Compiled List of Aircraft-Accessible Aviation Museums

More info on the Kalamazoo Michigan Air Zoo KAZO
www.airzoo.org
Yes, you can taxi right to the museum.

My son, Father in law, and nephew visited the museum last summer. The
highlight was the SR71, but not only did we get to see it, we got a trip to
the restoration center where various parts of the SR 71, including the
engines had been removed for various reasons. This was a great hands on
tour on which we also got to view the museum's other aircraft that weren't
currently on display, but I'm sorry to say the guide informed us that they
may quit giving such intimate tours of the restoration center due to
insurance reasons. For those of you who have seen the Zoo's great
collection of Grumman Cats, ranging from the F14 Tomcat to the HellCat and
BearCat, flying at passed airshows including OSH, those days are over as
well. The director of the museum told us that their insurance carrier
reduced their coverage to a point where it is impossible to fly more than
one of the great cats at a time. The AirZoo's affiliation with the
Smithsonian Institute gives them the ability to "borrow" and restore some
remarkable and rare aircraft.

From Circlemichigan.com:
The Air Zoo, known as one of the world's finest aviation museums, in April
2004 will be known as the only aviation theme park in the world! Combining
the best of museums and theme parks - the "new" Air Zoo will delight and
amaze visitors of all ages, including live character actors portraying the
most notable names in aviation history. Talk to Orville and Wilbur Wright
after their historic flight at Kittyhawk or Charles Lindbergh after his
record-setting flight over the Atlantic. Groups can become part of the
mission over Nazi occupied Germany aboard a World War II Flying Fortress in
Michigan's only 4D theatre. A 3D theatre will put you aboard the space
shuttle, whose destination is a trip around the International Space Station.
Two carnival-style rides, depicting hot air balloon flights and bi-plane
rides will be featured inside the museum. See the world's largest mural (40'
x 400') as it portrays the history of aviation. In addition, full-motion
flight simulators, changing exhibits from the Smithsonian Institute, a
restaurant, expanded museum gift shop and nature trails will round out your
experience. The "new" Air Zoo will be the third building in a three-building
campus where each building features a different experience. A Flight
Research and Education Center will house an impressive display of World War
II aircraft, while the Flight and Restoration Center will be home to the
many ongoing aircraft restoration projects. The Flight and Restoration
Center is open by special appointment only.

--
Jim Burns III

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