Current Aviation News

KALAMAZOO, Mich.undefinedOn Oct. 1 the Air Zoo will open its 50,000-square-foot expansion, which will feature new and current exhibits, aircraft, and space artifacts, to the public.

The expansion will house Space: Dare to Dream, an interactive exhibit that pays tribute to the dreamers who dared to find answers to our existence.  The exhibit, made possible by a grant from the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, celebrates those innovators’ amazing discoveries, along with the history of space exploration.

“The Air Zoo now has even more rich and historic experiences for guests to enjoy,” said Bob Ellis, Air Zoo president and CEO.  “While walking through Space: Dare to Dream, visitors will be able to explore Galileo’s study, learn about ancient cosmology and experience the rumbling liftoff of Saturn V as it leaves Earth.”

The expansion will feature an additional exhibit about women in aviation (including the Women Airforce Service Pilots), space artifacts, interactive exhibits, an archive and an expanded library with free Wi-Fi Internet.  It will also include World War II aircraft ranging from early trainers to gliders and attack aircraft.

To celebrate the opening, the Air Zoo will have a variety of complimentary activities taking place throughout the day, such as creating soda straw rockets.  From 10 a.m.-3 p.m., kids will be able to  build and launch rockets for $10 each.

For more information about the Air Zoo’s opening celebration, call 269.382.6555.

 The Air Zoo is a nonprofit organization located at 6151 Portage Rd. in Portage, Mich.  It is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and offers a restaurant, gift shop and banquet facilities.  Effective June 11, 2011: General admission will cost $8 per person.  Unlimited rides and attractions may be purchased with a wristband package (Ultimate Ace-$15, Junior Flyer-$12, Co-Pilot-$8), which includes general admission, or tickets can be purchased individually for rides.

The system combines GPS, COMM and NAV functions with powerful multifunction display capabilities like high-resolution terrain mapping, graphical flight planning, optional satellite weather and traffic display.

 

With the GTN 650’s revolutionary new touchscreen interface, you’re rarely more than two taps away from all of the system’s primary functions. Quickly pan across the map screen simply by swiping your finger across the 4.9-in. diagonal high-resolution TFT display. Or enter waypoint data with the onscreen alphanumeric entry. It’s even designed with raised grips in the bezel and a shelf across the lower edge of the display that serve as gripping points in both smooth and turbulent flight conditions. Traditional concentric knobs are also available for those who are used to that style of data input.

 

The standard GTN-650 Touch screen combined with the optional IFR Plus package that adds the Garmin GTN-750 large screen display with both a remote Garmin Transponder and Remote Garmin Audio Panel provides for a very clean but incredibly powerful navigation and safety solution.

KALAMAZOO, Mich.undefinedGuests traveling through Oakland County International Airport’s new main terminal will notice the Air Zoo’s Pitts Special flying high above their heads.

 

The 1973 Pitts Special, which is suspended from the lobby ceiling, is on long-term loan to the airport.  It was designed by Curtis Pitts and dominated world aerobatic competition in the 1960s and 1970s.  Today, it remains a strong contestant in lower categories of aerobatic competition.

 

“The Pitts Special biplane displayed inside the terminal is among the ‘wow’ factors that will give travelers a positive impression of southeast Michigan,” said Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson.  “The new terminal is the gateway to Oakland County from the air.”

 

Oakland County International Airport’s new environment-friendly terminal opened to the public on Aug. 23.

 

The Pitts Special was built, flown and donated to the Air Zoo by Henry Haigh II of Howell, Mich.  Haigh flew the single-seat biplane in various aerobatic contests.

 

For details about Oakland County International Airport, visit www.airfairocia.org.  For more information about the Air Zoo’s plane, call 269.382.6555. 

 

The Air Zoo is a nonprofit organization located at 6151 Portage Rd. in Portage, Mich.  It is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and offers a restaurant, gift shop and banquet facilities.  Effective June 11, 2011: General admission will cost $8 per person.  Unlimited rides and attractions may be purchased with a wristband package (Ultimate Ace-$15, Junior Flyer-$12, Co-Pilot-$8), which includes general admission, or tickets can be purchased individually for rides.

 

Thousands of visitors enjoyed a day out at IWM Duxford stateside-style today, Friday 19 August, at American Air Day.

