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SUN ’N FUN Campus, Lakeland, Fla. - (August 24, 2007) - “At the Controls: The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Looks at Cockpits,” a traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), offers visitors a unique perspective of cockpits from some of the world’s most impressive air and spacecraft. “At the Controls” will open at The Florida Air Museum in Lakeland, FL on September 29 and will remain on view through November 25.
The exhibit features 20 large-format color photographs of historically significant cockpits, such as the Wright brothers’ 1903 Flyer; the “Enola Gay,” a Boeing B-29 Superfortress; the Mercury “Friendship 7”; and the space shuttle “Columbia.” Using a 4 by 5 camera with 120-degree wide-angle lens and a variety of lighting techniques, photographers Eric F. Long and Mark Avino have created unique images that contrast the simplicity and complexity of cockpits throughout aviation history.Measuring approximately 4 by 7 feet, the images depict in rich and precise detail the evaluation of the controls, instruments and displays used to fly these air and spacecraft. The cockpits in the exhibition were selected because their instrumentation panels vividly illustrate the development and refinement of aviation technology. Additional information and complete views of the air and spacecraft accompany each photograph. The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum memorializes the national development of aviation and space flight. The museum maintains the largest-more than 33,500 objects-and most diverse collection of historic air and spacecraft in the world. For more information, please visit www.nasm.si.edu. Many other activities are planned during the exhibit’s tour at the Florida Air Museum, including the opportunity for every visitor to enter multiple drawings to be held after the close of the event that include prizes, such as: an introductory flight lesson at Air One Aviation, Lakeland; one hour in a full-motion professional simulator with a flight instructor at Flight Safety International, Lakeland Learning Center; a demo ride in a Bell R-22 helicopter at Silver State Helicopters, Lakeland; a flight around Lakeland in Sun ‘n Fun’s 1941 Stearman biplane; Florida Air Museum memberships; and a gift package from Sun ‘n Fun’s “Gifts of Flight” shop. Microsoft Flight Simulators will also be available for visitors to “fly” while at the Museum, and special opportunities will be available occasionally for other supervised flight simulator experiences, including a “Hot Seat Chassis” simulator with surround sound, and a vintage Link GAT-1 full motion trainer. An information station will supply guests with take-home materials on local flight training opportunities, including educational material from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). “At the Controls” opens on September 29 with “Picture Yourself at the Controls Day”, a special Florida Air Museum day geared toward increasing public awareness in regard to the history and significance of aviation and photography and to provide information on opportunities available to those wishing to become pilots, through exposure to “At the Controls: The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Looks at Cockpits”. AOPA will present information on “Project Pilot”, a program that allows current pilots to connect with prospective pilots in order to support and share experiences with those interested in aviation. And, the day will incorporate static displays of aircraft: both fixed-wing and rotor-craft; flight simulators, docent tours, children’s educational aviation craft activities, a toy glider for each visiting child, and question and answer opportunities with flight instructors. “Without question, ‘learn to fly’ and ‘careers in aviation’ are two themes that will permeate all activities planned throughout the exhibition’s stay with us”, explained McManus. Original Release
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