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Air Zoo plane on display at Oakland County International Airport

August 25, 2011

Source: Danielle Nicholl
Job Title: Public Relations & Marketing Manager
Phone: 269.350.2811
Email: dnicholl@airzoo.org

KALAMAZOO, Mich.-Guests traveling through Oakland County International Airport's new main terminal will notice the Air Zoo's Pitts Special flying high above their heads.

The 1973 Pitts Special, which is suspended from the lobby ceiling, is on long-term loan to the airport. It was designed by Curtis Pitts and dominated world aerobatic competition in the 1960s and 1970s. Today, it remains a strong contestant in lower categories of aerobatic competition.

"The Pitts Special biplane displayed inside the terminal is among the 'wow' factors that will give travelers a positive impression of southeast Michigan," said Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson. "The new terminal is the gateway to Oakland County from the air."

Oakland County International Airport's new environment-friendly terminal opened to the public on Aug. 23.

The Pitts Special was built, flown and donated to the Air Zoo by Henry Haigh II of Howell, Mich. Haigh flew the single-seat biplane in various aerobatic contests.

For details about Oakland County International Airport, visit www.airfairocia.org. For more information about the Air Zoo's plane, call 269.382.6555.

The Air Zoo is a nonprofit organization located at 6151 Portage Rd. in Portage, Mich. It is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and offers a restaurant, gift shop and banquet facilities. Effective June 11, 2011: General admission will cost $8 per person. Unlimited rides and attractions may be purchased with a wristband package (Ultimate Ace-$15, Junior Flyer-$12, Co-Pilot-$8), which includes general admission, or tickets can be purchased individually for rides.

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