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 How
would you like to fly a North American T-6 Harvard, one of the popular
fighter-trainer airplanes used in WWII? Or, if you are a fan of the
popular TV show M.A.S.H., you might like to fly a Bell 47 helicopter,
similar to the ones seen in the show.
Adjacent to the Kissimmee Gateway Airport, Warbird Adventures will allow
you to either ride in or actually pilot one of these planes with no
prior flying experience. The choices in the T-6 Harvard range from a
15-minute flight to the "Ultimate Experience" - a 60-minute flight that
allows you to practice various air maneuvers several times. These planes
earned the title "The Pilot Maker" by today's pilots as well as pilots
from days gone by, and have been equipped with in-flight video so your
experience can be recorded. The Bell 47 rides also range from 15 minutes
to the "MASH Experience," allowing you to fly low level, land off field,
try an auto-rotation, and land and take off by yourself.
The
flying school is located next to the Flying Tigers Warbird Restoration
Museum, where visitors can see dozens of warplanes on display being
restored to their former glory. The museum houses an assortment of
memorabilia and WWII artifacts. Planes being restored include the B-25
Mitchell, the C-47 Dakota, several Harvards, a Vampire and a B-17 Flying
Fortress.
This
museum was created by Tom Reilly, a former resident of New Jersey, who
meandered south looking for a place with no snow. He landed in Orlando
and began his restoration business in 1971. He has thousands of hours of
experience flying over 66 types of aircraft.
Tom
moved his operation to Kissimmee in 1985 to take on the restoration of
two heavy bombers, and his facility became known as "Bombertown USA." In
1988, he established the Warbird Restoration Museum, so visitors co uld
see, touch and smell the planes as they were being brought back to life.
An added feature at the museum is the Warbird Restoration School, where
students can take a five-day intensive course which includes training in
tools, hydraulics, brakes, electrical and control systems, fabrication
and engines - areas that can help the student learn more about how to
restore these planes of the past.
The
museum is one of the many interesting attractions that can be found in
Central Florida. For a real look back at some of the planes that were a
part of WWII, the museum is a must for visitors and residents alike.
For
more information, as well as interesting photographs and descriptions of
many of these warplanes, visit Tom's website at www.warbirdmuseum.com
and click on "Know Your Airplanes."
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