KALAMAZOO,
Mich. This
summer, Air Zoo guests have the chance to take flight in a Cessna T-41
Mescalero, North American T-6 Texan and Vultee BT-13 Valiant, courtesy of Aviation
Adventures and Michigan Warbirds.All
three of these historic aircraft were used as trainers in the armed
forces. The T-41 was used to train Air
Force pilots beginning in 1964.
During
World War II, the T-6 was used as an advanced trainer in the U.S. Army Air
Forces and Navy. The BT-13 was also used
during the war as a basic trainer by the U.S. Army Air Forces.
Guests
can experience these aircraft with an array of flight packages including:
T-41
Flight Experience by Aviation Adventures
The T-41 Flight Experience is perfect for those who
want to go on a flying adventure. Passengers will get a bird’s-eye view of the greater Kalamazoo area. This flight experience lasts 20 minutes and
costs $75 for the first passenger. Each
additional passenger costs $25. The T-41 can hold up to three passengers.
T-41
Pilot Experience by Aviation Adventures
Those who dream of becoming a pilot will find the
T-41 Pilot Experience especially exhilarating. Passengers will learn about aerodynamics and how to pilot the plane by
using the flight controls. The passenger-pilot will have the chance to try
basic flight maneuvers such as turns, climbs and descents. At the end of the experience, the
passenger-pilot will be awarded a certificate of logged pilot time that may be
used towards private pilot training. This
30-minute experience costs $109 for the first passenger and $25 for each
additional passenger.
World War
II Flight Experience by Michigan
Warbirds
Experience the thrill of flying in the T-6 or
BT-13 with the World War II Flight Experience.
This familiarization ride will begin with a briefing from the
pilot. After the aircraft is in the air,
the pilot will let the guest take the controls and experience flight, firsthand! This 30-minute experience costs $200 and is
limited to one passenger.
Flights
from Aviation Adventures are offered Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until
5 p.m. and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Michigan
Warbirds flights are offered on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 5
p.m. Height and weight limitations may
apply.
Tickets and
gift certificates are available for purchase at the Air Zoo. To schedule a flight or
for more information, please call 269.382.6555.
