The Lindbergh Foundation is pleased to announce that Fantasy of Flight, home to the world's largest private collection of vintage aircraft, has joined the Aviation Green Alliance as a Founding Member.      

"We are thrilled that this unique facility will be joining the elite group of Aviation Green Alliance founders," said Lindbergh Foundation Chairman and CEO Larry Williams.  "Fantasy of Flight creator and owner Kermit Weeks was one of the first individual founding members of Aviation Green. To have the support of his world-famous aviation attraction as well is yet another validation of this special program."  Noting the numerous vintage aircraft in Fantasy of Flight's collection, Williams added, "We believe that Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh would have been pleased to see the way Kermit and Fantasy of Flight embrace and embody the spirit of aviation as a metaphor for life itself." 

In recent years, the aviation industry--including manufacturing, corporate operators and individuals-- has come under intense pressure to address aviation emissions, noise, efficiency and other environmental concerns. To address these issues, the Lindbergh Foundation launched the Aviation Green Alliance at Sun 'n Fun 2011 to support and encourage those who are committed to proactively addressing aviation and environmental challenges.

"I support what AGA stands for because it's a great example of the Fantasy of Flight concept of pushing our boundaries and reaching beyond ourselves. There will always be an opportunity to take a step beyond ourselves and it's time we took the next step in balancing aviation and the environment," observed Fantasy of Flight founder Kermit Weeks. He went on to say, "AGA also brings competing people and companies together around a common cause for the benefit of everyone. Imagine if we approached the rest of the world's problems in this manner!"  

The Aviation Green Alliance was established to create multiple platforms for members to share strategies, findings, progress, and ideas related to aviation's environmental challenges.  "With the Lindbergh Foundation's mission and history deeply rooted in aviation, we felt it was the Foundation's responsibility to step forward and lead a grassroots rally to support tangible, measurable, and sustainable environmental progress by the aviation industry," said Williams. "We hope other like-minded individuals and companies-leaders like FedEx Corporation, Bombardier Aerospace, Cessna, Hawker Beechcraft, Jeppesen and now Fantasy of Flight - will come forward and help Lindbergh Foundation's Aviation Green Alliance lead the way in being responsible aviation stewards of our environment."

Weeks will be presented with the Corporate "Orteig Founder" medal during the 35th Annual Lindbergh Awards, hosted by Fantasy of Flight and in partnership with SUN 'n FUN on March 29, in Polk City, FL.

About The Lindbergh Foundation

The  Lindbergh Foundation is a public 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, based in Anoka, Minnesota, which focuses on technological breakthroughs to address significant aviation-environmental issues. The Lindbergh Foundation also values individual initiative and accomplishments.  Its programs are devoted to supporting, honoring, and educating individuals, through three major programs:  the annual Lindbergh Award, presented to individuals for significant contributions toward balancing nature and scientific innovation in their work; the Lindbergh Grants program, which provides grants in amounts up to $10,580 (the cost of building the Spirit of St. Louis in 1927) for research or education projects that will make important contributions to the technology/environment balance; and a variety of educational events including the new Aviation Green Alliance.

About Fantasy of Flight 

Fantasy of Flight  is an aviation-themed attraction showcasing vintage aircraft from the world's largest private collection; themed immersion experiences; flight simulators; interactive exhibits; a tram tour of aircraft maintenance areas; Restoration and Backlot tours; and an Aerial Demonstration of the Day.  Voted #1 of "Orlando's 101 Best Kept Secrets" by Orlando Sentinel readers in 2007, Fantasy of Flight features vintage airplanes dating from the early 1900s, including World War II standouts like the rare P-51C Mustang featuring red tail colors of the Tuskegee Airmen and the B-26 Marauder, which saw combat in the South Pacific and over North Africa.