In 1982, an aviation museum in Warner Robins was only a dream in the minds of a few ardent believers. Today, the dream is alive on 51 acres adjacent to Robins AFB where over 90 historic aircraft proudly rest as a tribute to the thousands of miles flown by American aircrews in defense of freedom. It's a place that beckons young and old visitors alike—over 7 million since opening in 1984—to learn about great aircraft, significant moments in history and the Georgians who blazed trails in the sky. What began in old refurbished storage huts in 1984 is now a world-class $10.3 million facility with more than 200,000 square feet of indoor exhibits in four buildings.

The main three-story building, which opened in 1992, is shaped like the Air Force "Star and Bars" insignia. A breathtaking circular rotunda greets visitors who immediately see an F-15 Eagle fighter beneath two World War II training planes suspended from the 40-foot high ceiling. Life-sized photomurals on the walls depict Robins AFB flight line hangars where fighters and transports are repaired and modified by base employees. In both wings, exhibits take you back in time—to an American "Flying Tigers" airfield in China in 1942 where a P-40 Warhawk readies for its next mission; to India where U.S. C-47 transports flew over "The Hump" (Himalayan Mountain peaks rising to 30,000 feet) in the 1940s to resupply American troops fighting for China; and to a Korean flight line revetment with an F-84 Thunderjet.

The Museum currently houses the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame where the feats and memorabilia of 60 famous Georgia pioneer aviators are displayed. Those enshrined include the first person to fly in Georgia, the first black American military pilot, Georgia's only WWI flying ace, pioneer women aviators like Jackie Cochran and Georgia's "Top Gun" Navy fighter pilot and astronaut, Sonny Carter and medal of honor recipients Capt. Hilliard A. Wilbanks and Col. Joe Jackson. A special exhibit salutes Macon's own WWII Ace, Brig. Gen. Robert L. Scott Jr., author of the 1943 bestseller "God is My Co-Pilot." The General reports daily to the Museum and can sometimes be seen greeting visitors with a cheerful wink and a story or two from his 70 years of flying. The Museum also acquires temporary exhibits throughout the year, with subjects ranging from pictorials of cockpits to engines to women in aviation. Check the Museum website for current exhibit displays.

Two Vistascope theater films, "To Fly" and "Flyers," are shown daily on a wrap-around 30-foot high screen. A unique gift shop with hundreds of aviation-related items is available. A restaurant is on the third floor where large observation windows look out on the many planes below. The Museum is a "living history" facility with numerous seminars, classes and activities for students, teachers and interns.

School classes arrive daily and model rocket classes are conducted to teach youngsters the basics of flight. A growing historical research archive and educational center is housed in the Museum. The Middle Georgia Youth Science and Technology Center was established to complement the Museum's existing educational programs in exciting Middle Georgia teachers and students about math, science and technology.

The 66,000 square-foot Century of Flight Hangar opened in late 1996 to protect some of the famous aircraft like the world speed record holder SR-71 Blackbird, the U-2 Dragon Lady and B-29 bomber. The hangar, housing the "We the People" exhibit, also houses an educational flight simulation center where student classes can experience Air Force non-combat missions like rescue, reconnaissance and humanitarian airlift. Other exhibits at the Museum include "Windows to A Distant Past" about Native American history, "America's Black Eagles" about famous black aviators, "14th Air Force and the Flying Tigers," and the Aviation Adventures Center where visitors can climb inside a C-130 cargo plane.

Located seven miles east of I-75 off Exit 146 at the intersection of Highway 247 and Russell Parkway, the Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission is always free. For more information call (478) 926-6870 or visit their Web site at http://www.museumofaviation.org.