Here’s your chance to ‘pilot’ a DC-3 from Paine Field

MUKILTEO — Here’s a chance to pilot a historic Douglas DC-3.

And you don’t need to have ever flown before.

The Historic Flight Foundation is allowing a dozen people the opportunity to fly the commercial airliner of the 1930s and ’40s — under the supervision of a trained pilot.

And they’ll get a behind-the-scenes tour of the foundation and Paine Field.

People just need to write an essay on why they should be selected and enter the contest by this Friday. The 12 most creative and compelling entrants will be selected and notified by Aug. 19.

“A lot of people really have a passion for this stuff, but have never really had a chance to get up in the air in a DC-3,” said Anthony Cogswell, who’s working for the nonprofit on the contest.

People can enter their essays at: tinyurl.com/FacebookHFFcontest or historicflight.org/hf/pilot-for-a-day-contest/.

The winners of the “Pilot For A Day” contest will go on the tour of the nonprofit’s collection, then go on a flight from 11 a.m to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 27. Historic Flight founder John Sessions will lead the group on a tour that includes an up-close look at the collection’s World War II warbirds and aircraft, a chance to get the experience of an aviation mechanic and a tour of Paine Field airport and its air traffic control tower.

And then, the flight.

People who enter the essay contest need to keep their language civil: Entries containing profane or indecent language will be disqualified.

Of course, all participants must sign a waiver releasing The Historic Flight Foundation from any liability related to injury or death from the “Pilot For A Day” event.

The Historic Flight Foundation was established in 2003 to collect, restore and share significant aircraft from the period between the solo Atlantic crossing of Charles Lindbergh and the first test flight of the Boeing 707.

The general public and those who were not selected to participate in person can follow the event live through Twitter via @HistoricFlight and #Pilot4Day.

Historic Flight Foundation is at 10719 Bernie Webber Drive, Mukilteo. Enter from Mukilteo Speedway on the west side of Paine Field.