Falcon Field Mesa Az Museum

Coming Up At Caf Airbase Arizona

The first Saturday of each month is Family Fun Day. The museum offers discounted admission and activities such as balsa airplane target toss, mini-mystery reading activities, 30-minute Hidden Treasures tours and screenings of the Tailspin Tommy 1930s film serial. The next Family Fun Day is Aug. 7.

In August, the museums featured aircraft is a UH-1 Huey Alley Cat helicopter used during the Vietnam War.

Starting up again in late September or early October, visitors can fly in restored WWII aircraft including a B-17G Flying Fortress, B25J Mitchell, C-47 Skytrain, C-45 Expeditor, SN-J/T6 Texan and N2S-3 Stearman. Flights are currently suspended due to heat.

Flights cost $80-$850 per person, depending on the aircraft and seat chosen, and require reservations.

During the summer months, the museums bombers go on tour to about 40 locations throughout the country to educate the public and offer rides.

Our mission is to do community outreach while we are out there and invite out youth groups, scouts, the community and veterans, Carleton says.

Commemorative Air Force At Falcon Field

Love the old war birds. They have both a b-25 Mitchell and a b-17 g flying fortress in working condition. They fly! Awesome..

168173562

Very interesting old planes from the air force . we even got to sit in the gunners seat in a b-52 bomber.

Overall, it was a good experience, definitely recommended. First and foremost: you must go when the weather is mild, because there is no climate control inside the huge hangars, and part of the exhibit is outdoors. We visited on a cold, windy winter day, and I was chilled to the bone, to a point that I could not really enjoy the exhibits fully. I have seen several museums of flight, and this one is different for the nostalgic tone, with a strong focus on the golden age of military airplanes from the 1930s to the 1960s. It appears to be run by volunteers and enthusiasts, mostly older men. We talked to two of them, and I noticed that they mostly addressed my husband and nearly ignored me perhaps a little cultural bias there, but I did not mind. The artifacts we saw were very interesting, we spent about 3 hours there and we did not see everything. There is lots of WWII material. There is a B-17 bomber that you can enter to see inside, but the space there is very narrow, not suitable to people who are not fit or have movement impairments.

Pancake Breakfast At Falcon Field Airport

• Date: 12/18/2021 7:30 AM – 11:00 AM 12/18/2021 7:30 AM

Start your weekend with fun! Come to Falcon Field Airport for a pancake breakfast in a historic World War II aircraft hangar surrounded by beautifully restored vintage airplanes hosted by the Falcon Warbirds in collaboration with Aviation Explorer Post 352.

Visit with the pilots and learn how to get involved in aviation! Enjoy a hearty breakfast of pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, orange juice and coffee! Suggested donation is $8 per plate.

For the safety of your furry friends, please leave dogs at home ! Dogs and airplanes do not mix well!

Mark your calendar! The Falcon Warbirds & Aviation Explorers will host the pancake breakfasts from 7:30-11:00 a.m. on the third Saturday of each month from November-May. For more information about the 2021-2022 season, visit re www.falconwarbirds.com, or call Dick at 549-8892 or Steve at 295-4783.

Falcon Warbirds is a group of pilots who share their love of aviation by providing quality public access to genuine, fully restored, ex-military airplanes for display, guided tours, unique funeral ceremonies, missing man memorial flights, and exhibition formation demonstrations for airshows and other events. The pilots are highly experienced in every aspect formation flying. Falcon Warbirds is a 501 nonprofit charitable organization. the organization and its mission is solely funded by public donations that are 100% tax deductible.

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‘we Want People To Get Their Hands On History’

Museum Director Bobbie Carleton says patrons can walk right up to the planes and in some cases step up to look inside the cockpits.

We want people to get their hands on history. We want them to come up and see the planes, Carleton says.

The volunteer-run museum opened in 1978. A rare B-17G Flying Fortress bomber, which is still part of the museums collection, was the first aircraft donated to the facility. It is one of only a handful of its kind that are still flying. The museum also has restored six WWII warbirds to flying condition.

The museums aircraft are either authentic or replica combat veterans. A C-47 Skytrain cargo/transport plane in the collection has an extensive history that includes taking part in the Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943.

Many of the museums aircraft were privately owned before being purchased or donated. Carleton says that after World War II, many airplanes went into surplus, and private owners or companies purchased them to use for insect spraying, collecting, performing in air shows, flying passengers or moving products.

That is pretty common. What is uncommon is they survive. The time and expense of doing a proper job taking care of an aircraft is a unique area. You dont see a lot of people or organizations that are able to do that, Carleton says.

This Story Tells Why We Do What We Do

I drove out to California from Arizona for the Redlands Airfest to support 589. It was three hard days in the sun that I will never forget.

I arrived on Thursday afternoon so I could be there on Friday to meet with the event coordinator and ground boss setting up preparations at the last minute. I dont think my phone has ever rang off the hook like that before but we were able to bring The Black Pearl in to land at the West run-up area of the airport and eventually tow her next to the Marines V-22 and perform the 12-1/2 hour inspection.

