THE MUSEUM OF AVIATION AT ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE is one of the largest aviation education–oriented Museums in America and a major tourism destination in the Southeast. Situated on a beautiful 43-acre site adjacent to the south gate of Robins Air Force Base, the museum boasts a premier collection of 90 aircraft and missiles dating from an early 1896 glider to modern-era aircraft such as the SR-71 Blackbird, U-2 Dragon Lady and F-15 Eagle. Informative and interesting exhibits tell the story of aviation events from World War II, the Korean War, Desert Storm and the major role of Robins Air Force Base, the largest industrial employer in Georgia.

Since it opened to the public in November 1984, more than 6.2 million people from all over the world have visited this world-class Flight and Technology Center. Serving as a window to the past and vision of the future, the museum is also the home of the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame, the Georgia Youth Science and Technology Center, the STARBASE ROBINS Education Program and the MissionQuest Flight Simulation Center. Admission is free and the museum is open 7 days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visitation in FY2001 was 729,000 people.

More than 510,000 children have received an education program since 1985. Several intern, vocational training and mentoring programs are also operated in partnership with technical institutions, area colleges, universities, and school systems. Each year, a Young Astronaut’s Day is held for approximately 400 students.

The original museum building, renamed the Heritage Building, features an exhibit on 10,000 years of Native American Indian culture. It includes archeological artifacts discovered on Robins Air Force Base and dioramas on the culture and experiences of the Muscogee (Creek) Indians up until 1837 A.D. The Windows to a Distant Past exhibit has been described as “the most unique Native American exhibit in the State of Georgia.”

Hangar One houses approximately 20 aircraft, several engines and includes a 5,000 square-foot exhibit on the contributions of Black Americans in aviation: “America’s Black Eagles--The Tuskegee Pioneers…and Beyond.” It is the largest Tuskegee Airmen exhibit in the United States.

The 62,000 square-foot Eagle Building opened on July 3, 1992. The 3-story $2.5 million facility includes the Vistascope Theater, an aviation research and archives center, art gallery and exhibits such as the P-47 Thunderbolt, the 14th Air Force Flying Tigers, the Hump Pilots of the China-Burma-India Theater, the Korean War, 483rd Bomb Group, the 50th Anniversary of World War II, the contributions of Robins Air Force Base and much more.

The 66,000 square-foot “Century of Flight” Hangar opened in October 1996. Inside are several museum aircraft including the SR-71, B-29, B-25 and U-2. The free-admission “We The People” Theater and Exhibit Hall located inside the hangar provides a lesson on the U.S. Constitution and displays the memorabilia of Senator Sam Nunn and six other distinguished Congressional and national leaders from Georgia.

During the Base Realignment and Closure Committee visit in 1995, the Museum served as a community "welcome" and rally point. Despite bad weather, more than 3,000 turned out to show their support for Robins Air Force Base. With the Museum’s help, the base was not selected for closure and later that year received the Commander’s Installation Excellence Award as the best Air Force Base in the world.

The museum is the official home of the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame created by the Georgia Legislature in April 1989. Artifacts and photos recount the achievements of more than 50 visionary men and women who have made outstanding contributions to aviation in Georgia.

More than 90 volunteers help staff and manage the museum programs. Since 1983, they have contributed more than 720,000 hours as tour guides, gift shop workers, docents and archivists -- labor valued at more than $2.8 million dollars.

The Century of Flight Hangar is the center for three education programs: MissionQuest, a new program started in September 1999, which gives students an interactive flight experience on state-of-the-art simulators; STARBASE ROBINS, an aerospace science and goal-setting 25-hour curriculum for 5th grade classes; and the Georgia Youth Science and Technology Center which provides classes for students and teachers in seven Middle Georgia school districts.

The museum features a P-40 “Warhawk” aircraft like the one flown by Brigadier General Robert L. Scott, Jr. in China during World War II. It is displayed in America’s premier exhibit on General Claire Chennault, 14th Air Force and the Flying Tigers. General Scott is a fighter pilot “ace” with 13 aerial victories to his credit and an amazing 33,000 flying hours in his career. At age 72 he walked the Great Wall of China (2,000 miles!); at 76 flew an F-16; at 80, 81, 82 and 85 flew an F-15 fighter; and in 1997 flew a B-1B bomber. At age 93, he serves as the National Chairman of the Museum of Aviation Foundation, and is active on a daily basis speaking out in behalf of the Museum.

Museum awards include the Georgia Governor’s Award in the Humanities, the Regional/National Civil Air Patrol Frank Brewer Award for aerospace education; and an Air Force Association Special Citation for excellence in education programs.

The Museum of Aviation Foundation, chartered under the State of Georgia as a nonprofit organization in 1983, has raised over $23 million from individuals, businesses, civic organizations and other sources to help build and operate the Museum. It operates the Museum Aviation Gift Shop and Victory Café, which are open 7 days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Each fall the Foundation sponsors the Georgia Invitational Golf Tournament with Former Senator Sam Nunn as the Honorary Chairman. In the spring we honor our local hero with the "Brigadier General Robert L. Scott, Jr. Annual Birthday Golf Tournament". The 1990-2002 annual tournaments have raised a total of more than $2.7 million to help the Museum’s development and education programs.

Other fund-raisers for the Museum include the Auction, Wings and Wheels Car Show and the Marathon, Half Marathon and 5k presented by the Robins Pacers Running Club. All events are held annually.