Visitors met and mingled with men and women from the Third Air Force of the United States Air Force in Europe, based at RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in East Anglia.

There were a wide range of fascinating demonstrations, from the K9 dog display team, to the Birdman with his stunning birds of prey.  There was a display by the USAFE Operational Support Service showing how they prepare a fighter aircraft for readiness, using Duxford’s own static F-15 Eagle for true authenticity, and a display of Security Forces Humvee vehicles and equipment.

In a poignant Missing in Action ceremony, the USAFE Honor Guard remembered United States personnel who are missing in action or lost their lives in active service.

Imperial War Museum Duxford was delighted to welcome back SR-71 Blackbird pilot Colonel Richard Graham who hosted walk-around tours of the Blackbird spy plane that he flew, which is now in pride of place in the American Air Museum.

There were also displays by the USAFE weather display team and medical team.  Visitors also had to the chance to see some stylish American cars and motorbikes.

The USAFE C-130 aircraft flew in, landed and opened for very popular public tours.

In the skies there were exciting fly-pasts and displays. There were a series of United States Air Force fly-pasts, comprising two  F-15E aircraft, followed by a fly-past of a KC-135.  This was followed by a fly-past of two  F-15C aircraft.

Duxford’s historic American aircraft then took to the skies, with displays by a pair of North American Harvards, followed by a Boeing Stearman, and then a pair of S1 Pitts aircraft.

The final flypast of USAF F-15E aircraft was followed by a second display of Duxford aircraft, including the North American F-86 Sabre, Beech Staggerwing and Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina.

It was a fantastic day of Anglo-American celebration, enjoyed by visitors from both sides of the pond!

We're happy to share another great article written about Aviation Heritage Group member, the WACO YMF, and WACO Classic Aircraft.  Published in the September, 2010, issue of Flying Magazine, it's called "Waco Classic's New-Old Biplane" and we think it's great.

 

You can read the article in pdf format on their website at http://www.wacoclassic.com/articles.html, or better yet, get to your local newsstand and purchase the whole magazine.  There's lots of other interesting things to read.

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Air Zoo is adding a rare classic plane to its collectionundefineda 1938 Fairchild 24K, which is set to land at the Air Zoo the second week of September.

The 24K is a high-wing single-engine monoplane that was flown for personal and business use in the late 1930s.  It had a quick sales success with prominent businessmen and Hollywood actors purchasing the aircraft.  The 24K can seat up to four people and was popular because of its pleasant handling characteristics and roomy interior.  Only 36 24Ks were manufactured, and eight remain registered in the United States.

“The 24K came from the Golden Age of Aviation,” said Bob Ellis, Air Zoo president and CEO.  “It’s a beautiful plane that is full of character and we are thrilled to add it to the Air Zoo’s extensive collection of aircraft.”

Donor Norbert McLuckie, 90, of Coal City, Ill., will fly the plane to the Air Zoo the second week of September, weather permitting.  McLuckie is an avid flier and recently passed his annual flight physical exam.

For more information about the Air Zoo’s collection of aircraft, call 269.382.6555 or visit www.airzoo.org.

The Air Zoo is a nonprofit organization located at 6151 Portage Road in Portage, Mich.  It is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and offers a restaurant, gift shop and banquet facilities.  General admission is free.  Unlimited rides and attractions may be purchased with a wristband package or can be purchased individually with tickets.

KALAMAZOO, Mich. This summer, Air Zoo guests have the chance to take flight in a Cessna T-41 Mescalero, North American T-6 Texan and Vultee BT-13 Valiant, courtesy of Aviation Adventures and Michigan Warbirds.All three of these historic aircraft were used as trainers in the armed forces. The T-41 was used to train Air Force pilots beginning in 1964.  During World War II, the T-6 was used as an advanced trainer in the U.S. Army Air Forces and Navy. The BT-13 was also used during the war as a basic trainer by the U.S. Army Air Forces.

Guests can experience these aircraft with an array of flight packages including:

T-41 Flight Experience by Aviation Adventures

The T-41 Flight Experience is perfect for those who want to go on a flying adventure. Passengers will get a bird’s-eye view of the greater Kalamazoo area.  This flight experience lasts 20 minutes and costs $75 for the first passenger.  Each additional passenger costs $25.  The    T-41 can hold up to three passengers.

