Kalamazoo (KAZO)

The Kalamazoo Air Zoo is far different from most other aviation museums in the area, that have static displays and lengthy descriptions on plaques. The Air Zoo is intended to be much more interactive. This makes is a great destination for pilots with young ones tagging along. If you are a true history buff this might not be your first choice, but you may want to reconsider. The Air Zoo is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, has an onsite research library and hosts traveling exhibits. The Air Zoo houses the only SR-71B in existence (image 8). You can also see the recently restored XP-55 Curtiss Ascender (image 2), which bears an uncanny resemblance to Rutan’s Vari-Eze.

The museum is housed in two large buildings. You can taxi up to the first building that went through an extensive restoration June 9, 2007. Ask the ground controller for a progressive to the museum, which is located just South of the t-hangars. The first building houses a number of aircraft and the Michigan Space Science Center. The second building is a short walk away. If you visit on a nice day, your walk between the buildings may take you past a group flying Control-Line Model Aircraft. Control-Line models are flown using long wires strung between the plane and the pilot. The plane flies in a circle around the pilot (image 7). You can even sign up to give it a try yourself.

The second building is an experience unto itself. The exhibits are surrounded by the world’s largest indoor mural that raps around the full circumference of the large hangar. The mural changes based on the planes exhibited in that area. You are taken through time from quaint balloon rides, to WW I biplanes, to WW II fighters and bombers and finally to the deck of an aircraft carrier.

The Jet Fighter simulator should be on your to-do list. I opted for the “you-fly” option that allowed me to flip, roll and dive the full-motion simulator. Even with some acrobatic training, I was glad I did this before lunch at the museum café. If you aren’t as adventurous (or you just had lunch) ask for the “mild” ride. The inside scoop is that the balloon ride actually results in more “accidents.”

The museum is a good day trip because it isn’t that large. You can comfortably visit the museum in about 2-3 hours.