Wheeling airport to offer historical aircraft tours, flights

Have you ever wanted to explore historical aircrafts - or fly in one? Now's your chance.

Come out to Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling this weekend to live out your aviation dreams.

Participating in the Collings Foundation's Wings of Freedom Tour are the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress "Nine O Nine" World War II Heavy Bomber, Consolidated B-24 Liberator "Witchcraft" World War II Heavy Bomber and P-51 Mustang.

They will fly into Chicago Executive Airport, Tower Drive off Milwaukee Avenue in Wheeling, for a visit from 2 p.m. Friday, July 23, to noon Monday, July 26. This is an opportunity to visit, explore and learn more about these treasures of aviation history.

Hours of ground tours and display are 2 to 5 p.m. July 23; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 24; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 25; 9 a.m. to noon July 26.

A $12 donation for adults and $6 donation for children younger than 12 is requested for access to up-close viewing and tours through the inside of the aircraft.

Visitors also have the opportunity to take a 30-minute flight aboard these aircrafts. Flights on either the B-17 or B-24 are $425 per person. The 30-minute flight experiences are normally scheduled before and after the ground tour times.

P-51 flights are $2,200 for a half-hour and $3,200 for a full hour.

For reservations and information on flight experiences, call (800) 568-8924.

The nationwide Wings of Freedom Tour is in its 20th year and visits an average of 110 cities in more than 35 states annually.

For details, visit collingsfoundation.org or e-mail Hunter Chaney, director of marketing, at hchaney@collingsfoundation.org.