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We are the Past
We are the Present
We are the Future
In Celebration of Back to School
Fantasy of Flight's "Real Imagination Players"
Present
REAL IMAGINATION: Heroes of Flight
Attention youngsters and young-at-heart-sters:
Light the spark within and join us for the wildly-entertaining, audience-engaging REAL IMAGINATION: Heroes of Flight, a 35-minute live-performance romp through time and adventure, featuring aviation rock-stars Leonardo da Vinci, Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, and most importantly, YOU.
All you need to add is your own imagination, fold in a fun-filled day at Fantasy of Flight, and shake until fully mixed, yielding airplane fun for all ages.
Warning: you may learn a thing or two too!
As an added value, time traveling aviator Ophelia Ida Lightheart, the newest "character" to join Fantasy of Flight's Real Imagination Players, will be on hand to read Kermit Weeks's award winning children's book All of Life is a School aloud between performances of Real Imagination: Heroes of Flight. A grand storyteller reminiscent of Mother Goose, Lightheart not only tells stories, but also sings and makes mischief wherever or whenever she travels.
Only on August 29 and 30, click here for more details and performance times. |
What is an Airworthiness Directive?
The P-51 C Model's propeller, removed and ready for its AD inspection
In addition to performing an annual nose-to-tail inspection of each flying aircraft in the collection (see February 2009 e-news), the gallant lads of the Aircraft Maintenance department must also stay abreast of all the Airworthiness Directives issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Recently, Airworthiness Directives have gotten a lot of press relating to airliners; however, AD notes (as they are called) ensure the safety of aircraft by considering old problems in order to prevent them from occurring again. (Just imagine if we did this faithfully with our cars.) The AD is the authority's way of addressing the unique stresses that are particular to each type of aircraft.
For example... AD 81-13-06 R2 relates to the propellers which happens to grace both flying North American P-51s (C and D model Mustangs) in the collection. This AD requires that every five years, the propellers must be removed from the aircraft and sent to a certified prop shop, which inspects each blade for even the tiniest hint of dangerous corrosion or uneven wear. In light of the still staggering performance of these legendary aircraft and the powerful centrifugal force that continuously slings the blades outwards, the Aircraft Maintenance department is eager to make sure the prop is in tip-top shape. So in mid-July, off came the propellers and scrutiny was applied. The outcome: a clean bill of health and a fun (and safe) test flight for the boss the next Saturday. |
G. Willie Answers Reader Questions
Wow, I thought I loved the aircraft at Fantasy of Flight! Judging from the contents of my mail bag this month, our readers do too! Passionate questions poured in about all kinds of aircraft in the collection-especially those in line for restoration.
Apparently last month's P-38 response (see July 09 e-news) stirred up even more questions, such as this one from Mike from Washington: "The P-38. Who cut the plane and why?"
G. Willie and the P-38, showing a tail boom
The aircraft was recovered from Paraguay, disassembled, and shipped intact to the U.S. When it came time to put it on a railcar, it was over-width. Instead of taking the time to build a rack that would put it at an angle and get it below the width requirement, they cut it and shipped it flat! The tail is designed to be unbolted but for some unknown reason, the people in charge of the disassembly must have been in a big hurry and took a short cut by sawing off both tail booms. We have all the pieces, and it's just a matter of jigging up the center section and remanufacturing the components. Even so, the aircraft is a very complicated one, and we anticipate it will require 20 to 30 thousand man hours to make it airworthy again. Don't feel too sorry for Kermit, as it was a VERY inexpensive project at the time he purchased it in 1983!
Scott W. asks, "Willie, can the B-17 be made flight worthy or will it always be a static display?"
Thanks, Scott. The B-17 in our Immersion Environments would make a great project to get flying; however, we have another B-17 in storage that Kermit flew to Florida in 1985. This would be our first choice to get flying, but there are no plans to begin working on it anytime soon. For now, the Fantasy of Flight B-17 will continue to be on static display and thrill our guests who crawl right inside it to go on a mission over enemy territory. It's one of the most popular and unforgettable features of the attraction.  I'm a little suspicious of some of the crew members in it. They won't give me the time of day. Hmmmm. That bunch of dummies must be intimidated by my status as a highly respected member of the press. News Flash for Bomber fans: Fantasy of Flight is planning a Living History symposium devoted to bombers in October. Real B-17 heroes will be on hand then!
