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| | US Airways First Officer and Captain Jeff Skiles | POLK CITY, Fla. (April 5, 2010) - Back by popular demand for the third year in a row, Fantasy of Flight has just announced that it will once again host the "Splash-In" portion of the 36th Annual SUN 'n FUN International Fly-In & Expo, held in nearby Lakeland, Fla., April 13-18. "Splash-In" will be held on Thursday, April 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This year, Fantasy of Flight has added a new element to the day's festivities, a luncheon featuring Jeff Skiles, who served as the First Officer to Captain Chesley B. Sullenberger III on US Airways Flight 1549, during the historic "Miracle on the Hudson." "Splash-In" at Fantasy of Flight is just one portion of the SUN 'n FUN International Fly-In & Expo, which has been dubbed "Spring Break for Pilots."
The one-day event specifically celebrates seaplanes and other amphibious aircraft, as dozens of seaplane pilots use Fantasy of Flight's sparkling Lake Agnes as their chosen landing strip. This "fly-in within a fly-in" will include the amazing spectacle of water take-offs and landings as well as competition flying, spot landing, a "bomb drop" contest and slaloms with floatplanes and flying boats.
For the first time, Fantasy of Flight has added a "Splash-In" luncheon, with special guest speaker Jeff Skiles, the First Officer from the historic US Airways flight 1549. Skiles, 50, was at the controls with Captain Chesley Sullenberger when the Airbus A320 jet experienced multiple bird strikes and lost power to both engines shortly after taking off from New York City's LaGuardia Airport on Jan. 15, 2009. Captain Sullenberger safely landed the airplane on the chilly waters of the Hudson River just west of midtown Manhattan. Of the 150 passengers and five crew members on board, only a few received minor injuries.
Fantasy of Flight creator and founder Kermit Weeks will pick up Skiles at the SUN 'n FUN Fly-In in an amphibious Grumman Duck at 10 a.m. and fly him back to Fantasy of Flight to the delight of "Splash-In" guests anxiously awaiting their arrival to Fantasy of Flight's Lake Agnes. Skiles will then speak to guests about his role in the heroic NY landing at a BBQ lunch. Cost of the BBQ lunch is $20 plus tax and does not include admission to Fantasy of Flight and "Splash-In," which are priced separately. Tickets are available for all of the events at www.fantasyofflight.com or by calling 863-984-3500.
Jeff Skiles started flying at the age of 16 and to date has logged more than 20,000 hours as a pilot. His mother and father - both pilots - introduced him to flying at an early age. He has spent the past 24 years as a First Officer and Captain for US Airways and currently serves as the Vice President of the Coalition of Airline Pilots' Associations (CAPA). Jeff also enjoys recreational aviation and currently owns (and flies) a WACO Cabin biplane. He resides in Oregon, Wis., with his wife and three children.
Skiles' personal account of that harrowing day on the Hudson will not be lost on a crowd of seaplane pilots, aviation enthusiasts and those interested in hearing more about the successful water landing. While Sullenberger and Skiles proved that the water can provide an emergency landing strip for commercial airlines, there are also many accomplished pilots who simply prefer water landings.
"Aviation is a field that has always lent itself to creating heroes, and Jeff Skiles is certainly one of them," said Kermit Weeks, founder and creator of Fantasy of Flight. "We're excited to have him at Fantasy of Flight to share his recollections of that historic water landing. And this time, we hope the only bird in the air will be our own Grumman Duck!"
"Splash-In" is part of the annual SUN 'n FUN "Fly-In," an aviation convention started in 1975. In 2008, the "Splash-In" portion of the wildly popular Lakeland Linder Regional Airport event was moved to Fantasy of Flight to utilize the state-of-the-art facilities and wide-open spaces of the Polk City landmark attraction. Pilots of 87 planes arrived on event day alone as guests enjoyed the amazing sights and sounds as crafts of all kinds descended upon the lake waters or took to the sky.
