Kermit Weeks Net Worth

Overview

Kermit Weeks is an American pilot, aircraft collector, and aviation enthusiast. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah in July 1953 and grew up in Miami, Florida. Weeks has achieved many accomplishments in the aviation world, including competing in aerobatics, designing aircraft, promoting aviation, and restoring vintage aircraft. His interest in mechanical design and construction started early. At 17, he began building his first aircraft, test flying it at 21. By 1977, he qualified for the United States Aerobatics Team. In 1978, he earned three Silver medals and one Bronze medal in the World Aerobatics Championships. Weeks owns one of the largest private collections of flight-worthy historical aircraft across the world. In 1985, he opened the Weeks Air Museum in Miami to showcase his collection. In 1995, he opened Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, Florida. His fortune is derived from oil and natural gas royalties that originated from an empire founded by his grandfather, Lewis George Weeks.

Fantasy of Flight

Founder and Curator

Here’s a detailed overview of Kermit Weeks’ **net worth**, background, and related information: ## What Is Kermit Weeks’ **Net Worth**? Kermit Weeks, an American pilot, aircraft collector, and aviation enthusiast, has an estimated **net worth** of $200 million. ### Source of Wealth Weeks’ fortune primarily comes from oil and natural gas royalties, stemming from an empire established by his grandfather, Lewis George Weeks. Lewis worked for Standard Oil from 1924 to 1958 and later founded Weeks Petroleum Corporation. As CEO, he facilitated a deal with Exxon that led to the discovery of the Bass Straits, Australia’s largest oil field. This generates substantial oil revenue, with Kermit receiving a 2.5% levy on the oil and gas production from the Bass Straits. In the mid-1970s, Lewis Weeks was receiving $3.5 million a year in royalties which he shared with 11 heirs. When Kermit was in high school he received his first royalty check for $1,200. ### Early Life and Career Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in July 1953, Kermit Weeks developed a passion for aviation early in life. At 14, his family relocated to Miami. He began constructing his first aircraft at 17 and conducted the test flight at 21. * **Aerobatics**: Weeks began participating in aerobatic flying competitions in 1973 and by 1977, he qualified for the United States Aerobatics Team. * **Aircraft Design**: He significantly modified a “Pitts Special” aircraft, initially wanting to name it “Super Pitts.” However, with Curtis Pitts’s disapproval, it was named “Weeks Special” instead. Kermit also designed and built the “Weeks Solution.” ### Fantasy of Flight Weeks is the founder and curator of Fantasy of Flight, an aviation-themed attraction in Polk City, Florida, housing his extensive private aircraft collection. This collection includes over 140 civilian and military planes, featuring rare originals and reproductions like the Spirit of St. Louis. ### Aircraft Collection Details Kermit Weeks maintains one of the world’s largest private collections of flight-worthy historic aircraft, with most housed at his Fantasy of Flight facility in Polk City, Florida. His collection boasts over 140 civilian and military planes, including rare originals and reproductions of historic aircraft. Some notable aircraft in his collection include: * **Sikorsky S-38 replica (Osa’s Ark)**: Featured in the 2004 film *The Aviator*. It is the only S-38 that still flies. * **Martin B-26 Marauder**: One of only six existing Martin B-26 Marauder medium bombers from WWII. It was the only airworthy B-26 since 1995 until it stopped flying in the late 1990s or early 2000s. * **Curtis P-40 Warhawk (TP-40N trainer variant)**: One of the few airworthy, dual-control P-40s. * **Ford Trimotor**: One of Kermit’s planes was used in the 1984 movie “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” Weeks has stated that every aircraft in his collection has been flown by him, is being flown currently, or will be flown in the future. ### Recognition and Awards * Freedom of Flight Award (2010) * Lloyd P. Nolan Lifetime Achievement in Aviation Award (2012) * Induction into the Florida Aviation Hall of Fame * Named a “Living Legend of Aviation” ### Other Ventures and Holdings Weeks bought land in central Florida in the mid-1980s and aimed to build a larger facility, a “mini-Disney,” investing $200 million over 10 to 15 years. Besides aircraft, he has also invested in real estate. Kermit Weeks also has a YouTube channel, “Kermit Weeks Channel – Over 400 Videos to See!”, which has an estimated **net worth** of $74,800. The channel makes approximately $174 per month, and about $1.21 per 1,000 views. ### Personal Life Kermit Weeks is known for his dedication to flying and has been certified to pilot every aircraft in his collection.

Overview

Fantasy of Flight

Celebrity Net Worth