Saturday is where the interesting story happened though, and it wasnt because we sold rides that I would act as load master on Sunday. No. Something much more significant happened, and this single event made the entire weekend worth all the time invested.

The show was well underway and I had already been talking with people for several hours. I was in the middle of a conversation with someone who had flown on UH-60s when someone ran up to me, shook my hand, and gave me a hug exclaiming Thats my bird! I was shocked and didnt notice that he walked off and continued my conversation with the spectator.

His eyes quickly started roaming around the cockpit and his voice started breaking. His eyes started to get puffy. I could tell he was holding back tears. I have never personally experienced such an emotional response to a machine made of metal and wire and rubber and struggled to hold back tears myself.

Paul Metzger, AAHF Arizona Chapter

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Flying Season Underway At Caf Airbase Arizona Flying Museum

– Sparkling blue skies and cooler temperatures mark the beginning of warbird flying season at the CAF Airbase Arizona Flying Museum located on the southwest corner of Falcon Field in Mesa. Living history flight experiences, museum exhibits, and speaker programs headline the popular museums activities. As always, these activities are geared for all ages to enjoy.

• Flights and group tours can be booked online by going to www.azcaf.org.

• Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Admission may be purchased online or at the door and is $15 per person – discounts offered for veterans, seniors, and children.

• Most activities and programs are included with admission.

• Living history flights are priced separately. See details about aircraft choices schedules, pricing and options to book online. https://www.azcaf.org/fly-with-us/

The featured warbird for the Fall season is the mighty SNJ, also known as the AT-6 Texan. Eighty years ago, young British airmen began to arrive at Falcon Field to begin their flight training as World War II raged in Europe. They received their basic and advanced training in the AT-6 fighter trainer before they moved up to warplanes like the Spitfire or Mosquito to go into combat against the Nazis.

Museum exhibits depict the inspiring story of 100 years of military aviation from when powered flight first began, to the jet age in a collection of unique exhibits and artifacts.

Read What Visitors Are Saying

The people have spoken: The Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum has been voted one of the top things to do in Mesa! See what people are saying about their unforgettable experience.

SweetSydneyToronto

We have been to many aviation museums and this one has a lot to offer. It is a self-guided tour with docents to aid and discuss the different planes. It is well laid out with videos and displays and pictures to support the planes and history. There are a few planes on the tarmac, a main hanger and maintenance hanger to visit. Allow a couple of hours minimum. Well worth the visit.

rudderjt

If you love history and airplanes, a must seeI’ve been here several times, every time there’s something new. Wonderful displays interpreting WWII and Vietnam especially. Docents are knowledgeable and fun to visit with. Nice gift shop. If you love airplanes, you’ll love this place.

Stephen W

Great spot for WW II history and artifacts, but the real treat is being able to go inside the vintage aircraft, B17, B25 and C47 on open house days. Need to watch the sites calendar for special days when the warbirds fly!

carolf445

Diana L W

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‘we Have No Place To Go’

Condon said the city asked his group to vacate the hangar by April 22. But they’ve asked for more time.

There’s no way they can get all of their things out of the hangar so quickly, he said, and more importantly, “We have no place to go.”

Wright said the city is working with the non-profit to find them another space at Falcon Field.

“The city values all of the tenants out there, whether it’s aviation enthusiasts, pilots with private planes, or old warbirds, we want to work with them to keep them out there,” Wright said.

But Condon said all that’s been offered to the group so far are hangars that are too small to fit all of their planes. He said his team’s still hopeful they can convince the city to reconsider its eviction decision.

Kris Van den Bergh, one of the foundation’s directors, asked the council to see Wings of Flight as the community asset that it is.

“I think in life there’s opportunities to keep history. Sometimes, very few people have the opportunity to make history. I think here you, us we have the opportunity to actually make history by keeping history,” Van den Bergh said.

Events And Activities Related To Falcon Field Airports History And 80th Anniversary:

Wings of Flight Foundation has created an archive in partnership with the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, England for the pictures and stories about the No. 4 British Flying Training School: americanairmuseum.com/unit/4175.

Documentary film producer Kelly Sallaway of Rushbrook Media is filming a series about each of the six British Training Flying Schools established in the U.S. to train British Royal Air Force and Allied pilots during World War II. Her film crew traveled to England to interview cadet families and collect their stories. A preview of her film will be a highlight of the Nov. 13 gala.

Wings of Flight Foundation has been working with local museum curator Steve Hoza to develop an educational display for the historic hangar at Falcon Field that includes pictures, first-hand stories and memorabilia depicting what it was like to be a pilot cadet training at Falcon Field during World War II.

Daryl F. Mallett, author of the Falcon Field book in the Images of America book series by Arcadia Publishing, has created a Facebook page where descendants of Royal Air Force pilot cadets can connect: .