While visions of Tattoo yelling "'The plane! The plane!'" on Fantasy Island may spring to  mind for many, seaplanes and amphibious aircraft come in many shapes and sizes. Seaplanes are most easily categorized as airplanes capable of taking off from or landing on the surface of water. They include flying boats and float planes. Seaplanes with retractable wheels allowing land and/or water operation are known as an amphibian. Fantasy of Flight is home to such water-based aircraft as the Grumman Duck, a PBY Catalina and the only airworthy Short Sunderland MK5 in the world.
The "Splash-In" is included in the attraction's guest admission price which is $28.95 for adults and $14.95 for children, ages 6-15, plus 7 percent sales tax. Fantasy of Flight is pleased to offer SUN 'n FUN attendees $5 off regular admission to the aviation-themed attraction with proof of admission to SUN 'n FUN. Present your 2010 SUN 'n FUN proof of purchase (receipt or wristband) at the Fantasy of Flight admissions desk to receive this special offer. Offer is good for multiple visits and expires May 31, 2010. Not valid with any other discount, special event or annual pass. "Splash-In" hours are 10 am - 5 pm. SUN 'n FUN guests who do not wish to visit Fantasy of Flight will be charged $5 for parking and admission to the "Splash-In." Visitors who do not wish to visit Fantasy of Flight, and are not SUN 'n FUN guests, may pay $10 for parking and admission to the "Splash-In."
Guests are transported by shuttle to and from Fantasy of Flight and SUN 'n FUN headquarters at Lakeland Linder Field throughout the event. For more information about SUN 'n FUN, to purchase admission or to register attendance by seaplane, visit www.sun-n-fun.org. For more information about Fantasy of Flight or to purchase tickets for "Splash-In" or for the Jeff Skiles luncheon, visit www.fantasyofflight.com.
SUN 'n FUN, a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization based in Lakeland, Florida, is best known for its annual International Fly-In & Expo held each April. The April event is the primary source of funding for SUN 'n FUN's expanding year-round aviation education programs including operation of the Florida Air Museum, the state's "Official Aviation Museum and Education Center," which is also supported through grants from the Division of Historical Resources and Division of Cultural Affairs, Florida Department of State. A growing scholarship program provides financial support to ensure SUN 'n FUN's education programs are accessible to all. For more information, access SUN 'n FUN's website (www.sun-n-fun.org) or call the SUN 'n FUN offices at 863-644-2431.
Fantasy of Flight also hosts a number of other special events throughout the 2010 year, including Mustangs & Mustangs-Legends Havin' Fun 2010, April 17; Roar n' Soar, Nov. 13 -14 and many more.
Fantasy of Flight admission is $28.95 for adults, $14.95 for children ages 6-15, plus 7 percent sales tax. Children 5 and younger are free. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more. Annual passes are available for $69.95 for adults, $39.95 for children ages 6-15, plus 7 percent sales tax, and are good for one year from the date of purchase. Open Cockpit Days are free for Annual Pass holders and $20 additional for paid guests.
For more information, call 863-984-3500 or visit www.fantasyofflight.com. ***** Fantasy of Flight is Central Florida's premier 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; Fun with Flight center for families and the country's only Aerial Demonstration of the Day (weather permitting) featuring a vintage plane. General admission also includes The Tuskegee Airmen - They Dared to Fly exhibit; the multimedia tribute to the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) - A Passionate Pursuit, a walking audio tour and many special events throughout the year.
Hours are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily. General admission is $28.95 for adults, $26.95 for seniors ages 55 and over and $14.95 for children, ages 6-15, plus 7 percent sales tax. Annual passes are available for $69.95 for adults, $39.95 for children ages 6-15, plus 7 percent sales tax, and are good for one year from the date of purchase. Biplane rides, through Waldo Wright's Flying Service, and hot air balloon rides, are available for an extra charge. For more information about Fantasy of Flight, call 863-984-3500 or visit www.fantasyofflight.com. |
1 comment:
This looks like a good time
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