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The purpose of Caliope Aircraft is to :
1. Encourage and aid the retention and restoration of historical Antique aircraft;
2. Establish a library devoted to the history of aviation and to the construction, repair, restoration, maintenance and preservation of aircraft, particularly historical Antique aircraft and engines;
3. Host meetings, displays and educational programs relating to aviation with emphasis on restoration, maintenance and care of historical Antique aircraft;
4. Improve aviation safety and aviation education;
5. Band together those persons interested in historical Antique, Classic and Contemporary aircraft for their mutual pleasure, recreation and education.

About
They taught the world to fly!:
Wind, sand, and a dream of flight brought Wilbur and Orville Wright to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina where, after four years of experimentation, they achieved the first successful airplane flights in 1903. With courage and perseverance, these self-taught engineers relied on teamwork and application of the scientific process. What they achieved changed our world forever.
+ nice links +
⇔Wright Brothers Org ⇔ History of Flight ⇔ The First Flight ⇔ Naval Flight History ⇔ National Park Service ⇔ Nasa Exhibit ⇔ Tesla Society ⇔ Vintage Aircraft ⇔ Flight History ⇔
Wilbur and Orville realized that the motion of the air on a flying machine is frequently variable and tricky, causing the machine to rear up or down, or one wing to rise higher than the other, and the machine to become unstable. The problem—how to control a flying machine—was to find a method of restoring the machine's equilibrium both up and down and to each side.
Most pre-Wright experimenters had relied on human control to balance flying machines. The operator simply shifted the weight of his body to tilt the wings in the direction opposite from adverse action of the wind. But the continual contortions and acrobatics required to maintain equilibrium by this method were not within the skill of many experimenters. While using it, both Lilienthal and Percy S. Pilcher, an English experimenter, were killed in nose dives.

