Take Off: Celebrate Aviation Month in the South

Even today, we are still fascinated by flight.

Whether it’s studying the history, art, science or beauty of flying – there’s no denying that the attraction for this mode of transportation is strong.

National Air & Space Museum (Washington, D.C.), National Museum of Naval Aviation (Pensacola, Fla.), and The Carolinas Historic Aviation Museum (Charlotte, N.C.) are just some of the places in the South where you can immerse yourself in all things related to flying. And with November being Aviation Month, here are 10 additional aviation museums (and there are many more) you can “take off” into the world of flight around the region.

• Located in the Science Museum Oklahoma (Oklahoma City), the aviation exhibit features vintage airplanes and artifacts. It also houses the Oklahoma Aviation & Space Hall of Fame Museum.
• The Texas Air Museum in San Antonio is located at Stinson Field, which has the distinction of being the second oldest airport in the country. The museum itself features numerous rare (and unique) aircraft, such as the ARVO Tri-Plane and the Focke-Wulf 190.
• Southern Museum of Flight in Birmingham, Ala., features over 75 aircraft, including a Wright Flyer, B-25 bomber and more. You’ll also find the Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame here as well.
• Perhaps best known for their P47 Thunderbolts, Tennessee Museum of Aviation in Sevierville features other aircraft as well. Many are still flyable and with the runway right there, you might entertained with a demonstration or two.
• Some of National Museum of Commercial Aviation’s collection might look a little familiar to you. The museum, located in Forest Park, Ga., houses such items as the ASA Ticket Counter, Gate Gourmet Catering Truck and more.
• Home to the annual Sun‘n Fun, Florida Air Museum in Lakeland has over fifty aircrafts on display. However, perhaps the most interesting feature is the Howard Hughes exhibit. View his flight suit (and Katherine Hepburn’s), a model of Spruce Goose and other fascinating memorabilia related to him.
• Fantasy of Flight (Polk City, Fla.) just may be the only place you can board an authentic B-17 bomber, see a large collection of rare vintage aircrafts and then take a ride in a biplane. What’s really interesting about this museum is that it’s a hands-on learning experience for children and adults.
• Learn about the elite forces at Airborne & Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, N.C. Exhibits cover about 60 years and showcases artifacts the different operation periods.
• Explore a Kiowa helicopter, see Kentucky’s first aeroplane and more at the Aviation Museum of Kentucky. Located in Lexington, the museum is also home to the Kentucky Aviation Hall of Fame.
• Virginia Aviation Museum houses collections of civilian aircraft, military aircrafts and reproductions of the Wright Brothers’ aircraft. Also found at the Richmond-based museum is the SR-71 Blackbird.

photo credit: Both photos are from personal collection. (top right) National Museum of Naval Aviation; (bottom right) Florida Air Museum.