Exploring the Wild Blue Yonder

I don’t know much about planes. My knowledge of aviation history doesn’t extend beyond the fact that the Wright brothers made their first flight on December 17, 1903—a fact I remember only because December 17 happens to be my husband’s birthday. And the only aeronautics shows I have ever seen were performed by crop dusters making wide sweeps across the fields of our family farm.

It doesn’t take an expert to see that the variety and quality of Oklahoma’s aviation offerings are special.

Omniplex
A good first stop on Oklahoma’s unofficial aviation tour is the Omniplex Science Museum, a favorite destination to see all things scientific. From Oklahoma’s record-breaking pilot Wiley Post to our distinction as the only state with an astronaut in every manned space program, the Omniplex’s Oklahoma Aviation and Space Hall of Fame is sure to make your chest swell with pride. The museum also houses vintage aircraft and other memorabilia and the Mercury capsule simulator.

Stafford Air and Space Center
For anyone whose aspirations are more than sky-high, the Stafford Air and Space Center in Weatherford is worth a drive west. Named after astronaut and Weatherford native General Thomas P. Stafford, the museum’s collection includes actual space suits used in flight, moon rocks and other space artifacts, and a comprehensive history of rocketry. They also have more than 20 historic planes such as a MiG-21 Russian fighter plane, an F-16 fighter plane, and a replica of the Spirit of St. Louis.

Tulsa Air and Space Museum
If “look, don’t touch,” doesn’t go over very well in your household, the Tulsa Air and Space Museum and Planetarium has a number of exhibits that encourage children to get involved. Kids can step into a Viper F-16 for a test flight in a wind tunnel, create their own tornadoes in an exhibit about aviation and weather, or man the controls of a robotic arm inside an imaginary space station. Last year the museum made use of advanced technology to open their new planetarium. Unlike old, mechanical systems, the domed ceiling of the new theater is a moving, digital projection of the entire sky, giving visitors a front-row view of the universe.

Ninety-Nines Museum of Women Pilots
Ladies have not been left out of our aviation tour. The Ninety-Nines, Inc. is an international organization of more than 5,500 licensed female pilots from 35 countries. Oklahoma City’s Museum of Women Pilots displays a unique collection of papers, personal items, and historic artifacts of women pilots. This year marks the 75th anniversary of Amelia Earhart’s Atlantic crossing and the 70th anniversary of her disappearance. To commemorate this famous female pilot’s life, the Museum of Women Pilots has a new exhibit of some of Earhart’s personal treasures. She always carried her lucky bracelet and scarf on long-distance flights, but left them with her mother when she took her last flight around the world. Those items, and many more, are displayed at the museum.

On June 19 at 8am, women pilots from across the country will take off from Wiley Post Airport in Oklahoma City for an historic international competition known as the Air Race Classic, a speed race for women pilots.

Star Spangled Salute
Seeing so many aircraft sitting inside buildings may make you hanker for the real things. The Star Spangled Salute held June 9 and 10 at Tinker Air Force Base will provide your fix. The event is billed as one of Oklahoma’s largest two-day air shows because it features the collective efforts of Tinker Eastern Oklahoma County Tourism Council and Aerospace America, who previously held separate shows.

With their combined efforts, the organizations were able to book the holy grail of air show acts—the Navy Blue Angels Jet Team. Other acts include the War Bird planes, re-enactments of former wars such as the Tora Tora Tora bombing display, several civilian air demonstrations, the Tops in Blue Air Force variety act, and the US Army Golden Knights parachute team.

When you’re ready for a break from the action, enjoy ground displays, exhibits, and a children’s play zone. On Saturday night, visitors will also be treated to a fireworks display and a concert featuring country singer Mark Chesnutt. Organizers expect as many as 150,000 people to attend this official centennial event. And did I mention all this fun is free?

With premier exhibits and events like these right here in Oklahoma, I have no excuse to remain an aviation idiot.

Editor’s Note: Details on another aeronautical event, the Aerospace America International Air Show (June 15-17) may be found on our events calendar, beginning on page 54.

Stafford Air and Space Center
Jim Cobb Rd, Weatherford, 580-772-5871
Open Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm;
Sunday 1-5pm.
$5 for adults; 18 and under admitted free.

Star Spangled Salute
Tinker Air Force Base, Midwest City, 405-455-1808, www.AeroSpaceOKC.com
Saturday-Sunday, June 9-10; events begin at 9am daily. Free admission.

Ninety-Nines Museum of Women’s Pilots
4300 Amelia Earhart Road, OKC, 405-685-9990, www.MuseumOfWomensPilots.com
Monday-Friday 9am-4pm; Saturday 10am-4pm.
$5 age 10 and up; $3 4-10; free for 3 and under.

Tulsa Air and Space Museum
3624 North 74th East Avenue, 918-834-9900, www.TulsaAirAndSpaceMuseum.com
Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am–5pm; Sunday 1pm–5pm; closed Monday.
Admission to the museum plus one planetarium show: adults $10; seniors (62 & over) $8; students and military (ID required) $8; youth (5-12) $6;
age 4 and under free.

Omniplex Science Museum
2100 NE 52, OKC, 405-602-6664, www.Omniplex.org
Open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm;
Saturday 9am-6pm; Sunday 11am-6pm.
Prices for exhibits only are $9.50 for adults and $8.25 for seniors and children (admission to planetarium and OmniDome additional).

Chelsey Simpson is an editor who lives in Edmond with her husband and her miniature schnauzer, Ellie.