Healthcare workers will get another sky-high tribute, but this one will be really slow
With most live sporting events canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, the iconic Goodyear Blimp has been grounded for months.
But that’s about to change.
On Friday and Saturday, the blue, white and yellow Wingfoot Two aircraft — which is almost as long as a football field and taller than eight pro-basketball players stacked — will fly over 11 Florida hospitals from Miami Beach to West Palm Beach to thank healthcare workers for being on the front line fighting the virus. On Sunday, the blimp will provide aerial coverage of the Champions for Charity celebrity golf match in Jupiter, which is raising money for COVID-19 charities.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the ongoing work and sacrifices of the COVID-19 essential healthcare personnel,” said Jeff Capek, Goodyear’s chief pilot of Wingfoot Two, in an email. “We wanted to mark Wingfoot Two’s first flight since February by paying tribute to these brave heroes with a heartfelt ‘thank you’ message and hopefully provide a small bright spot amid these unprecedented times.”
The blimp’s LED screen will display a “Thank you” message about hospitals including Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood and St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach.
This is not the only sky-high tribute to front line workers. On Saturday, in honor of Memorial Day, there will be a “Salute Flight” as part of The National Salute to America’s Heroes, presented by Hyundai, along with the Homestead U.S. Air Force base and the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Miami. Earlier this month, the Navy’s Blue Angels also flew over South Florida to recognize front line workers.
Here’s a look at the blimp’s flight schedule
Friday
▪ Noon to 12:15p.m.: Over Cleveland Clinic in Weston
▪ 12:45 to 1 p.m.: Over Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach
▪ 1:15 to 1:30 p.m.: Over Memorial Regional in Hollywood
▪ 1:45 to 2 p.m.: Over Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale
▪ 2:15 to 2:30 p.m.: Over Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale
Saturday
▪ 11:30 to 11:45 a.m.: Over Broward Health North in Pompano Beach
▪ Noon to 12:15 p.m.: Over Boca Raton Regional Hospital
▪ 12:30 to 12:45 p.m.: Over Delray Medical Center in Delray Beach
▪ 1 to 1:15 p.m.: Over Bethesda Hospital East in Boynton Beach
▪ 1:30 to 1:45 p.m.: Over JFK Medical Center in Palm Beach County
▪ 2 to 2:15 p.m.: Over St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach
This story was originally published May 21, 2020 at 1:15 PM.
