...and Continue 'Til Thanksgiving

If you've ever dreamed of flying like Charles Lindbergh or an early airline pilot, experience the feeling as part of a B-17 bomber crew, or hone your aviation photo skills, you'll have that chance this fall during the "Fantasy Flight Camps" hosted by the EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh.

The camps will include aircraft from EAA's priceless collection, with opportunities to get airborne and, in some cases, log training time in the airplanes.  The camps include experiences with EAA's flying Spirit of St. Louis replica, the 1929 Ford Tri-Motor and the Boeing B-17 bomber.  In addition, a special Aviation Photography camp has also been scheduled.  Each Fantasy Flight Camp includes a full weekend (Friday night through Sunday) of training and activities, as well as insider access to many of EAA's facilities.

"We designed the Fantasy Flight Camps to be a detailed study of a particular subject over the course of a single weekend," said Adam Smith, EAA AirVenture Museum Director.  "Every effort is made to create an experience that is simply available nowhere else, including once-in-a-lifetime flight experiences along with special museum tours and other activities."

This fall's camps include:

• Spirit of St. Louis (October 3-5):  Over the course of this weekend, participants will immerse themselves in the history of Charles Lindbergh's famous airplane.  The weekend includes a 30-minute dual instruction flight, which can be logged, in the only Spirit of St. Louis replica flying under Lindbergh's original N-X-211 registration. 
• Aviation Photography (October 10-12):  Join EAA's award-winning photo staff, regarded as one of the finest groups of aviation photographers in the world, as they explore the intricacies of finding that perfect airplane shot.  The weekend includes an air-to-air photo mission for participants with a subject airplane from EAA's Pioneer Airport vintage collection.

  

• Ford Tri-Motor (October 24-26):  EAA owns one of the last flying Tri-Motors, which became one of the world's first successful passenger airliners.  The full weekend of Tri-Motor training includes a final two-hour flight, in which each participant will have the opportunity to take the captain's controls under the supervision of an experienced Tri-Motor flight instructor.
• B-17 Flying Fortress (November 21-23):  EAA's B-17 Aluminum Overcast is one of just a dozen B-17s still flying, out of the more than 12,000 manufactured during World War II.  Participants will receive a full briefing on the history and operations of the B-17 and complete their experience with a 45-minute flight experience in the airplane, with the opportunity to occupy a number of crew positions.  (NOTE: Unfortunately, due to federal waiver regulations, participants are not allowed to manipulate the B-17 controls during flight.)

The Fantasy Flight Camp program fee includes all instruction, materials, meals and lodging in the EAA Air Academy Lodge.  Complete information, including booking and rate details, are available through EAA's web site.

FMI: www.airventuremuseum.org/flightops/fantasycamp