The runway is clear, the passengers are ready, and the entire airport fits between the salt shaker and the fruit bowl. Hand the tower radio to the person who likes telling everybody where to go.
What is National Aviation Day?
National Aviation Day on August 19 celebrates flight and the people who make aviation possible. It is an opportunity to explore aircraft, airports, and the many jobs behind a successful journey.
Why Orville Wright’s birthday matters
President Franklin D. Roosevelt established National Aviation Day in 1939. The date honors Orville Wright’s birthday and encourages interest in the development of aviation. Looking beyond the airplane itself opens up a bigger story of design, navigation, maintenance, and teamwork. U.S. Census Bureau’s aviation history.
A simple way to enjoy the day
Visit an aviation museum, watch aircraft from a permitted public viewing area, or open the tiny airport below. Give children different roles so they discover that a flight needs more than a pilot.
Holiday dates for planning
| Observance | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Aviation Day | Wednesday, August 19, 2026 | Thursday, August 19, 2027 | Saturday, August 19, 2028 | Sunday, August 19, 2029 | Monday, August 19, 2030 |
National Aviation Day date reference
Check in your passengers
Fill in a boarding pass with a destination, gate and seat. A toy passenger can travel to Grandma’s house or an island made entirely of pancakes. Give one player the gate desk and the other the job of calling a flight.
Learn the tabletop airport
Cut the planes from the edge of the runway map. Color one blue and one orange. Trace the route from a gate along the taxiway to the runway. Move one plane at a time while the tower watches for an occupied runway.
Read the tower cards
Draw a card and say the instruction aloud. The pilot repeats it before moving. If both flights want the same runway, let the tower decide who waits at the gate. Trade jobs and see how much easier directions become once you’ve been the pilot.
Get the free printable set
Run a Tiny Airport includes three printable US Letter pages. Issue boarding passes and guide two little airplanes from the gate to the runway.