Guests Treated to Dual Events as 2011 “Legends & Legacies Symposium” Continues, Featuring Author and Granddaughter of WWII Hero, Jimmy Doolittle

Scale modelers and pilots of radio-controlled aircraft will once again gather at Fantasy of Flight April 15, 16 and 17 for  “The Blue Max Scale R/C Challenge and Fly-In,” an AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) sanctioned event and the premiere competition for vintage and World War I era models and radio-controlled aircraft.

Also taking place April 15-16 is the third of the six-part “Legends & Legacies: A Symposium Series.” Entitled “Calculated Risk: The Extraordinary Life of Jimmy Doolittle,” the symposium will feature Jonna Doolittle Hoppes, author and granddaughter of Jimmy Doolittle, an aviation pioneer and World War II hero who led the famous Doolittle Raiders. Hoppes will present a touching tribute and an intimate view of her grandfather’s life.

This three-day event takes place at the 250-acre Fantasy of Flight in Polk City and will feature an adjudicated Static Judging and Fly-In Competition with awards for static display and aerial maneuvers. Entries are limited to aircraft that originally flew between 1903 and 1919.

Models competing in the event will include those made from commercial kits and planes built from scratch. Pilots must present an actual representation of the plane based on historical documentation.

During the fly-in competition, pilots will be judged on their flight skills, including five mandatory maneuvers (takeoff, figure eight, fly past, landing and flight realism) and a choice of five of 15 additional maneuvers such as a barrel roll, bomb drop, and stall turn, among others. This year’s competition will consist of just one round of flight competition, down from three last year. All aircraft must pass a safety inspection before flying.

WHEN:   Friday, April 15

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Blue Max competition.

10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. – “Calculated Risk: The Extraordinary Life of Jimmy Doolittle” open forum/Q&A. Meet and greet.

Saturday, April 16

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Blue Max competition.

10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. – “Calculated Risk: The Extraordinary Life of Jimmy Doolittle” open forum/Q&A. Meet and greet.

Sunday, April 17

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Blue Max competition.

WHERE: Fantasy of Flight is home to the World’s Greatest Aircraft Collection with over 40 rare and vintage aircraft on display. Fantasy of Flight is located off I4 at Exit 44 mid-way between Orlando and Tampa.  1400 Broadway Blvd., S.E., Polk City, Fla.  33868.

The public is invited to attend the Legends & Legacies Symposium and to watch the Blue Max fly-in competition and can do so by purchasing a Fantasy of Flight general admission ticket, which is $28.95 for adults and $14.95 for children, ages 6-15, plus 7 percent sales tax.