wingsoverwaukesha

Contact:

Tracy Shilobrit
StrateVantage Communications
262.825.2613
tshilobrit@stratevantage.com

“Wings over Waukesha – A Salute to Veterans” to feature B-17 Bomber

and an Array of Military and Contemporary Aircraft on Father’s Day Weekend

WAUKESHA, WI, USA (May 4, 2009) – Aviation and military enthusiasts in Southeastern Wisconsin will enjoy a special event with their families on Father’s Day weekend, June 19 – 21 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at Waukesha County Airport. “Wings over Waukesha – A Salute to Veterans” will feature a variety of WWII aircraft on display, as well as military vehicles, the Flight for Life helicopter, the Civil Air Patrol, numerous military and aviation displays, and refreshments. Admission is free of charge.

The cornerstone of the ”Wings over Waukesha” event will be the “Aluminum Overcast” B-17 bomber, which is on tour from the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Museum in Oshkosh, and will be available for rides and tours. Several crew members who flew in the B-17 during World War II will also be on site at the event to offer their first-hand accounts of what it was like to fly in the magnificent aircraft. A commemorative poster featuring the “Aluminum Overcast” will be available for sale at the event.

“We’re excited to be able to bring together a wide array of aircraft, from vintage Warbirds to Flight for Life and the Commemorative Air Force’s PT-26 for families to enjoy on Father’s Day weekend,” said Steve Betzler, Wings over Waukesha Event Chairman. “The most exciting feature we will have is, of course, the Aluminum Overcast B-17 bomber, which played such a critical role in WWII, and we’re grateful to the EAA for bringing it to our event for local residents to enjoy.”

More information about this event is available at: www.wingsoverwaukesha.org.

“Wings over Waukesha – A Salute to Veterans” is a non-profit event generously sponsored by: 102.9 The Hog radio station, Delzer Lithograph, Innovative Signs, Atlantic Aviation, Joe Jones and AirMail Greetings, StrateVantage Communications, Musser Media Solutions and Jack Safro Toyota. Proceeds from the event will benefit the EAA and its Waukesha chapter, as well as the Commemorative Air Force’s Wisconsin wing, to further their collective efforts to keep WWII-era aircraft flying for years to come.

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1. When is the event?

Father’s Day Weekend - Friday, June 19^th through Sunday, June 21^st.

Gates open each day from 9AM – 6PM.

2. Where is the event?

Waukesha County Airport in Waukesha, Wisconsin

3. Can reporters and other members of the media get a flight in the B17?

YES. We are offering B17 flights for media on Thursday, June 18. If you are interested in participating in a flight and covering the story for your media outlet, please contact Tracy Shilobrit or Wendy Patzlaff, whose contact information is available on the press room page of our website.

4. What will we see at the event?

Wings over Waukesha is an aviation expo and salute to our veterans. In addition to the B17, many aircraft owners have committed to display their fabulous Warbirds and contemporary aircraft, and you will be able to see them on the ground as well as during daily flights over the airport. Some of the participating aircraft include:

· The fabulous and rare EAA B17 Flying Fortress “Aluminum Overcast”

· National Guard Blackhawk helicopter

· Flight for Life helicopter

· North American P51 “Mustang”

· Cessna XLS Jet

· North American T6 “Texan”

· Lockheed T33 “Shooting Star”

· Fairchild PT26 “Cornell”

· Diamond DA40 Modern Trainer

· Flight School displays and the Cessna 172 Glass Cockpit

· WWII Re-enactors

· Military Vehicles

Display aircraft may vary each day and according to weather.

5. Who will be available for interviews?

We will have many different spokespersons available for you to craft a unique story for your media organization, including:

· Wings over Waukesha event chairman and PR representative

· B17 crew members

· Veterans who flew in World War II in the B17

· Representatives of the organizations benefitting from this fundraising event – the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Waukesha chapter and the Commemorative Air Force’s Wisconsin wing

· Active military and veterans with their families who are attending the event

· Military and civilian pilots and aircraft owners who are participating in the event with their aircraft

6. How much does the event cost?

· Admission to the event and parking are free. With the exception of the B-17, all displays, attractions and aircraft can be viewed for free.

· B-17 flights are provided for a fee and are offered from 9:30 to 12:30 each day of the event. You can view the cost options for B-17 flights through the EAA link at the top of this page or on the Event page of this site.

· B-17 ground tours will be offered from 2:00 – 6:00 pm daily. Rates are:
$5 for adults

$15 for families (parents and their children)

$3 per person for high school groups of 10 or more

$1 per person for grade school groups of 10 or more

FREE - Children under 8 years old are FREE when accompanied by a paying adult.

FREE - All active military or veterans and their spouses may participate in the ground tours free of charge.

· All other displays, attractions, and aircraft can be viewed for free

· There will be refreshments, B-17 merchandise, posters and other memorabilia available for sale by various vendors.

7. Who benefits from this event?

Wings over Waukesha is a non-profit event to benefit the Experimental Aircraft Association and its Waukesha chapter, as well as the Commemorative Air Force’s Wisconsin wing, to further their collective efforts to keep WWII-era aircraft flying for years to come.

Lakeland R-C Club

Oconomowoc, WI