T-41 Pilot Experience by Aviation Adventures

Those who dream of becoming a pilot will find the T-41 Pilot Experience especially exhilarating. Passengers will learn about aerodynamics and how to pilot the plane by using the flight controls. The passenger-pilot will have the chance to try basic flight maneuvers such as turns, climbs and descents.  At the end of the experience, the passenger-pilot will be awarded a certificate of logged pilot time that may be used towards private pilot training.  This 30-minute experience costs $109 for the first passenger and $25 for each additional passenger.

World War II Flight Experience by Michigan Warbirds

Experience the thrill of flying in the T-6 or BT-13 with the World War II Flight Experience.  This familiarization ride will begin with a briefing from the pilot.  After the aircraft is in the air, the pilot will let the guest take the controls and experience flight, firsthand!  This 30-minute experience costs $200 and is limited to one passenger.

Flights from Aviation Adventures are offered Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.  Michigan Warbirds flights are offered on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.  Height and weight limitations may apply.

Tickets and gift certificates are available for purchase at the Air Zoo.  To schedule a flight or for more information, please call 269.382.6555.

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - On July 21, U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Craig Faller will present an award of appreciation to the Air Zoo.

Faller’s presentation will begin at 11 a.m. at the Air Zoo, where he will also speak to hundreds of naval recruiting officers from the districts of Michigan and Indiana. 

Before assuming command of Navy Recruiting, Faller served as executive assistant to Adm. William Fallon at U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Central Command, special assistant to the chief of naval operations and then executive assistant to the chief of naval operations.

Faller's awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (three awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy Commendation Medal (four awards) and Navy Achievement Medal.

To learn more about the Air Zoo, call 269.382.6555 or visit www.airzoo.org.

The Air Zoo is located at 6151 Portage Road, Portage, Mich.  It is a full-service attraction offering a restaurant, gift shop and banquet facilities.  General admission is free.  Unlimited attractions and experiences may be purchased with a wristband package or can be purchased individually with tickets.

Flying Legends air show (Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 July) sees a very special aviation reunion take place.

Clarence E ‘Bud’ Anderson, a retired officer in the United States Air Force and a Second World War ‘triple ace’ will be reunited with his P-51 Mustang ‘Old Crow’, the aircraft that carried him safely through 116 missions.

‘Bud’ Anderson flew two tours of combat against the Luftwaffe in Europe with the 363rd Fighter Squadron of the 357th Fighter Group, based at RAF Leiston. The 357th Fighter Group was credited with shooting down 609 enemy aircraft in only 15 months, a quota unequalled by any other fighter group.

The 357th Fighter Group produced 42 fighter ‘aces’. Bud Anderson was the leading ace of 363rd Fighter Squadron, with 16 ¼ aerial victories. In his faithful P-51 Mustang, he undertook all 116 missions without being hit by fire from enemy aircraft and without having to turn back for any reason.

Bud Anderson returned to the United States in February 1945 as a Captain and continued in military service for over thirty years.

Flying Legends is without doubt one of the finest warbird air shows in the world, providing an unrivalled line-up of the classic propeller-driven combat aircraft from both the First and Second World Wars, many of which are now either rare or unique.

The Fighter Collection are pleased to announce that over 50 aircraft will participate at the 2010 event including 10 Spitfires. Flying Legends will showcase the development of this iconic fighter with participation of the very rare Mk1 Spitfire right through to a Mk XIX variant.

Participating aircraft includes Sea Fury (x2), Sky Raiders, P-51 Mustangs (including a mystery Mustang not previously seen at Flying Legends), Dakota, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane, A-26 Invader, Lufthansa, Brietling Wing Walkers, a British trio of Mew Gull, Arrow Active and Miles Magister and a Hawker Tribute.

These legendary aircraft and superbly talented pilots come from across the globe to display at Flying Legends. Visitors can expect to see a wide range of iconic aircraft, including the P-51 Mustang, Hawker Hurricane, Lancaster bomber and much more.
On the ground, there will be activities for all ages, plus the opportunity to experience a nostalgic wartime atmosphere as you mingle with re-enactors recreating the roles of RAF pilots, US Army medical personnel and the servicemen of the 101st Airborne Division.