On Veterans Day, Thursday, Nov. 11, the Commemorative Air Force Museum at Falcon Field Airport is offering FREE admission to anyone who has served in the U.S. armed forces. A Bells of Peace Observance will be held at the museum at 11 a.m. The museum is located at 2017 N. Greenfield Road, and it will be open 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

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What To Do & Area Attractions

Mesa City offers plenty of hotel accommodations just within few kilometers drive from the airport. Travelogde Suites by Wyndham Phoenix Mesais 2-star hotel located just 4.7 kilometers from Falcon Field Airport that offers modern accommodation ideal for a relaxing overnight stay. Other nearby hotels from the airport are the Quality Inn & Suites and the budget-friendly Days Inn by Wyndham Mesa East.

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is the nearest passenger public-used airport from Falcon Field Airport.

On this page it is easy to search for Mesa, AZ airport hotels, we have listed hotels, airport motels,resorts, inns in order of proximity, closest airport lodging options are listed first. Mesa, AZ, United States airportarea map also gives you guidance on the distance of these hotels from the MSC airport.Most of these MSChotels are designed to serve frequent travelers. If you are on business trip or family vacation or if your flight is delayedand you need an overnight stay near the airport. Some of these Mesa, AZmotels have passenger pick up or free airport shuttle service which you can take advantage of.Some of the main attractions in the area around the MSC airport are Luke Air Force Base, Arizona Grand Golf Course, and Kierland Commons.

Falcon Field Airport Msc Mesa

Falcon Field Airport is a civil public airfield established on July 16, 1941 located in north of Mesa City in Maricopa County, Arizona. It has an assigned IATA airport code of MSC and was classified by the National Plan of Integrated Airport System as reliever or relief airport offering additional facility for main commercial airport. The airport is owned and managed by the local city government catering the general aviation needs of Mesa and its nearby cities of Tempe, Gilbert and Chandler.

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Mesa Evicts World War Ii Aviation Non

On any given day, three to six historic planes sit in an old-time airplane hangar at Mesa’s Falcon Field. A Union Jack and a 48-star American flag hang from the ceiling, and black-and-white photographs of young military men and their aircraft adorn the aging walls.

The planes are the same type that the British Royal Air Force cadets used to train for battle in the 1940s. The hangar is the same one used by thousands of those cadets who trained in Mesa during World War II.

The Royal Air Force’s presence at Falcon Field is a unique, but often forgotten, sliver of Mesa history. That’s why a group of pilots and history aficionados started the Wings of Flight Foundation in 2007. There are multiple non-profits and museums at Falcon Field, but theirs is the only one focused specifically on the history of the British training program.

The non-profit has operated out of half of a city-owned hangar there for about four years, but on March 20, members received an eviction notice. The group had one month to pack up and vacate the property.

“We were kind of blindsided,” said Wings of Flight Foundation member Dennis Glauner.

Mesa signed a lease with a local aircraft repair company in early March to take over the entire 20,000-square-foot hangar. Precision Heli-Support is slated to move in to the building in June.

City officials say the new tenant is good for Mesa’s economy as it will grow local jobs and spur additional development.

Sharing Stories Of The Planes And The People

Former military members and surviving families often donate artifacts such as flight logs, uniforms, journals and photographs. One such artifact at the museum is a recovered piece from the USS Arizona, a battleship sunk during the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack.

Carleton says the museum brings the aircraft and artifacts to life through the stories of the people connected to them.

We believe that in order for our museum to be effective, we cant just clunk hardware on the floor. Its got to be about the people. We want to be able to tell stories about real people, Carleton says.

The museum highlights how people from many backgrounds have made contributions. Exhibits highlight the Tuskegee Airmen, Women Airforce Service Pilots, Aztec Eagles and Flying Tigers.

Visitors can walk through a maintenance hangar where volunteer mechanics work on the museums aircraft and lead tours. The museums more than 150 volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds, including with airlines and the military.

We have a very passionate group of volunteers that believe in the history of aviation and definitely want to share this with the community, says Carleton, who is retired from the Navy.

When she started with the museum, Carleton worked in the aircraft maintenance area and then took part in aircraft restoration projects before moving over to development of museum exhibitions.

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Caf Airbase Arizona Flying Museum

When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays.

Where: 2017 N. Greenfield Road, Mesa.

Admission: $15, $12 for age 62 and older and veterans, $5 for ages 5-12, free for age 5 and younger and active military members. On Family Fun Day, admission is $5 per person, free for age 5 and younger, or $10 for a family of four.

Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum

The Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum, a.k.a. Airbase Arizona Aircraft Museum, was established in 1978, in Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona. It is the 10th unit of the Commemorative Air Force and the home of one of the largest Commemorative Air Force units in the world. On exhibit are World War II artifacts, helicopters and classic American and foreign combat planes, many of which are the last remaining warbirds of their kinds.

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