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Barnstormers Give Flights Of Fancy

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 14, 2008

ZEPHYRHILLS - The blue yonder beckoned Mike Stallings last weekend as he strapped into a bright yellow biplane that would take him barrel-rolling over the hills of eastern Pasco County.

Stallings, who owns a construction business in Bartow, was one of the thrill-seekers who visited Zephyrhills Municipal Airport during the weekend to view the traveling collection of historic airplanes known as History Flight Barnstormer Tour.

The flight was a Christmas present arranged by Stallings' wife.

For his donation to the nonprofit group, Stallings got an hour-long flight that put the plane - and Stalling's stomach - through its paces.

The three-plane show gives visitors a glimpse of the early days of air flight, when open cockpits, wooden propellers and piston-driven engines were standard equipment.

The History Flight Barnstormer Tour raises money to preserve World War II-era aircraft and to help locate remains of troops missing in action from the war.

The tour, which will be flying above southeast Pasco through Sunday, features a restored World War II-era Stearman biplane and a T-6 Texan. The airport is at 39450 South Ave. Tours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Kevin Wiatrowski

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