| POLK CITY, Fla. (May 5, 2010) - Fantasy of Flight, home to the World's Greatest Aircraft Collection featuring rare and vintage aircraft, has set out to find the World's Greatest Dad just in time to give him the thrill of a lifetime this Father's Day weekend.
Fantasy of Flight is asking children and adults to submit an essay of 50 words or fewer describing why their dad is the "World's Greatest Dad." The winning dad will receive the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take a 30-minute ride over Central Florida in one of only four Fieseler F1-156 Storch airplanes in the world.
Fantasy of Flight's Storch is still in top-notch flying condition and still has its original German Argus engine. The doting dad will also receive tickets for the family (up to four people) to Fantasy of Flight on Father's Day, June 20, as well as four Fantasy of Flight annual passes for the family to visit the attraction as often as they'd like for a year, a VIP Tour including behind-the-scenes accessibility of Fantasy of Flight led by Storch pilot, aviation historian and restoration specialist Ken Kellet, a special Father's Day lunch (for up to four people) at the Compass Rose Diner and a special Fantasy of Flight gift basket for Dad.
Second prize in the contest is a package for Dad and his nominating (and now "favorite") child including a pair of tickets to Fantasy of Flight for this Father's Day, two Fantasy of Flight annual passes, a special Father's Day lunch for two at the Compass Rose Diner and a special Fantasy of Flight gift basket for Dad. The third place winner receives the second prize winner's package, other than one annual pass instead of two.
Responses are due Tuesday, June 8 by 5 pm and may be submitted online at www.fantasyofflight.com under the homepage link, "World's Greatest Dad;" by mail to Fantasy of Flight, "World's Greatest Dad" 1400 Broadway Blvd. SE, Polk City, Fla. 33868; or in the attraction's lobby no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 8. Winners and winning entries will be announced and posted on the Fantasy of Flight website on Friday, June 11 at 5 p.m. Prize winners must be available to visit Fantasy of Flight on Father's Day, June 20, 2010 in order to claim all prizes. No substitutions or exchanges.
And, Fantasy of Flight is offering free general admission to all fathers when accompanied by a paying guest from Thursday, June 17 to Sunday, June 20, 2010. Any paid youth, senior or adult admission ticket qualifies as the accompanying paid admission. Offer valid Thursday, June 17 - Sunday, June 20, 2010. Not valid with any other offers or discounts.
This marks the first time that Fantasy of Flight has held a contest where the winner was awarded a ride in the extremely rare Storch, designed by Fieseler in 1935 and generally considered to be thebest vintage liaison (or L-Bird) airplane ever designed. Liaison aircraft were small, slow flying and usually unarmed aircraft used in World War II to observe enemy artillery or transport commanders or messengers. With its high-lift wings and fixed slots, it can take-off and land in less than 200 feet and has a stall speed less than 25 mph. It proved its worth throughout World War II, when more than 4,000 were ultimately built. Used on all fronts, its engine had a tendency to overheat, and the side cowls were generally left off in hot climates. Fans of vintage liaison planes prefer the Storch even more than the popular Mustang P-51.
In the words of Fantasy of Flight founder and creator, Kermit Weeks, "The Storch is sexy!"
The aircraft was involved in many significant events during World War II. Field Marshall Erwin Rommel, "The Desert Fox," flew in one throughout the North African Campaign, landing in troubled spots everywhere along the front lines. It was a Storch that rescued Italian dictator Mussolini from a hotel atop a mountain peak after Italian partisans captured him toward the end of the war. It was a Storch that transported the bomb that was used in the attempt on Hitler's life in July of 1944. Less than a year later, during the final days of the war in Europe, famous German female test-pilot Hanna Reitsch flew a Storch into the heart of besieged Berlin. She landed near the Brandenburg Gate to get last minute instructions from Hitler. 
World's Greatest Dad will get a first-hand view of the Storch's cockpit.
Storch pilot and VIP tour guide for the day, Ken Kellet, builds and flies airplanes as a living, working in plane restoration and mechanics at Fantasy of Flight, yet, for more than 25 years, he has been actively involved in filmmaking. He holds a coveted Screen Actors Guild card, which allows him to participate in making movies all over the world. He pilots a plane in the movie "Flyboys," the 2006 release starring James Franco. In each of Franco's flying scenes, the man at the stick is actually Ken Kellett, or one of his compatriots. He also appeared in the movie "The Blue Max" in 1966 and served as U.S. Team Captain on the TLC show "Junkyard Wars."
Fantasy of Flight general admission is $28.95 for adults and $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.
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.
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