Apollo Paranormal Investigations (API) of Tampa have been to the hangars that house the wide assortment of vintage aircraft several times in the past year and they too have come to an unmistakable  conclusion: something mysterious haunts the popular attraction, just off of Interstate 4 in Polk County.
Last weekend, for the first time, paranormal enthusiasts got their chance to see what has intrigued API and spooked some Fantasy of Flight employees.

 The attraction, with the assistance of API,  hosted the first of three Night Flight events. API founders “Cliff,” “Lisa,” and “Angelo” have put together an experience not unlike what you will find on Ghosthunters or Paranormal State on cable television.

The $75 ticket includes a sort of paranormal basics 101 class prior to the after-dark exploration of the Fantasy of Flight. Participants hear about some of the possible paranormal experiences that have occurred at the attraction as well as see some of the documented evidence.
The evidence includes recorded voices, unexplained mists and possible apparitions on film.
Investigators are not sure why Fantasy of Flight may be “haunted.” The buildings are relatively new.

But the aircraft themselves have a lot of history, Cliff said, many dating back to World War II and earlier.

They think some of the paranormal activity is related to some of the original members of the flight crews of the historic exhibits, which includes a B-17 Flying Fortress.

“We’ve had a number of very interesting paranormal occurrences at Fantasy of Flight since we opened in 1995,” Kermit Weeks, owner and creator of the Polk City attraction, said. “I personally believe the apparitions and energies that have been experienced are not only connected to specific airplanes exhibited but the environment they are housed in as well.”

The display of aircraft also make a perfect backdrop for exploring the supernatural. There is definitely an eerie feeling as you walk along the darkened airplane hangars at midnight, knowing that some of the attraction's  employees have reported hearing voices and noises. One employee said he has seen the same ghostly individual near the B-17 FlyingFortress display, at least three different times.  

Participants of Night Flight are  shown how to use some tools of the trade,  including instruments that measure sounds, temperature changes and electromagnetic fields, one of the strong indicators of some kind of paranormal presence.

Participants are split into three different groups, each with their own paranormal team leader as they go in their ghost-hunting experience at the attraction.

Not too much out of the ordinary happened on the first Saturday night of Night Flight, but API wants this to be a real experience, so whatever happens happens. Nothing is staged.

As the API experts explain before the event begins, much of what occurs will be subtle. Sometimes data, such as a voice or unexplained sound, is not found until later, after closer examination.

The four-hour experience, which begins at 9:30 p.m.,  also includes refreshments. Additional dates with the paranormal at Fantasy of Flight are Feb. 13 and 27. The Feb. 13 event is a Valentine's Day event for couples looking for an out-of-the--ordinary way to spend an evening together.

Participants are encouraged to bring a camera, voice recorder, video recorder and extra batteries. Due to the subject matter, this event is recommended for adults.  Participants must be at least 16 years old and accompanied by an adult if under 21 years old.
For more information, visit www.fantasyofflight.com/nightFlight. To make a reservation, call 863-984-3500.