Anyone who’s ever stared up to watch an eagle or osprey soaring above the Tennessee River Gorge has probably also marveled at the ingenuity involved in creating and flying modern aircraft.

Legends of Flight 3D places audiences at the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX Theater in the cockpit to experience the joy of soaring silently above mountain peaks, the thrills of barnstorming in a bi-plane and the challenges of engineering the next generation of passenger jets.

Special showings of Legends of Flight 3D will “board” at the IMAX Theater Aug. 13–16, with daily “departures” at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Additional showings will be at 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Legends of Flight 3D demonstrates how modern science and materials advances permit aeronautical engineers to dream and build aircraft that emulate natural flight, as never before. This film makes generous use of computer animation and other effects to make it perhaps the most advanced flight teaching tool ever presented to a general audience.

“Our mission was not to make another airplane movie – but to share with the viewing public the significance of achievement in design and manufacture,” said Stephen Low, the film’s director. “It brings the concept of manufactured flight closer to nature than ever before. Our goal is to connect the dots between prior aviation advances and by doing so make the viewer more aware of just how far flight has come.”

Legends of Flight 3D brings the excitement of air travel to the giant screen through the eyes and experience of The Boeing Company’s chief pilot for the 787 Dreamliner, Capt. Mike Carriker.

Truly deserving of the accolade airman, Mr. Carriker has pilot time in more than 130 aircraft types and serves as the audience’s guide, interpreter, flight instructor and amiable companion. With him, viewers will enjoy the serenity of soaring through majestic mountain peaks and then feel the sheer exhilaration of a Harrier Jump Jet as it leaps into the sky and rockets to tactical speed.

Audiences will also feel like they’re on a hair-raising barnstorming flight in a Stearman bi-plane.

Bringing the past into the present, the film’s highpoint is the pre-flight drama surrounding the world’s most anticipated commercial aircraft’s maiden flight – the first flight of the 787 Dreamliner. Cpt. Carriker, with the audience as his co-pilot, takes the airplane skyward for the first time.

Scheduled Flights:
Daily at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Additional shows Friday and Saturday at 9 p.m.

Boarding Passes
Adults $8.50, Children (ages 3-12) $6.

Flight Duration:
42 minutes