Category Archives: Ford

FORD MOTOR COMPANY SPONSORED EVENTS EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017

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Cool Ford activities!

As Ford continues its second decade as the exclusive automotive partner of EAA AirVenture, Ford also is celebrating the F-Series’ 40-year reign as the top-selling truck. A fan favorite of AirVenture attendees, Ford is again bringing exciting experiences and new attractions for 2017, including:

  • The “BOOST” Ferris wheel, providing a perfect view of the EAA grounds, 50 feet above the Ford Hangar
  • Barenaked Ladies live in concert, resented by Ford, free of charge to all Monday AirVenture guests
  • The Ford Front 40 Lineup including the new 2018 F-150, F-150 Raptor and Super Duty trucks
  • The EAA AirVenture Fly-In Theater, showing free aviation-themed movies every night, including Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Hidden Figures, Sully and more
  • A full-size Raptor Racing Simulator where participants can share the experience of Ford Race Team in the 2017 F-150 Raptor
  • Model T rides around the grounds with the Model T Experience
  • Tough Tumblers Bungee Trampolines, the 30-foot Raptor Rock Wall, Ford Autograph HQ, Freebies and more

ONE-OF-A-KIND FORD ‘F-22 RAPTOR’ F-150 TRUCK AUCTIONED TO SUPPORT EAA YOUTH EDUCATION WORK

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Truck offers unique opportunity at EAA’s Gathering of Eagles on July 27
EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (June 29, 2017) — Ford Motor Company is again supporting EAA’s youth aviation programs by auctioning a one-of-a-kind vehicle, but this year with a new twist — the creation of a specially built “F-22 Raptor” F-150 Raptor for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017.
The truck will be put up for bid during the annual EAA Gathering of Eagleson Thursday, July 27. EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017, the 65th annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention, is July 24-30 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
“Ford’s support of EAA and AirVenture has allowed thousands of young people to discover, enjoy, and pursue aviation,” said Dave Chaimson, EAA’s vice president of marketing and business development. “The unique F-22 version of the tremendously popular Ford F-150 Raptor truck will be an enormously popular highlight of the Gathering of Eagles auction, and we’re very grateful for Ford’s support for our initiatives.”
The modification of a 2017 Ford F-150 Raptoris led by Ford design manager Melvin Betancourt with engineering led by the Ford Performance Team. The goal was to strive for a creative connection to the Lockheed F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft while highlighting the unique style, capabilities, and design features of the 2017 F-150 Raptor.
Among the modifications to the truck are a twin-turbo, Whipple intercooled, high-output EcoBoost engine, along with enhancements to the suspension, wheels, brakes and lighting. The F-150 Raptor also features a purpose-built audio system and interior modifications. It is the latest in a series of Ford specialty vehicles that have to date raised more than $3 million for EAA’s youth aviation initiatives.
“This F-150 Raptor is a new look at Ford’s tradition of building unique vehicles in support of EAA’s youth aviation programs,” Betancourt said. “We know this truck will create an unmatched buzz around this year’s Gathering of Eagles auction.”
Attendees at the Gathering of Eagles are eligible to bid on the F-150 Raptor, as are those prequalified to bid by phone during the sale. For more information, contact EAA’s development office at (800) 236-1025 or at gathering@eaa.org.
EAA’s Gathering of Eagles is held annually at the EAA Aviation Museum, drawing more than 1,000 aviation enthusiasts who support the aviators, engineers, and flight professionals of tomorrow. The event has drawn such personalities as actors Harrison Ford, John Travolta, and Morgan Freemen, sports luminaries Ken Griffey Jr. and Jack Roush, and aviation legends such as astronauts Jim Lovell and Frank Borman.
About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is the “World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available online at www.eaa.org/airventure. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org. Immediate news is available at www.twitter.com/EAA. 

The Largest Assembly of P-51 Mustangs to Fly in Over a Decade during the 43rd Annual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Exp

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The Largest Assembly of P-51 Mustangs to Fly in Over a Decade during the 43rdAnnual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Expo
(February 16, 2017 Lakeland, FL) Located at the Kissimmee-Gateway airport just outside Orlando, FL, Stallion 51 has long been noted as the nation’s premiere provider of transition training in the famous WWII-era fighter, the North American P-51 Mustang. A unique facility, Stallion 51’s expert staff teach owners and pilots of these historic war machines to operate them safely and efficiently in the modern age. Since Stallion 51 came into being they have attended the annual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In and Expo in Lakeland, bringing their stable of Mustangs to the Warbird Flight line with Mr. Mustang himself, Lee Lauderback flying his signature Solo Mustang Demo routine in the air show. This year, Stallion 51 is celebrating their 30th Anniversary, and they have invited their many Mustang friends to SUN ‘n FUN to help celebrate and commemorate the occasion. 
On Wednesday, April 5th, 2017 Stallion 51’s invited guests will arrive impressive formation for what is promising to be the largest assembly of P-51 Mustangs in over a decade.
“It’s been over a decade since the world has seen this many P-51 Mustangs in one place at one time,” said Greg Gibson, Air Operations Director for SUN ‘n FUN. “We have the honor of not only hosting them, but helping our friends at Stallion 51 celebrate their 30th anniversary.”
Not since the famous Gathering of Mustangs and Legends in 2007 in Dayton, Ohio has there been such a showing of the famous Warbird, and with over 7 acres of pristine apron space at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport appropriately named “The Warbird Ramp”, the week-long SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In is the perfect venue for bringing this elite group together. Over 30 are expected, and the excitement over the arrival is building.
Gibson’s enthusiasm for the occasion is readily evident. “It’s a historic event, celebrating one of the most significant aircraft in history. To see them all together is overwhelming, but we have a real treat on Thursday for our SUN ‘n FUN guests: all of them will fly in the airshow at once!”
The flight demonstration will take place on Thursday, April 6th during the daily airshow, which begins around 2PM. This will coincide with the first appearance of the US Navy Blue Angels, scheduled to fly later that same day.
In 1987, Stallion 51 Corp. established itself as a unique aviation business that specializes in rare expensive vintage aircraft built on the dream and passion of the Lauderback brothers. Lee, Peter, Richard and John are the cornerstone of the Mustang world; restoring, operating and marketing the rarest of the breed. Thousands of people have shared the cockpit with founder and president, Lee Lauderback and his crew through the years, learning about the magic of the Merlin and the mystique behind the Mustang. At SUN ‘n FUN 2017, visitors will get to see the results of their passion as the thunder of Mustangs roar overhead in a spectacular display not to be missed.
For more information on this event, please contact Greg Gibson at GGibson@flysnf.org or call him at 863-644-2431. For more information on attending SUN ‘n FUN, please visit www.flysnf.org. For more information on Stallion 51, visit www.stallion51.com.

Photo credit to Stallion 51 –














Photo credit to Tony Granat Photography