Vintage Aircraft Attraction Will Open At KPAE In Summer 2007

The Flying Heritage Collection, featuring rare World War II and Cold War-era aircraft acquired and restored to flying condition by investor and philanthropist Paul G. Allen (right), announced this week it will move its facility to Paine Field in Everett, WA.

The Collection has signed a lease with the Snohomish County Airport (KPAE) to locate its rare aircraft and artifacts to a 51,000 square-foot hanger on the Southeast side of the airport. Renovation to the hanger -- which will allow for more planes to be displayed at once -- will take place over the next six months.

The Collection is slated to open its doors at Paine Field in the summer of 2007. It is currently housed in a temporary facility at the Arlington Municipal Airport (KAWO).

The new 10-year lease with Snohomish County at Paine Field will also allow future growth for the Flying Heritage Collection and meet increased demands for public viewing. The Collection will continue its "flying day" program at its new facility at Paine Field, allowing the public to watch these vintage aircraft in action.

"There has always been an interest on the part of Paul Allen to keep the Collection in Snohomish County," said Gary Hoffman, project manager, Flying Heritage Collection. "The new location will allow us to share the Collection and its mission with many more people – making Paine Field a prime aviation destination to local and visiting aviation enthusiasts in the Northwest."

The airstrip at Paine Field is also home to the Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour.

"We are so happy to welcome our new neighbors to Everett and are looking forward to working with the Flying Heritage Collection to deliver a complete aviation experience to our audience," said Sandy Ward, spokesperson for the Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour. "Now visitors can conveniently experience the past, present and future of aviation right here at Paine Field," added Barry Smith, executive director of the Future of Flight. "The Strato Deck at the Future of Flight will be a great place to watch these beautifully restored aircraft on days when they take flight. And, it is a real pleasure to continue our long working relationship with the management of the Flying Heritage Collection."

In 1998, Allen began acquiring and preserving rare aircraft of 20th-century military aviation, many of which are the last of their kind. The Collection’s purpose is to preserve and highlight the increasing rarity of original vintage aircraft, to restore these artifacts to the highest standard of authenticity, and to share them with the public.

In 2004, Allen opened up the Flying Heritage Collection in a temporary facility located at the Arlington, Washington airfield. Since the opening, thousands of aviation enthusiasts have toured the facility and witnessed the iconic war birds return to the sky during regularly scheduled spring and summer "flying days."

Flying Heritage Collection’s new facility at Paine Field is slated to open in the summer of 2007. Until that time, public tours will continue to be offered on Fridays and Saturdays at its current facility in Arlington.

FMI: www.flyingheritage.com