This is a photo of a few of the original Tuskegee Airmen. Photo Credit: Fantasy of Flight

Students Invited to Meet Airmen in Person at Fantasy of Flight's Legends & Legacies Symposium, "They Dared to Fly” on Feb. 7-9, 2013

POLK CITY, Fla. (Dec. 27, 2012) - For the third year, Central Florida students are invited to share their thoughts and dreams in an essay contest honoring the inspirational Tuskegee Airmen, the nation's first African-American military aviators - and to compete for prize money. Students in grades 6-12 are eligible to enter the contest, themed "They Dared to Fly" in reference to the values that landed the Tuskegee Airmen in the history books - leadership, excellence, advocacy, and determination. First place winners in each of two categories (grades 6-8 and 9-12) will take home $500; two-second place winners will each receive $300.

The contest is sponsored by Fantasy of Flight, home to the World's Greatest Aircraft Collection™, in conjunction with scheduled appearances by several original Tuskegee Airmen Feb. 7-9, 2013. The event will be held in celebration of Black History Month and marks the first of six symposiums in the attraction's 2013 Legends & Legacies Symposium Series.

Dedicated to preserving impactful moments in aviation history and inspiring future generations to greatness, Fantasy of Flight is inviting students to help with this mission by sharing their impressions of the revered Tuskegee Airmen of WWII in essay form. Students in accredited schools or home school programs for grades 6-12, are invited to write about how the principles of LEAD (leadership, excellence, advocacy, and determination) helped the Tuskegee Airmen achieve success or to describe how the student can use these values to achieve a personal goal of their own.

Required essay length for students in grades 6-8 is 350 words; 500 words for students in grades 9-12. Entries will be judged on overall content, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, legibility, and penmanship (as applicable). The deadline for the essay contest is 5 p.m., Feb. 22, 2013, and winners will be announced on March 8, 2013. Additional rules apply. For more information, visit www.fantasyofflight.com.

Of the original group of nearly 1,000 pilots trained and 15,000 ground personnel made up the Tuskegee Airmen, but only about 40 pilots and 200 ground crew members are alive today. On Feb.7-9, visitors to Fantasy of Flight will receive what is becoming an increasingly rare opportunity to visit with several of these famed aviators and hear their stories first-hand as part of "They Dared to Fly," the first of the 2013 Legends & Legacies Symposium Series. Students and student groups can use the first-hand information they learn while attending the symposium in their essay entry. Special rates are available for student groups. For more information, call 863-984-3500 or visit www.fantasyofflight.com/livinghistory.

"Reading the student essays last year, it was clear how much the participants were influenced by the Tuskegee Airmen, both by the men they met in person at the 'They Dared to Fly' symposium, as well as through the research they conducted on their own," said Kim Long, General Manager. "The Tuskegee Airmen are excellent role models in the values of leadership, excellence, advocacy and determination, and we at Fantasy of Flight believe those values are essential for anyone who wants to pursue his or her dreams, whatever they may be."

"They Dared to Fly," will be held Thurs., Feb. 7 through Sat., Feb. 9 and will feature several open-forum/question-and-answer sessions as well as meet/greet autograph signings with several of the original Tuskegee Airmen. During this unforgettable, three-day limited engagement event, the Tuskegee Airmen, the nation's first African-American military aviators, will share their personal stories of their military service and unprecedented success despite operating in segregated units. Fantasy of Flight's permanent multi-media Tuskegee Airmen exhibit and vintage aircraft collection, including the P-51C Mustang "Red Tail" provides the perfect backdrop for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet the brave men who fought America's enemies abroad while enduring racism at home.

In spite of adversity and limited opportunities, African Americans played a significant role in U.S. military history over the past 300 years, but they were denied military leadership roles and skilled training because of the belief that they lacked the required qualifications for combat duty. Before 1940, African Americans were not allowed to fly for the U.S. military, however, civil rights organizations and the black press exerted pressure that resulted in the formation of an all African-American pursuit squadron based in Tuskegee, Alabama, in 1941. Photo Credit: Tuskegeeairmen.org

The compelling and historically significant Fifth Annual Legends & Legacies Symposium Series brings to life the experiences of some of America's most courageous aviators through permanent and semi-permanent exhibits, real aircraft, and most importantly, their own personal stories and interactions with guests. All new programs this year take an in-depth look at World War I and the Cold War as well as saluting veterans of every era.

The six topics scheduled for 2013 include: "They Dared to Fly: Featuring the Tuskegee Airmen" in honor of National Black History Month, Feb. 7-9; "Beyond the Battlefield," March 8-9; "The First World War," April 6; "D-Day: Normandy & Beyond," May 3-4; "Espionage: The Cold War," Oct. 4-5 and "Veteran's Day Salute: A Celebration of Service," Nov. 9-10.

Symposium events are included in the price of Fantasy of Flight general admission and are free for annual pass holders. General admission is $29.95 for adults, $27.95 for seniors ages 55 and over and $15.95 for children, ages 6-12, plus 7 percent sales tax. Children age five and under are free with full paying adult. Group rates are available for groups of 15 or more; for more information, call 863-984-3500, ext. 220. For general information, visit www.fantasyofflight.com.

Fantasy of Flight is Central Florida's premier aviation-themed attraction showcasing vintage aircraft from the world's largest private collection; themed immersion experiences; interactive exhibits; a tram tour of aircraft maintenance areas; Restoration and Backlot tours; Fun with Flight center for families and the country's only Aerial Demonstration of the Day (weather permitting) featuring a vintage plane. General admission also includes The Tuskegee Airmen - They Dared to Fly exhibit; the multimedia tribute to the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) - A Passionate Pursuit, a walking audio tour, and many special events throughout the year.

New at Fantasy of Flight this year is Wing WalkAir Ropes Course & Zip Line, a thrilling outdoor attraction featuring a 600-foot zip line suspended four stories above water and a three-level ropes course complete with 33 midair challenges to be performed while tethered to an overhead line at heights of up to 45 feet. Ideal for families, couples, student/youth groups or corporate groups seeking teambuilding opportunities, Wing WalkAir is the first attraction of its kind in Polk County, located midway between Tampa and Orlando. Admission is $22 for the zip line and ropes course or $15 for the zip line and $12 for the ropes course when purchased separately. Group rates are available. Fantasy of Flight admission is not required for entry to Wing WalkAir.

Hours are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily. General admission is $29.95 for adults, $27.95 for seniors ages 55 and over and $15.95 for children, ages 6-12, plus 7 percent sales tax. Annual passes are available for $69.95 for adults, $39.95 for children ages 6-12, plus 7 percent sales tax, and are good for one year from the date of purchase. Biplane rides, through Waldo Wright's Flying Service, and hot air balloon rides are available for an extra charge. For more information about Fantasy of Flight, call 863-984-3500 or visit www.fantasyofflight.com.