Grand opening set for relocated Lone Star Flight Museum

The museum, until now quartered in Galveston, Texas, on Sept. 2 will open the doors of its new $38 million, 130,000-square-foot Houston facility dedicated to preserving aviation history and advancing science, technology, engineering, and math education, the nonprofit organization said in an announcement.

The museum’s flyable aircraft collection is housed in two 30,000-square-foot hangars and features more than 20 beautifully restored, historic aircraft including a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, North American B-25 Mitchell, Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, Chance Vought F4U Corsair, Douglas SBD Dauntless, and Douglas DC-3.

“The Lone Star Flight Museum will combine a comprehensive education program with an immersive aviation experience,” it said, adding that “all classes are aligned with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards.”

The facility’s $1 million Aviation Learning Center is designed to immerse visitors from grades five through 12 “in the energy and excitement of flight through a hands-on learning experience,” while giving a taste of aviation training, including preflighting a Mooney single-engine aircraft and piloting a simulated flight.

The Lone Star Flight Museum describes itself as an ideal destination for school field trips, with the ability to customize itineraries for students in grades kindergarten through 12. Students can participate in 26 hands-on interactive experiences as part of their school field trip. The Flight Academy introduces visitors to the foundations of flight and aircraft design with hands-on exhibits including three replica cockpits, two hang glider simulators, and a theater featuring a film about the principles and history of flight development.

The Texas Aviation Heritage Gallery is “a chronological walk through the history of aviation in Texas,” using rich graphic panels and touch-screen interactive technology.

The museum includes the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame, established in 1995 at the Museum’s Galveston location, to honor the men and women who have shaped aviation.

The next inductees of the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame will be honored during the Lone Star Flight Museum’s annual gala May 5, 2018, and will join 71 past inductees including trailblazers such as Bessie Coleman, leaders such as President George H. W. Bush, combat ace pilot Tex Hill, and entrepreneurs such as Howard Hughes and Southwest Airlines co-founder Herb Kelleher.

The museum will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and will be closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. For information on ticket pricing and membership information, visit the Lone Star Flight Museum’s website.