Is the movie Fly Away Home (1996) based on a true story?

Yes, Fly Away Home is loosely based on the true story of Bill Lishman, a Canadian inventor, artist, and ultralight aircraft enthusiast who pioneered the use of ultralight aircraft to lead flocks of migratory geese on new migration routes. The film also draws inspiration from Lishman’s autobiography, Father Goose. However, the characters and specific events portrayed in the movie are fictionalized.

What is the true story behind the movie Fly Away Home (1996)?

The movie Fly Away Home (1996) is based on the true story of Bill Lishman, a Canadian artist and inventor who helped train a flock of geese to follow his ultralight plane in order to migrate south for the winter. Lishman began experimenting with flight in the early 1980s, using his light aircraft to guide geese from his farm in Ontario, Canada to Florida. He discovered that geese imprint on the first moving object they see after hatching, and can be trained to follow a similar object in migration.

In 1988, Lishman hatched a clutch of goslings and became their “mother” by wearing a custom-made suit to simulate a goose in order to imprint the geese on him. He then taught them to fly using his ultralight plane, and after several months, successfully led them on their migration south. Lishman continued to fly with the geese over several winters, gradually expanding his flock until he had over 100 birds.

The story inspired the screenplay for Fly Away Home, starring Jeff Daniels and Anna Paquin, which fictionalizes the story and adds a subplot about a young girl who helps the birds learn to fly. The film was a critical and commercial success, and helped raise awareness about the importance of conservation and the protection of migratory birds.

Are there any books about the true story behind the movie Fly Away Home (1996)?

Yes, there is a book about the true story behind the movie Fly Away Home. The book is called “Father Goose: One Man, a Gaggle of Geese, and Their Real-Life Incredible Journey South” and is written by William Lishman, who is the inspiration for the main character in the movie.

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