Detailed course includes a flight on a B-17 Flying Fortress

SEATTLE, April 17, 2012--On May 18 and 19, The Museum of Flight will be offering a unique, two-day course about the iconic, World War II Boeing B-17 bomber. The "ground school" will familiarize participants in the design, construction, operation and performance of the aircraft. Sessions include briefings about the plane's systems and how the aircraft is flown. The course features personal tours inside of the Museum's B-17 Flying Fortress, Boeing Bee, led by the Museum's restoration team. The sessions will take place in a classroom setting and in the Museum's B-17. The course also includes a flight in the Experimental Aircraft Association's B-17, Aluminum Overcast, while it is based at the Museum May 23 through 27. Registration is limited to 20, and the fee is $895 general/$795 Museum Members. Preregistration is urged.

For additional information and registration, please contact Julia Cannell, Public Programs Manager, at 206-768-7162 and jcannell@museumofflight.org

Photo: Cockpit of the Museum of Flight's World War II B-17F bomber. The Museum of Flight.

Course Details
Day 1
Sessions include:
Basic Design and Construction of the Museum's B-17F.
Small group orientation to the B-17F interior and exterior.
B-17F Operational Systems Overview:
Powerplants
Lubrication System
Turbo-Supercharger
Props
Fuel System
Hydraulic System
Electrical System

Day 2
Continuation of B-17 systems overview:
Environmental
Communication
Armament
B-17F aircraft systems review at the Museum's aircraft - components, checks and orientation
Viewing of vintage "How to Fly the B-17" films
Discussion panel/Q&A session with B-17 crew members and restoration team

Access this and all other Museum of Flight news releases online.

###
The independent, non-profit Museum of Flight is one of the largest air and space museums in the world, attracting more than 500,000 visitors annually. The Museum's collection includes more than 160 historically significant air- and spacecraft, the original manufacturing facility of The Boeing Co., and the world's only full-scale NASA Space Shuttle Trainer. The Museum's aviation and space library and archives are the largest on the West Coast. More than 100,000 individuals are served annually by the Museum's on-site and outreach educational programs. The Museum of Flight is accredited by the American Association of Museums, and is an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.

The Museum of Flight is located at 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle, Exit 158 off Interstate 5 on Boeing Field half-way between downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport. The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $18 for adults, $14 for seniors 65 and older, $13 for active military, $9 for youth 5 to 17, and free for children under 5. Group rates are available. Admission on the first Thursday of the month is free from 5 to 9 p.m. courtesy of Wells Fargo. McCormick & Schmick's Wings Café is on site. For general Museum information, please call 206-764-5720 or visit www.museumofflight.org

Mike Bush
Director of Marketing
and Public Relations
253.307.3225
Ted Huetter
Public Relations
and Promotions Manager
206.455.5360