The Flying Heritage Collection, a collection of rare World War II-era fighter planes in flying condition, recently celebrated its one-year anniversary at its new Paine Field location in Everett, Wash.
Located in a restored, working hangar at the southeast corner of Paine Field, the Flying Heritage Collection has seen more than 25,000 visitors in the past year and has hosted more than 7,500 attendees at its 2008 free summer Fly Day events.
“Our hope for the Flying Heritage Collection has been to capture the extraordinary examples of innovation in manned flight and share these stories with all visitors in a way that informs and inspires,” said Adrian Hunt, executive director of the Flying Heritage Collection. “These planes and artifact are important pieces of aviation history, and we are thrilled to have been able to share them with so many people.”
Since the Flying Heritage Collection’s move from Arlington, Wash. to Paine Field in Everett, Wash., the museum has doubled the attendance and revenue goals set for the year. Museum attendance increased more than 1,800% from the previous location and revenue exceeded previous years. In the past year, the Flying Heritage Collection has hosted recognition events on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, hosted Paine Field’s General Aviation Day and performed the “Missing Man” flight formation at a Fly Day event to honor U.S. Captain Bud Tordoff, the pilot of the Collection’s P-51 Mustang who passed away last summer.
The free summer Fly Days are scheduled for June 20, June 27, July 18, July 25, Aug. 8, Aug. 22, Sept. 12 and Sept. 19.
For more information: FlyingHeritage.com.