Services
Explore the First Flight!:
How many people can go up at a time?
Are aerobatic flights right for me?
What is the minimum and maximum age?
What should I wear on my flight?
What if my Gift Certificate is expired?
Are there any weight limits for the flights?
How can I purchase a gift certificate?
What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my flight?
Can I change my flight when I get to the airport for my ride?
What is your cancellation policy?
How safe is this?
What are your hours of operation at the airport?
Can I come by the airport and pick up a Gift Certificate?
Do the gift certificates expire? How long are they good for?
Where will we go on my ride?
Why can?t we do any aerobatics (loops, rolls) on my flight?
Can I bring a camera or camcorder?
When should I arrive for my flight?
How many people can go up at a time? - We have both a single seat and a double seat aircraft. Our 1941 Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3 seats the pilot plus one passenger at a time (weight limit of 300 Lbs and 245 Lbs for aerobatic type rides). Our 1940 WACO UPF-7 seats two passengers at a time (side-by-side seating; bring someone you like) The weight limit on the two passenger WACO is 395 Lbs combined total weight. You can, of course, book both aircraft at the same time and accommodate three people at one time (our pilots are very charming). Children cannot be placed on your lap during a flight. - top -
Are aerobatic flights right for me? - Check outall the sources available on the internet to find out! - top -
What is the minimum and maximum age? - The minimum age is around 5 years old for the two passenger aircraft and 7 years old for the single passenger aircraft. A child of normal stature for those ages and aircraft will fit safely in the seat belts and be tall enough to take in the view. - top -
What should I wear on my flight? - The aircraft offers good protection from the elements, so dress as if you were going for a ride in a convertible. If the temperature is above 50 degrees, you should be quite comfortable (really). When the temperature is below 70 degrees, a jacket (leather is best) is recommended. You should also bring sunglasses; we?ll supply the cap and goggles. - top -
What if my Gift Certificate is expired? - You have 30 days from the time of purchase to refund a Gift Certificate and 365 days in which to use it. Once a gift certificate has expired it is then an expired gift certificate and we can not honor it. Please try to schedule your flight as far in advance as possible also (this is the important part) please use it. - top -
Are there any weight limits for the flights? - The maximum weight for a regular (non-aerobatic) flight is 300 Lbs and for the aerobatic rides, 245 Lbs. In the aircraft, the weight limit is 395 Lbs combined, total weight of the two passengers. We ask for your weight before the flight, so please don't be bashful. - top -
How can I purchase a gift certificate? - You can purchase an instant gift certificate online by clicking here. If you want to purchase now and download later, you will have 7 days from the date of purchase to download your gift certificate from our website. It will take us a minute to process your order; we can then mail it to you in a plain brown envelope or you can come by the airport and pick it up. If you need it really soon, we suggest using the online ordering method. This lets you automatically download a personalized gift certificate, instantly. - top -
What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my flight? - There are a number of reasons we may cancel your flight due to the weather. Simply put, we will not take you up on a day where you will not be thrilled with your flight. Your pilot has the authority to cancel, change, or shorten a flight due to weather or other variables. If we cancel your flight due to inclement weather (at the sole discretion of Caliope Air) we will gladly reschedule your flight for the next best date. - top -
Can I change my flight when I get to the airport for my ride? - If you would like to change your ride to a longer flight or to a ride that can include aerobatics, you must tell us when you schedule your flight. Our flights are usually booked back-to-back and it is difficult for us to accommodate last minute changes. If you want to change from our single passenger seat airplane to our two passenger airplane, you will need to notify us ahead of time. - top -
What is your cancellation policy? - There is no charge for flights cancelled at least 48 hours in advance. However, once booked, if you cancel your flight within 48 hours you will be charged for the entire flight (this includes no shows. No exceptions). Our flights are tightly booked. If you arrive late (plan to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled flight time), that time will be deducted from your flight. Gift certificates can be refunded within 30 days of purchase and have an expiration date twelve months after the date listed on the gift certificate. - top -
How safe is this? - Everything in life has risk. Quite simply, your biggest risk will be driving to the airport. Safety is the only thing that takes priority over having fun. We give hundreds of flights each year and our pilots are FAA certified commercial pilots (and darn good-looking) with thousands of hours of experience. We maintain a perfect flying safety record and our aircraft is maintained to meet the highest FAA maintenance standards. We are insured. - top -
What are your hours of operation at the airport? - Our office hours vary. Often you?ll find us at the airport flying from sunrise to sunset. But if we?re in the air, it is difficult to talk with us. Please call us before coming out to the airport so we may provide you with the best possible service. - top -
Can I come by the airport and pick up a Gift Certificate? - If you call us before you come to the airport we can arrange for you to pick up a gift certificate from 7am to 9pm, seven days a week. - top -
Do the gift certificates expire? How long are they good for? - The gift certificates are valid for twelve months from the date they are given. - top -
Where will we go on my ride? - You tell US what you would like to do. Fly over your house or property, the Foothills of the North Georgia Mountains, Lake Allatoona, Downtown Atlanta, and/or Kennesaw Mountain. Just tell us what you have in mind and if there's time, we'll take you there. We will discuss with you a ?menu? of possible places to go before your flight. - top -
Why can't we do any aerobatics (loops, rolls) on my flight? - If you have not specifically prearranged an "?aerobatic?" ride, we cannot perform stunts. Loops, rolls and other aerobatic maneuvers are FAA prohibited unless a number of safety and legal requirements are first met. You must let us know in advance if you want to change an existing non-aerobatic ride. - top -
Can I bring a camera or camcorder? - Yes! A camera with a wide-angle lens is perfect. It should have a strap if possible. A camcorder is good as long as it is one of the smaller handheld types. We do not permit either on any of the aerobatic flights. - top -
When should I arrive for my flight? - We need you at the airport no later than 15 minutes prior to your flight time. Beats the heck out of Hartsfield, huh? - top -

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Caliope Air, Fresno California
717.654.9856

