National Museum of Naval Aviation
With over 4,000 artifacts and over 150 meticulously restored aircraft representing Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard aviation, this museums shows just how much blood, sweat, and tears go into defending the United States. The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps have trained at the U.S. Naval Air Station since they began flying planes early in the 20th century. Celebrating their heroics, this museum has more than 100 aircraft dating from the 1920s to the space age, plus exhibits on subjects such as POWs. There’s even a torpedo bomber flown by former U.S. president George H. W. Bush during World War II.
Children and adults can sit at the controls of a jet trainer, and the mock-ups of aircraft-carrier conning towers and hangar decks are realistic. You can almost feel the tug of gravity while watching the Blue Angels—who are based at NAS Pensacola and can be often seen practicing overhead—and other naval aviators soaring about the skies in the Magic of Flight, one two several shown on a gigantic screen at the museum.
If the movie doesn’t get your stomach churning, then a 15-minute ride in the flight-motion simulator will. Using high-tech video and real motion, it simulates a high-speed, low-level mission in the navy’s F-18 Hornet jet fighter for $7.50 per person. A ride on a MaxFlight Simulator is $40 per person and memorable to say the least! All guides are retired naval and Marine Corps aviators, which adds a personal touch to the hour-long museum tours. Allow at least half a day here. Guided tours are free and given daily at 9:30am, 11am, and 1pm.
With over 4,000 artifacts and over 150 meticulously restored aircraft representing Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard aviation, this museums shows just how much blood, sweat, and tears go into defending the United States. The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps have trained at the U.S. Naval Air Station since they began flying planes early in the 20th century. Celebrating their heroics, this museum has more than 100 aircraft dating from the 1920s to the space age, plus exhibits on subjects such as POWs. There’s even a torpedo bomber flown by former U.S. president George H. W. Bush during World War II.
Children and adults can sit at the controls of a jet trainer, and the mock-ups of aircraft-carrier conning towers and hangar decks are realistic. You can almost feel the tug of gravity while watching the Blue Angels—who are based at NAS Pensacola and can be often seen practicing overhead—and other naval aviators soaring about the skies in the Magic of Flight, one two several shown on a gigantic screen at the museum.
If the movie doesn’t get your stomach churning, then a 15-minute ride in the flight-motion simulator will. Using high-tech video and real motion, it simulates a high-speed, low-level mission in the navy’s F-18 Hornet jet fighter for $7.50 per person. A ride on a MaxFlight Simulator is $40 per person and memorable to say the least! All guides are retired naval and Marine Corps aviators, which adds a personal touch to the hour-long museum tours. Allow at least half a day here. Guided tours are free and given daily at 9:30am, 11am, and 1pm.
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