"Come take a stroll through the lives of thousands!!"

The North Carolina Aviation Museum and Hall of Fame is well into its second decade as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history, as well as honoring the heritage of  the wonderfully wide, wide world of flight AND BEYOND!

UPDATE (July 15, 2011) - The inaugural "Young Eagles Day," a fund-raiser sponsored by the North Carolina Aviation Museum and Hall of Fame, is set for a 10 a.m. takeoff Sept. 10 at the Asheboro Regional Airport. The event will feature free rides in small aircraft for children between 8-17 years old.

Several Experimental Aircraft Association aircraft will be on hand that day to handle dozens of flight requests. Signed permission by the child's parent/legal guardian will be required before the flight. Each child will receive a "Flight Certificate" after landing. The event will come in for a landing at 3 p.m.

The NCAM will also be offering reduced rates at the museum that day - $5 for everyone. Children, five and younger, will get in free. A HAM Radio demo is also scheduled for the event. A limited number of food vendors will be on site as well. The museum is located at 2222-G Pilot's View Rd, adjacent to the airport. For more information, call 336-625-0170.

The museum is also involved with on-site restoration (currently a Rutan VariEze, Link Trainer and "Willys" Jeep) and the promotion of aviation awareness through a variety of tours and events designed for those from 7 to 97. We offer both guided and non-guided tours to a variety of groups each year. School classes, Cub Scouts, and senior center and church groups are just a few of those who toured our facility in 2010.

UPDATE (July 4, 2011) - A Scottish Aviation "Bulldog" arrived at about 7 p.m. July 3. It will be on long-term display in Hangar 1. More details will be released as the become available.

Supported by nearly a 99-percent volunteer force since its inception, the NCAM features a unique Piper Cub (the "Flitfire" pictured above), as well as many other historical, experimental and even unmanned aircraft.

We also have a classic Piper J-3 "Cub" flown by International Council of Airshows Hall of Fame Member Charlie Kulp (aka"Silas the Flying Farmer") for 40-plus years at airshows nationwide. Charlie was inducted into the ICA Hall of Fame on Dec. 9, 2009.

Following FAA approval for him to perform one last "final show," on July 18, 2010, Kulp removed his plane from the NCAM in June. And, at the age of 85, performed one more time at his home away from home, "The Flying Circus Aerodrome and Airshow," located just south of Warrenton, Va. Kulp plans to return his plane to the museum in late-2011.

In addition, we feature two hangars full of military vehicles, weapons, equipment and uniforms, with more being displayed nearly every month! Artifacts available for viewing include items from World War I, World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars - even the Cold War.

UPDATE (July 25, 2011) - North Carolina Aviation Museum officials recently announced that a “USO Dance” will kick up its heels Sept. 17 in Hangar 2 of the facility, located adjacent to the Asheboro Regional Airport.

Price for the dance, which is slated for 7-10 p.m., is $15 singles and $25 for couples.

“The group responsible for the swings and sways that night is definitely up to the task,” said Volunteer Board Chairman Bob Coyle. “We are very fortunate to again feature the highly talented members of local super group — The Randolph Jazz Band.”

On-hand before the dance will be area resident Shelly LaCoss, owner of Shelly’s School of Dance. She will be giving free swing dance lessons from 7-7:30 p.m.. Additionally, for those who wish a broader brush up on their fancy footwork before the event, LaCoss is currently offering complete swing dance classes at her school. Interested individuals may call 336-498-4758 for more information.

A "Period Costume Contest" and light food and drinks will be featured during the evening. Minimum age to attend is 16. RSVPs and advanced payments are appreciated. Everyone planning to attend should call 336-625-0170 and have their name added to the reservation list in order to allow for proper seating arrangements.
Additional drawings/raffles/contests will be conducted during the evening. The “Bob Moon Museum Store” will also be open with EVERYTHING 10-percent off.

“Wonderful weather and a well-attended, safe event would be just what the doctor ordered,” says Coyle. “The band is set and volunteers nearly ready; however, Mother Nature is the one variable we just can’t control. We just hope she is in an agreeable mood that night.”

The volunteer-supported, non-profit organization is located at 2222-G Pilot’s View Rd., adjacent to the Asheboro Regional Airport. It features 20,000 square-feet of military and civilian aircraft, walls of multi-service memorabilia, aviation artwork, miles of model aircraft from 10 centimeters to 10 feet in wingspan and much more.

For additional information, call 336-625-0170 or check out the website at www.ncairmuseum.org.

