MINDEN-TAHOE AIRPORT TO HOST WWII AIRCRAFT FOR PUBLIC FLIGHTS AND TOURS

May 21, 2014 Minden NV- The WINGS OF FREEDOM TOUR, honoring WWII veterans including the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress “Nine O Nine” WWII Heavy Bomber, Consolidated B-24 Liberator “Witchcraft” WWII Heavy Bomber and P-51 Mustang fighter will arrive at Minden-Tahoe Airport at noon on June 2 and will be on display until noon on June 4. Ground tours and display hours will be held from 12- 5:00  p.m. on Monday, June 2;  9 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3;  and from 9:00 a.m. through 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4.  This is a rare opportunity to visit, explore, and learn more about these unique and rare treasures of aviation history.

Visitors are invited to explore the aircraft inside and out and WWII Veterans can tour through the aircraft at no cost. The regular price for tours is $12 for adults and $6 for children under 12 is requested for access to up-close viewing and tours through the inside of the aircraft. Discounted rates for school groups are also offered.  Visitors can experience the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take a 30-minute flight aboard either the B-17 or B-24 for $450 per person.  The P-51 flights are $2,200 for a half hour and $3,200 for a full hour. For reservations and information on flight experiences call 800-568-8924

The Nationwide WINGS OF FREEDOM TOUR is celebrating its 25th year and visits an average of 110 cities in over 35 states annually. The WINGS OF FREEDOM tour is one of the most extraordinary and unique interactive traveling historical displays of its kind.

For further information about the tour stop at the Minden-Tahoe Airport, e-mail Chris Johnson, Airport Operations Supervisor at the Minden-Tahoe Airport, at cjohnson@co.douglas.nv.us or call (775) 782-9871.

The tour is organized by the Collings Foundation, a non-profit educational foundation devoted to organizing “living history” allowing people to learn more about their heritage and history through direct participation. The WINGS OF FREEDOM TOUR travels the nation a flying tribute to the flight crews who flew them, the ground crews who maintained them, the workers who built them, the soldiers, sailors and airmen they helped protect; and the citizens and families that share the freedom that they helped preserve. The B-17 & B-24 were the backbone of the American effort during the war from 1942 to 1945 and were famous for their ability to sustain damage and still accomplish the mission.

The Minden-Tahoe Airport is recognized as one of the best locations in the world for soaring and is home base to approximately 350 aircraft including 80 gliders. Annual aircraft movements are estimated at 90,000 with about 40 percent of these as glider/tow plane operations and motorgliders.  The Airport has an annual economic impact of over $42 million and is one of the leading airports in the Lake Tahoe region, The airport is currently working toward building a Sports Aviation Complex.