Famous Miami All-American Air Manueuvers become annual tradition

You can’t talk about Miami’s place in U.S. aviation history without mentioning the All-American Air Maneuvers that (with the exception of three years during WWII) took place at or near Miami’s Municipal Airport every year between 1929 and 1952.

Spectacular start to banner week for Miami aviation

The first All-American Air Maneuvers were held concurrently with the grand openings of two new major Miami airports: the city’s Municipal Airport at Gratigny and Le Jeune Road and Pan American Airways’ privately-owned NW 36th Street international airport. The apex of the celebrations was reached over January 7-9, 1929. Two days of air maneuvers at the Municipal Airport, on January 7th and 8th, saw 5000 persons turn out to watch some 60 planes perform across multiple events. On January 9th, spectators attending the inaugural ceremonies at Pan Am’s new airport witnessed no less than five inaugural flights to points across the Caribbean and West Indies. The week-long commemorations were accompanied by parties, speeches and events around town and attracted an international host of visiting dignitaries, including famed American flyer Amelia Earhart and British aviatrix Lady Heath of London. It was a triumphant, banner week for Miami aviation history.

Annual event promotes recognition of Miami as “City of Aviation”

Held annually thereafter, usually early in the year, Miami’s All American Air Maneuvers consistently drew thousands of spectators from all over the world. Popular events included the pylon races (where aircraft would fly at low altitudes to race around pylons situated at both ends of the field) and simulated aerial combat. Onlookers could hope to rub shoulders with the aviation greats of the times and distinguished visitors from around the globe. The Air Meets provided glamor, and fun, and introduced several generations to the wonders aloft. Organized by the Greater Miami Aviation Association (GMAA) they unquestionably fueled Miami’s growth and reputation as the “City of Aviation.”