Kermit Weeks, creator and founder of Central Florida’s Fantasy of Flight aviation attraction and a championship aerobatics pilot, has been selected to join the Florida Aviation Hall of Fame. Weeks was inducted on Dec. 11 at the society’s sixth annual induction ceremony, held in the Florida Air Museum on the Sun ‘n Fun campus at Lakeland, Fla.
Weeks was one of three men inducted into the society this year, one of whom was honored posthumously. A pilot and aircraft designer, Weeks has placed among the top three aerobatics champions in the world five times and has won more than 20 medals in world aerobatic championships.
He began restoring and preserving antique aircraft in the 1970s and today owns more than 140 civilian and military planes, on public display at his Polk City, Florida, Fantasy of Flight since 1995. The attraction is the only one in the world offering daily aerial demonstrations featuring rare, vintage aircraft. It also features daily tours of the restoration shops where craftsmen work to restore and rebuild aircraft to flyable condition.
Also inducted this year were Zack Mosley, who flew hundreds of missions for the Civil Air Patrol during World War II and created the nationally syndicated aviation feature
“Smilin’ Jack,” as well as Ed Hoffman, designer and builder of all-wood airplanes. Mosley died in 1993.
“I am absolutely humbled to be counted among the great men and great pilots who have been inducted into the Florida Aviation Hall of Fame,” said Weeks. “I feel incredibly fortunate to be honored for simply doing what I love.”
