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Archbishop Gregory Aymond, who has asked for prayers for the victims of the coronavrius and for health care providers, will bless the residents of New Orleans on Good Friday during a 30-minute "Spirit Flight" aboard a WWII-era biplane.
The Big Easy Wing of the "Commemorative Air Force" will take the archbishop up in a two-seat, open-cockpit 1943 Boeing PT-17 Stearman. He is scheduled to take off from Lakefront Airport at 10 a.m. on Friday and fly over the metropolitan area, including both sides of the Mississippi River.
After the archbishop lands, Rabbi Alexis Erdheim of Gates of Prayer Synagogue will embark on her "Spirit Flight."
"It is a privilege to fly over our city, and as a sign of our faith in Almighty God to ask for his blessing and protection," Archbishop Aymond said. "And we continue to ask for prayers for our health care workers, our leaders, those who are sick, and those who have died."
“We are a community that is blessed with a diversity of beliefs, cultures, backgrounds and religions," Rabbi Erdheim said. "No matter how different we may all be, we in New Orleans know that when our backs are against the wall, we are strongest when we are together.”
The archbishop's flight should be easily visible from the ground. The aircraft will fly at approximately 1,000 feet and can be identified by its bright yellow wings.
“We came up with the idea for the Spirit Flight because this is such an important spiritual week for the world, and for a city and people who have gone through so much, we thought it was something that may bring some joy to people who really need it,” said Big Easy Wing leader David Capo. “We have asked a few other religious and community leaders to participate in Spirit Flight, and will likely be doing more in the future.”
The air club said it is taking extra precautions for the two flights, "including limiting the number of people involved."
The airport has limited the number of people allowed on the ramp to just the essential aircrew and Archbishop Aymond. The flight is subject to cancelation due to weather.
The Big Easy Wing is a local chapter of the Commemorative Air Force, an international World War II flying museum. The wing was founded three years ago and operates from two bases located at Lakefront Airport and Hammond, Louisiana.