What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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Kwiecien says Texas Raiders has since been restored to her original B-17G configuration, "and for over 50 years has been supporting the CAF mission of education, inspiration and honor at events where young and old alike can put their hands on history." Doc had a longer military career — and suffered a worse retirement. "Doc was delivered to the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1945 and was assigned to a radar calibration squadron in upstate New York," Wells starts the story. "The squadron was known as the 'Snow White Squadron,' and there were nine aircraft — Snow White, the Seven Dwarfs and the Wicked Witch. After serving 10 years, Doc was retired from active flying — and was sent to the U.S. Naval Station at China Lake, Calif., where it was used as a missile target. "After five decades in the Mojave Desert, Doc was rescued by a team of volunteers and then shipped to Wichita for restoration," Wells goes on. "Hundreds of volunteers worked 16 years — from 2000 to 2016 — to restore the airplane to airworthiness. More than 450,000 volunteer hours were put into the restoration project. "In February of 2013, a group of Wichita aviation enthusiasts and business leaders, led by retired Spirit AeroSystems CEO Jeff Turner, formed Doc's Friends, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, to manage the restoration project and help see it through to completion." Having saved the planes, keeping them airworthy is no small job, agree Wells and Kwiecien. "Parts for a B-29 Superfortress must either be restored or remanufactured and fabricated, which drives a lot of cost," Wells explains. "In all, it costs about $8,000 to $10,000 per flight hour to maintain and operate the warbird. This cost includes fuel — which is about $3,000 per hour — along with insurance, maintenance costs and aircraft reserve." "Warbirds are a specialized subset of aviation and require expertise in their particular kinds of airframes, engines and operational systems," adds Kwiecien. "The B-17 requires at least 30 hours of maintenance for each hour in the air. [But] the aircraft 'wants' to fly. Keeping it in the air is good for it; sitting is bad for it, just like your car. A comprehensive program that includes rigorous inspection and preventive maintenance routines keeps it flying safely and efficiently." Both planes will take passengers up in the air during their stay in Fayetteville. "These aircraft are noisy, and windy inside because they are not pressurized," Kwiecien says of the B-17. "You feel the roar of the huge radial engines in your chest when they start up, experience the wind as it barrels through the fuselage, and feel the vibration of the aircraft under your feet as it lifts off." In the B-17, passengers are allowed to stand up and walk around inside the aircraft when it's in flight, and may approach the big windows on either side of the aircraft, Kwiecien says. Flights start at $475 for the B-17 Flying Fortress. Wells says each flight experience with Doc lasts about 90 minutes and includes a history lesson, a crew briefing and a 30-minute flight. Prices start at $600. But that doesn't mean both planes aren't inspirational — and much more accessible — on the ground. "Traveling with Doc is a truly unique and humbling experience," Wells says. "It's inspiring to meet World War II veterans and listen to their stories about B-29 service. I'm honored to ensure we never forget the sacrifice of the Greatest Generation." "I love getting to meet the veterans and the families of veterans," agrees Kwiecien. "Although the World War II vets are leaving us very quickly now, at each city we usually meet one or two. And it's a special privilege to introduce someone to the aircraft that their dad or granddad served in." Open 7 Days a Week. Extended Hours. Licensed Therapists. Walk-ins Welcome. Franchise opportunities available. Call 248.360.6157. 60-Minute Custom Massage Session $ 49 95 First-time guest only. Sessions include time for dressing & consultation. To find a location nearest you visit: LaVidaMassage.com | Fayetteville 479.521.3232 Bentonville 479.876.8004 CALL OR BOOK ONLINE The award winning REME HALO® in-duct air purifier is the next generation of indoor air quality (IAQ) technology and capable of purifying every cubic inch of air that your central air conditioning system reaches. Breathe CLEANER AIR inside your home or business. To ensure we are doing our best to keep our clients and staff healthy, we recently installed air purification to our HVAC system. In-Duct Air Purification System Fayetteville 479.521.3232 | Bentonville 479.876.8004 The B-29 Doc Flight Experience flight has nine seats: Bombardier ($1,500), Cockpit/Pilot Observer ($1,200), Navigator ($1,200) and six Gunner seats ($600 each), explains Josh Wells of Doc's Friends, the nonprofit that maintains the warbird. "The bombardier, cockpit/pilot observer and navigator seats are in the forward section (front) of the aircraft, while the six gunner seats are in the aft section of the aircraft. Each seat provides its own unique, one-of-a-kind experience with seat-specific views and experiences." (Courtesy Photos) 4 WHAT'S UP! AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 COVER STORY Warbirds Continued From Page 3