Once in a lifetime

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon temporarily blocks the entirety of the sun leaving only a bright outline visible. Usually, a total solar eclipse only occurs in the same location every 375 years. The first major eclipse of the sun in North America since 2017 will be visible on Monday, April 8, from Mexico, 14 U.S. states, and southeastern Canada. This is a much longer event than the August 21, 2017, event, with a wider path of totality. AOPA contacted the nearly 400 airports in the path of the April eclipse and found many have planned events, and many are offering camping, discounts on avgas, and deals on those all-important eclipse glasses. Check AOPA’s airport directory event listings for activities on that date, or add ones if we missed them in our search. The eclipse passes through central Mexico in the morning, crossing over the Texas border at around 12:30 CDT. So, starting in the early hours of the eclipse in the United States, and extending to the longest time in the path of totality, here’s what we found:

Texas

• Curtis Field Airport (BBD), Brady, Texas. Plans are underway for an eclipse celebration at one of the first airports in the path of totality.

• McGregor Executive Airport (PWG), McGregor, Texas. FBO Jag Aviation is working with the cities of McGregor and Waco to mark the event at the airport with food trucks and also plans to host a “Garmin Day” as they are a dealer.

• Dallas Executive Airport (RBD), Dallas County, Texas, plans to welcome pilots with discounts, food trucks, and eclipse glasses. The management is also planning a commemorative souvenir for visitors.

• Gatesville Municipal Airport (GOP), Gatesville, Texas. GOP welcomes pilots wishing to observe the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Pilots should be aware that there is a limited fuel supply and should not rely on fuel being available. Pilots should bring their own tiedowns. Overnight camping will be permitted.

• Stephenville Clark Regional Airport (SEP), Stephenville, Texas, reports that nearby Tarleton State University will have events during the eclipse.

• Wood County Airport Collins Field (JDD), Mineola, Texas, welcomes pilots to fly in and camp; a 24/7 bathroom and shower are available. JDD also plans to have a food truck on site.

Arkansas

• Morrilton Municipal Airport (BDQ), Morrilton, Arkansas, has plans to celebrate the event; call ahead for details.

• Heber Springs Municipal Airport (HBZ), Heber Springs, Arkansas, will be celebrating the event from April 6 through 8 with live bands, food trucks, and on-site camping “Oshkosh style.”

• Walnut Ridge Regional Airport (ARG), Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. The Walnut Ridge Airport, Wings of Honor Museum, and Williams Baptist University are combining efforts to celebrate “Solar Eclipse Weekend” with events April 6 through 8. There will be patriotic bands each day, the museum will be open to visitors, and food will be available. The museum and university are within walking distance of ARG.

Missouri

• Poplar Bluff Municipal Airport (POF), Poplar Bluff, Missouri. The airport will be taking reservations for arrivals (encouraging camping overnight) as the City of Poplar Bluff is hosting a full slate of activities April 5 through 8 with 20 viewing sites and including musical performances, speakers from NASA, and a Jeff Foxworthy concert. The length of totality here is 4 minutes, 9 seconds.

• Perryville Regional Airport (PCD), Perryville, Missouri. The city of Perryville will host activities beginning Saturday April 6 through April 8. The “Perryville Solarfest” will include hot air balloons, museum openings, food trucks, and more. At PCD, there will be no fees to land and discounted avgas on April 8.

Many airports along the path of totality are planning events; there may be events at other airports, but we have only listed those in the path who responded to our inquiry here. If you know of other events, please share them to AOPA's Airport Directory.

Illinois

• Lawrenceville-Vincennes International Airport (LWV), Lawrenceville, Illinois. Mid-American Air Center will be participating in the “Dancing in the Dark” celebration including a hangar dance on Sunday night and food vendors and beer tents.

• Mt. Vernon Outland Airport (MVN), Mount Vernon, Illinois. Lots of freebies here on April 8: free admission, free camping, free parking, and free shuttles to area hotels. Food and fuel discounts, too.

Indiana

• Eagle Creek Airpark (EYE), Indianapolis, Indiana, is one of the several airports in the Indianapolis Airport Authority located in the path of totality (TYQ, BAK, GEZ, MOJ). All IAA airports will have events—and most have high time in totality, but Eagle Creek is an official NASA watch site because of its location near the Indianapolis Speedway.

• Anderson Municipal Airport (AID), Anderson, Indiana. The airport will welcome visitors from noon until 5 p.m. on April 8; if you are flying in, please make reservations. Free certified solar eclipse glasses will be distributed to every spectator. There will be a DJ, food trucks, and photo opportunities. Attendees may purchase a custom-designed eclipse shirt.

• Randolph County Airport (I22), Winchester, Indiana, welcomes pilots and campers during the event with prior reservations.

• Daviess County Airport (DCY), Washington, Indiana. DCY will serve as a parking lot for those wishing to fly into the area and enjoy the neighboring eclipse events. There will be shuttles running daily to the events in town as well events at the airport. DCY will also be closed to the public so the airport can focus on and better serve projected aircraft traffic. Time in totality here is 3 minutes, 58 seconds.

Ohio

• Allen County Regional Airport (AOH), Lima, Ohio, will have ramp and grass strip aircraft parking, eclipse viewing glasses for sale, and camping available at the nearby fairgrounds.

• Lake County Executive Airport (LNN), Willoughby, Ohio. Join the “Watch Party” at LNN where there will be music, food trucks, and free activities from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on April 8. Aircraft should make reservations.

• Findlay Airport (FDY), Findlay, Ohio. Open for camping at the airport by reservation.

• Lorain County Regional Airport (LPR), Lorain, Ohio. Food trucks, a VIP viewing lounge, and the airport is selling certified eclipse glasses.

• Lakefield Airport (CQA), Celina, Ohio, welcomes pilots and offers two courtesy cars to drive into the local area for events.

• Huron County Airport (5A1), Norwalk, Ohio. Make reservations for camping; food trucks and entertainment.

• Port Bucyrus-Crawford Co. Airport (17G), Bucyrus, Ohio. Aircraft parking by reservation.

• Union County Airport (MRT), Marysville, Ohio. Solar Eclipse Fly-In, 11 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Union County Airport is in the zone of totality for almost 3 minutes. Fly-In early for a BBQ lunch featuring Triple P Barbeque Co., then watch the eclipse.

New York

• Massena International Airport (MSS), St. Lawrence County, New York, is making plans to welcome pilots.

• Adirondack Regional Airport (SLK), Saranac Lake, New York, is participating in the events planned for “Saranac Lake’s Solar Fest,” which include music, food, and art exhibits. Time in totality here is 3 minutes, 28 seconds.

• Watertown International Airport (ART), Watertown, New York. ART is ready—they’ve ordered more than 3,000 eclipse viewing glasses! Reserve a spot on the ramp.

Vermont

• Northeast Kingdom International Airport (EFK), Jay Peak, Vermont. Jay Peak will be the closest major ski area in the United States to the total eclipse. Free outdoor shows and commemorative posters during “The Whiteout.”

Maine

• Presque Isle International Airport (PQI), Presque Isle, Maine. The last time a solar eclipse was in Maine was July 20, 1963. Presque Isle is the last stop in the United States on April 8. The City of Presque Isle will have many events during the “Star City Eclipse.”

All airports mentioned can be looked up in the AOPA Airport Directory and if we missed yours, we are sorry. Contact your local airport for information and use AOPA’s 2024 Eclipse Content Pack for ForeFlight for help in finding airports in the path of totality