A sharp 1962 Beechcraft H-18 arrived at noon April 10 courtesy of Climax resident Chris Price. It should be here for several months according to Price, a pilot who loves to buy, restore and sell aircraft. The co-pilot/crew chief for the "Super 18" is Patrick McMillan. THANKS A MILLION CHRIS, from the entire "NCAM Family!"

A Cessna 172 fuselage recently arrived and June 1 was officially open for business as a photo backdrop for children of all ages. Donated by Scott Anglin, the president of Anglin Aircraft Recovery Services, via Volunteer Board Chairman Bob Coyle, the "Skyhawk" will assume the role as Spot #1 in the curator's "Picture Perfect" program (started in July 2008).

Children (up to four) can actually board the Cessna and operate some of the controls as family members capture a life-long memory. Although most are currently unmarked, the curator has set up 16 locations designed specifically for photo opportunities throughout the museum. (See if you can find them!!!)

Other major exhibits include three tons of Mk-14 Torpedo Display, honoring the 3,500+  American souls (aboard 52 subs), lost on duty during WWII; a Memorial Submarine Display (honoring the four naval vehicles named after North Carolina down through history), both courtesy of the North Carolina Sub Vets, and a ready-for-action Army convoy. REMEMBER, museum aircraft and displays change on a regular basis, so be sure and stop in TODAY to see what is currently on exhibit!!

"So, any tips on more new arrivals coming in 2011?!," you ask. We are contacted many times each year about potential new aircraft/vehicles coming to the museum. Currently (as of 7/1/11) our "List of Hopefuls" includes, but is not limited to the following: Navy N3N, Pilatus P-3 (Red/White/Blue paint scheme), Oldfield Super Baby Lakes, Parker "Teenie Two," "Willys" Jeep (near-mint), Wright Flyer Model (full-sized) and a Bell UH-1 "Huey" Helicopter.

Unfortunately, in many instances before an item can be placed in the NCAM it is sold, or perhaps the owner moves out of state/has new commitments arise. Limited space, poor timing/weather, too costly and transportation problems could also prevent us from obtaining a new item. So, KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED FOR US!!!

Upon your arrival to the NCAM, you will pass through the front gate into our fully fenced-in parking area adjacent to the airport. You can't miss the huge USAF insignia carved into the landscaping out front. Beautifully renewed in late 2008 by Southwest Randolph High School Senior Steve Younts. (Thanks Steve, from the NCAM Family. JOB VERY WELL DONE INDEED!)

Coming up our "Friends of the Museum Walkway," you will notice inscriptions on many of the bricks. These are memorials, donated by family members or loved ones, in honor of those who have served us all. Just ask a staff member for details.

Inside the front door, you'll find yourself in the middle of the "Bob Moon Museum Store," home to one of the largest collections of aircraft models in the southeast. There are about 100 other models (from 10 centimeters to 10 feet in wingspan) located throughout the NCAM as well!!

After picking out a few items to buy on the way out, you'll enter "Hangar 1" and come face-to-face with the "Flitfire" that once carried Orville Wright. Normally, we also have at least a dozen other aircraft on display. Lining the walls is a huge collection of authentic military uniforms, equipment, weapons, as well as a myriad of memorabilia dating back as far as the late 1800s. We also have a 1/5-scale of the 1903 Wright Flyer, expertly built and generously donated to the museum by area resident Mark Glazer.

But, that's not all - check out our "Curator's Corner," a section which allows patrons to browse (but please don't touch) many of the museum's newest arrivals. Most are fresh out of the box and on initial display until a permanent home is created for them. A big thanks here goes to Asheboro High School Senior Devon Goy for his outstanding efforts assisting with the set up of this and several other displays throughout the facility.

You can also lose yourself in the dozens of period newspapers on display, sit down and relax to a good book or check out a featured video in one of our research/viewing areas.

UPDATE (July 2011) - A flight simulator program is currently getting the rough edges smoothed out and should be up and running by late-2011. It will allow adults and children (who meet age restrictions) to try and complete the final minute of an approach/landing at the Asheboro Regional Airport.

Next up is "Hangar 2," where your journey through our aviation archives continues. There you will find everything from "Bird Dog" to a Pilatus P-3." We even have a couple of Link Trainers!! Don't know what they are? Come by and find out!! We'll be glad to tell you about them or anything else you see on exhibit - and don't forget MORE MODELS and beautiful artwork in Hangar 2 as well!!

When you're finished, circle around and head back out the way you came in. Don't forget to stop back at the "Bob Moon Museum Store" and purchase those items you picked out on the way in!