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WASP in the Oval Office
Heroic WWII Female Pilots Recognized and Awarded
President Obama signs the bill as Bee Haydu looks on (left)
Photo Credit: The Official White House Flickr Photostream
On July 1, President Obama signed a bill to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the Womens Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), the celebrated female World War II pilots and subject of Fantasy of Flight's hangar exhibit and recent symposium, "A Passionate Pursuit." In attendance at the signing of the bill was Bernice "Bee" Falk Haydu, who appeared at the Fantasy of Flight Living History symposium earlier this year (see March and April 09 e-news).
"The Women Airforce Service Pilots courageously answered their country's call in a time of need while blazing a trail for the brave women who have given and continue to give so much in service to this nation since," said President Obama. "Every American should be grateful for their service, and I am honored to sign this bill to finally give them some of the hard-earned recognition they deserve."
"I am absolutely astounded and still on cloud nine to have been invited to witness President Obama sign this long awaited bill," remarked Bee Haydu. "He is a genuinely gracious gentleman." Fantasy of Flight looks forward to congratulating Bee and the other WASPs in person during their next visit in March. | |
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Barnstormers Salute was the Bee's Knees!
And the Cat's Pajamas Too!
Barnstorming was celebrated in high style on July 25 and 26.
Click here to find out what you missed and check out a few photos from Barnstormers of the Roaring '20s. |
Coming in September
Registration is now open for the first annual pairing of seaplanes and skydiving at The Last Big Splash, scheduled for September 26 and 27, 2009.
Click here for pilot and seaplane registration. Sponsored in part by the Seaplane Pilots Association, the shores of Lake Agnes at Fantasy of Flight will be teeming with seaplanes of all types, both on display and engaged in aerial and water competitions.
Large ponds lining the grass runways will be the landing zone for canopy pilots as they compete for ranking in a Florida Canopy Pilots Association sanctioned skydiving competition.
Join us for the action-packed weekend. Access to the event is included with Fantasy of Flight general admission for spectators. |
Legendary Tour Guide Mac McGilvray Retires
He's called the Tour Guide's Tour Guide because he wrote the book as one of the architects of Fantasy of Flight's celebrated tram tour and backlot experience. He gets the facts right. A rolling archive of aircraft data and history, he inspires as well as he teaches, leaving a laugh in the heart and a tear in the eye of his audience.
Mac has been a vital part of Fantasy of Flight since he signed on in March of 1997. We celebrate Mac's retirement because we know he won't leave us behind.
We'll see you in the hangars, Mac. |
Enjoy Fantastic Summer Discounts
School Supply Drive Throughout August, Fantasy of Flight will benefit the Polk Education Foundation by offering discounted admission ($8 off) for guests who donate greatly needed, relief providing school supplies. Click here for a detailed list of specific school supplies needed. The discount will only apply for items listed. Your caring donation will ultimately benefit us all by encouraging academic excellence in our community.
Service Industry Summer
All employees of Florida accommodations, restaurants, and bars are invited to visit Fantasy of Flight with a special buy one, get one free admission offer through September. Be sure to let your favorite server or bartender know about the deal! |
Featured Gift Shop Items  Fantasy of Flight's Gift Shop salutes one of the most exciting aircraft of World War II, the P-38 Lightning, also known as the "fork-tailed devil," which is also a favorite topic of G. Willie's Mail Call. Captured in mid flight, this glorious aircraft has place of pride on your brand new t-shirt, hat, or mug. Available in sizes M-XXL, the P-38 t-shirt is only $19.95. The hat is $14.95. The mug is $12.95. Click here to view these items and more available in our online store. Undecided? Come to Fantasy of Flight and check it out for yourself. |
Miss anything?
If you missed any past editions of Fantasy of Flight's e-news referenced this month, just click here to check out our e-news archives. |
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