Video: EAA B-17 Kicks Off NFL Game

In what could be a more frequent sight in the era of government sequestration, on Sunday, November 24, EAA's B-17 "Aluminum Overcast" performed a pre-game fly-over at Green Bay's Lambeau Field before the NFL game between the hometown Packers and the Minnesota Vikings. Pilots Sean Elliott and George Daubner timed their approach to the closing of the National Anthem. As the World War II-era bomber rumbled overhead, the stadium PA blared out Kenny Loggins's "Danger Zone," the theme from the movie Top Gun.

Before the 2013 football season began, the Packers contacted EAA about a possible flyover due to the shutdown of military participation caused by the sequester. Elliott had high praise for the team's coordination on the flight, and also praised Green Bay Approach. The crew lifted off from Oshkosh's Wittman Field around 11:30 a.m., and circled off the coast of Lake Michigan until approach gave them the go-ahead to set course for the stadium.

A very short (seven seconds) video shot from the B-17 is posted on EAA's Facebook page, along with a selection of other videos and still photos of the event.

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Mark Phelps is a senior editor at AVweb. He is an instrument rated private pilot and former owner of a Grumman American AA1B and a V-tail Bonanza.

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