, toy airplanes and coloring, arts and crafts vendors, and food trucks. Live Music by The Treetop Flyers will take place throughout the event. In addition to the “Col. Joe ‘Pamcake’ Breakfast” from 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m., food trucks and a variety of food vendors will operate throughout the event.
Aircraft Rides for purchase – Commemorative Air Force - Tampa Wing, Robinson 44 Helicopter, Bell 47-G and Cessna 172; “Swamp Tours”
For a fee, attendees can purchase rides in a variety of aircraft. Commemorative Air Force, Airbase Tampa will provide rides in several different aircraft, with specific information on how to sign up to be posted closer to the event.
Walk-up tickets can also be purchased at the event. In addition, UAC is offering “Swamp Tours” lasting about 15 minutes, in which passengers can fly over the UF Football Stadium in a Cessna 172 ($50) or a Bell 47-G or Robinson R-44 helicopter ($50).
A wide variety of general aviation, corporate, aerobatic, glider and homebuilt aircraft are expected at the Gator Fly-In.
All branches of the military have been invited to fly in and participate in the event’s static display. As of this news release, possible military aircraft include MH-60 Blackhawk, Boeing P-8 Poseidon, Lockheed P-3 Orion, North American T-6 Texan, Lockheed 26-B and T-34B Mentor, as well as Shandscair Helicopter and Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Helicopter, and Life South Bloodplane aircraft. Confirmed military aircraft will be updated as they are scheduled. We also expect aircraft manufacturers, privately owned aircraft and law enforcement aircraft to be on display. All aircraft and pilots are subject to change due to weather, mechanicals and availability.
A schedule for the day follows:
- 7 a.m. Vendors arrive for set up
- Pre-Event: 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. Third Annual Col. Joe “Pamcake” Breakfast
- 9 a.m. – aircraft arrive and park; all aircraft parked by 9:30 a.m.
- 10 a.m. – Public Arrive; helicopter and airplane rides begin
- 11 a.m. Opening Ceremony
- 11:15 a.m. Flown West Ceremony
- 11:20 p.m. Speakers begin
- 12 noon Live Music, food trucks
- 2:00 p.m. People’s choice and Best of Show Airplane Contest Announced
- 3 p.m. Final thank you and prep for departures
Please tell your flying friends and anyone who enjoys aviation. For more information on the Gator Fly-In and Armed Services Appreciation Day, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or phone (352) 416-0787, visit the Gator Fly-In Facebook page or visit https://www.flygainesville.com.
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Email editor@
alachuatoday.com