Southwest Michigan Regional Airport to Host Harriet Quimby Women of Aviation Fly-In

Southwest Michigan Regional Airport will host the Harriet Quimby Women of Aviation Fly-In on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Southwest Michigan Regional Airport, located at 1123 Territorial Rd, Benton Harbor, MI 49022. The free event is open to the public with free admission and celebrates the legacy of aviation pioneer Harriet Quimby while inspiring the next generation of women to pursue careers in aviation.

The event will bring together pilots, aviation professionals, students, and community members for a day centered on education, inspiration, and hands-on experiences. Attendees will be able to view aircraft on display, enjoy free flights, connect with aviation career mentors, explore flight simulations and take part in interactive opportunities designed to introduce pathways into aviation. The event will also feature food trucks, free short flights, and scholarship opportunities for high school students interested in aviation careers.

Airport Director Christopher Beckman said the event reflects the airport’s growing commitment to community engagement and workforce development.

“This event is about more than celebrating history,” Beckman said. “It’s about creating real opportunities for young people, especially young women, to see themselves in aviation and take the first step toward those careers.”

Throughout the day, attendees will have the chance to hear from women working across different sectors of aviation and learn more about training and career pathways.
Sarah Deal, a member of the event’s organizing team and the first female Marine selected for Naval aviation training in 1993 who went on to become the Marine Corps’ first female aviator in 1995, emphasized the importance of representation and opportunity.

“When young women can see themselves reflected in aviation, it changes what they believe is possible,” Deal said. “This event is about opening doors, building confidence, and showing that there is a place for them in the sky.”

The Harriet Quimby Women of Aviation Fly-In is part of the airport’s broader effort to expand outreach, strengthen community partnerships, and highlight the role aviation plays in economic development and public service across Southwest Michigan.

The event is open to the public and encourages participation from students, families, educators, and anyone interested in aviation.