1920-1930

GMAA is formed, board includes area’s most prominent civic leaders

Calls for airport grow louder

All through the 1920’s, the need for Greater Miami to develop airport facilities commensurate with developments in aviation had been a topic of discussion at meetings of local city officials, club leaders and aviation authorities. But it wasn’t until July of 1927 that the first concerted effort to create a Greater Miami Airport Association took place.

Visionary team is named to head new association

On July 28, 1927, civic leaders from across Dade County met at the Harvey Seeds American Legion post to launch the new association. Glenn Curtiss was named Honorary President. B. B. Freeland, longtime leader in Miami’s air transportation development and member of the city’s advisory aviation board, was elected president. The Mayors of Miami, Coral Gables, Miami Beach, Miami Shores, South Miami, Homestead, Hialeah and Opa Locka were appointed to serve as board members, as were the presidents of the Chambers of Commerce of each of the aforementioned cities. At least 25 directors in all were appointed to serve on the GMAA board, a veritable “Who’s Who” of the area’s most respected and influential citizens.

Securing Miami’s aviation future

As hindsight would confirm, creation of the GMAA was the needed catalyst that transformed Greater Miami from a home to air services that were here today and gone tomorrow into a permanent and preeminent hub of national and international aviation. Much work was needed to be done. The initial “To Do” list included not only obtaining adequate airport facilities for Miami, but encouraging local manufacture of aircraft, organization of a National Guard flight unit, establishment of a course of aeronautical engineering at the University of Miami, cooperation with the aviation branch of the federal Department of Commerce in enforcing regulations, creation of public confidence in flying, establishment of air transport lines into Miami and the resumption of Air Mail service which had been suspended after Florida Airways ceased operations.

High profile accomplishments include Municipal Airport at Opa Locka, All American Air Maneuvers

Among the GMAA’s earliest high-profile accomplishments was to complete the establishment of a Municipal Airport in Opa Locka. In tandem with the dedication of the new airport, on January 7, 1929, GMAA sponsored the first of the All-American Air Maneuvers, a popular aerial event that became an annual institution in Miami for more than 20 years thereafter, drawing thousands to the city every year. Other projects involved establishing a blimp base in Opa Locka and bringing the Coast Guard rescue service to Dinner Key in 1932. GMAA was also instrumental in advocating for the establishment of the Homestead Air Force Base.

From Airport to Aviation Association

In 1949, the organization changed its name to the Greater Miami Aviation Association, reflecting its wide range of activities. In 1961 GMAA instituted another annual event, the Wright Brothers Memorial Award, to persons known to have contributed to the development of aviation in the Greater Miami area.

Continuing the legacy

Today, GMAA continues to support local aviation in ways too countless to enumerate. Its Wright Brothers Memorial Gala and award ceremony is the premier aviation event held every year in the South Florida area.

At left: GMAA membership drive advertisement, Miami News, September 18, 1927