Those accustomed to dealing with concrete, easy-to-prove concepts, such as the mechanics of an aircraft, the physics of flight or the value of a rare vintage plane, are invited to fine tune their sixth sense this October as Fantasy of Flight explores the unexplained, unidentified and unexpected aspects of its collection of rare and vintage aircraft and reveals some of aviation’s most puzzling mysteries.
Two events, the family-friendly Haunted Hangar Walking Tour and nightFlight: Phase Three of the Paranormal Investigation, a late night experience, offer guests a chance to celebrate Halloween like never before, officials said.
The “ghoulie”-guided, half-hour Haunted Hangar Walking Tour engages guests of all ages with little known-aviation tales and unsolved mysteries — from the famous Lost Squadron to Lindbergh’s spectral companions. The Haunted Hangar Walking Tour will be offered daily Oct. 1-31 and is included free with the price of general admission and is free for annual pass holders.
Returning is Fantasy of Flight’s nightFlight: Phase Three of the Paranormal Investigation. Introduced in 2010, the limited-attendance nighttime tours are guided by Florida’s Apollo Paranormal Investigations (API), a non-profit team of paranormal investigators (sometimes referred to as “ghost hunters”) who have rated Fantasy of Flight an “11” on a paranormal activity scale of 1 to 10. During their four-hour experience, visitors will learn of the aircraft collection’s haunted history, explore the unexplained occurrences throughout the halls and hangars of Fantasy of Flight, visit locations where encounters have been recorded and engage in the hands-on use of the tools of the ghost hunting trade. The October 2011 investigations will further examine data collected by nightFlight participants during the initial programs in early 2011 and inspect unexplored areas and aspects of Fantasy of Flight operations including the mysterious female spirit “M” in the Officers’ Club, the new approach in the Carrier Deck with the cluster of Naval carrier-based aircraft and the Restoration shop.
nightFlight: Phase Three of the Paranormal Investigation will be offered Saturday, Oct. 1 and Saturday, Oct. 29. The tours run from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. and are $75 plus tax, per guest. Reservations are required. Participants are encouraged to bring a camera, voice recorder, video recorder and extra batteries. Recommended attire includes secure, flat-soled shoes, a watch and “quiet” clothing that doesn’t have strings or glow in the dark. Due to the subject matter, this event is recommended for adults. Participants must be at least 16 years old; those under 21 must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information: NightFlightExperience.com or 863-984-3500.
Any visitor who brings a donation of canned goods or non-perishable food items will receive $5 off the price of a single, regular admission from Oct. 1 through Nov. 10. All items collected will benefit The Mission of Winter Haven. Rice, pasta, canned fruits and vegetables are especially needed. The food drive discount is not valid with other offers or discounts.
Fantasy of Flight also hosts a number of other special events throughout the year. Remaining events include Roar n’ Soar, which takes place Sat., Nov. 12, and Sun., Nov. 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (gates open at 9 a.m.) at the attraction’s lakefront grounds and airfield in Polk City, Fla., midway between Orlando and Tampa.
For more information: 863-984-3500 or FantasyOfFlight.com
