Warbird Adventures, the company behind the Kissimmee Air Museum, hosted its inaugural Fly-In on October 17, with 200 people in attendance at the Kissimmee airport. The company’s two airplane hangars, one of which houses the museum, hold 12 World War II planes, and Warbird coordinated the daylong event in an effort to give local residents a look at the historic planes and increase awareness about the museum.
“It seemed only natural,” said Warbird public relations director KT Budde-Jones. “We have German planes, October is wonderful flying weather, and the event is a great way to promote the restoration of the fighter planes we have here and encourage people to discover the museum.”
Warbird and local pilots parked 36 planes along the edge of the tarmac outside one of the hangers, and Budde-Jones created a designated viewing area—much closer to the plane activity than is normal for airports—to give guests an up-close look at the planes as they took off, landed, and taxied to and from the runway.
Aviation groups like Pilots N Paws, Angel Flight, SunState Aviation, and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association set up table and airplane displays inside the hangars. Strong Parachutes also had representatives demonstrating how to pack a parachute.
Savor…Osceola Catering by SMG provided German food stations, serving bratwurst and sauerkraut and American fare such as potato salad and hot dogs.
Halfway through the event, Warbird conducted a raffle drawing for a flight in a Stearman plane—regularly priced at more than $100—three museum memberships, and a company T-shirt and hat. The Valiant Air Command also brought its World War II C-47 plane, the Tico Belle, to the event and sold flights starting at $200 each.
