For the sixth year, Fantasy of Flight, home to the World’s Greatest Aircraft Collection™, will once again welcome the nation’s first African-American Aviation Heroes, the Tuskegee Airmen, Friday, February 7th through Saturday, February 8th , 2014. The attraction will celebrate Black History Month not only by hosting a two-day limited engagement event called “They Dared to Fly” featuring several surviving Tuskegee Airmen, but also by sponsoring its fourth annual student essay contest in which students are encouraged to write about the values of leadership, excellence, advocacy and determination (LEAD) embodied by the Tuskegee pilots.
“They Dared to Fly” is scheduled to feature a Living History Talkback Session as well as Meet & Greet opportunities with three of the original Tuskegee Airmen. In 2007, President George W. Bush awarded the surviving Airmen the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest civilian award.
Fantasy of Flight’s permanent multi-media Tuskegee Airmen exhibit and vintage aircraft collection, including the P-51C Mustang “Red Tail,” provides the perfect backdrop for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet the brave men who fought America’s enemies abroad while enduring racism at home. Scheduled to appear at one or more of the symposiums are: George E. Hardy, Daniel Keel, and Charles E. McGee. All events are included in the attraction’s general admission price and are free for annual pass holders. The program begins at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 7th and at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 8th. Airmen will be available for interviews from 9 – 10 a.m. on Friday and 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.
“They Dared to Fly,” is included in the price of Fantasy of Flight general admission and is free for annual pass holders. General admission is $29.95 for adults and $15.95 for children, ages 6-12, plus tax. Children five and under are free. Special group and education rates are available for groups of fifteen (15) or more. For more information, contact Group Sales at 863-984-3500 ext. 237 or visit www.fantasyofflight.com.