Aerial Flyover Requests

PLEASE NOTE: These requests require a 90 day lead time in order to facilitate the required approvals

Anyone can request a West Virginia National Guard Army or Air flyover for their particular event.

A public affairs flyover is a single straight and level flight by not more than four of the same type military aircraft from a single service over a predetermined point on the ground at a specific time and not involving aerobatics or demonstrations. The event must meet Dept. of Defense and appropriate service public affairs criteria and be approved by the Federal Aviation Administration prior to the aviation support occurring.

In order to request a West Virginia Air National Guard (C-130 Hercules/C-17 Globemaster III) flyover, please visit: www.airshows.pa.hq.af.mil

For a West Virginia Army Guard flyover, you must request the flyover through the DSCA Office via a DD Form 2535 – See below -and send to andrew.d.higginbotham.ctr@army.mil. This will then go to the Department of the Army for consideration.

Once you are approved, you may contact the West Virginia National Guard via Mr. Andy Higginbotham at andrew.d.higginbotham.ctr@army.mil. Please note, while waiting on your eligibility, coordination can be done concurrently. Once your request is approved, you are “eligible” to have the military participate in your event, but it is not guaranteed. It’s based on mission requirements, aircraft availability and weather among other factors.

Here’s an example of how to fill out a DD 2535, download HERE: DD2535 Example (PDF format).

Download a blank form HERE: DD Form 2535, 2016 edition (PDF format).

Requesting a flyover requires FAA approval on the DD2535 as well. Ensure you have enough time to reach out to your local FAA representative to get your event approved by them on the form before you send it to the Public Affairs office. We cannot process a DD2535, for a flyover, without FAA approval. You can find your local FAA office here.

Some things to keep in mind

• You cannot have both a flyover and a static display for an event. It is one or the other.
• For a static display, the helicopter must land before the event starts, when there are not people around the landing area and will need to take off after the event site is cleared of people.
• Due to the majority of our force being a ‘part-time force” we have to staff events with the availability of our service members. Our service members still do have training and administrative requirements that need to be met on an annual basis. Even if a unit is local to you and is fully staffed, they may not have the ability to support an event due to requirements the service members must complete.
• Requests are taken on a first come, first serve basis. Regardless of who is requesting support.
• Precedence for supporting holiday events/parades falls to the 5 major patriotic holidays listed on the “Basic Support Guidelines”
• After being vetted, an event may warrant a hold harmless be sent to the requestor. If not filled out, we cannot send support to the event.
• Attendees will not be permitted to climb on, ride in, or operate any of our equipment, nor can we haul things with our vehicles for the event. These are displays only.