WINGS OVER VIRGINIA AVIATION COLLECTION

The Museum's aviation gallery is temporarily closed for renovations. Please enjoy our Jupiter Rocket located outside the east end of the Museum.

In 2006, a severe storm blew off portions of the Museum’s roof, destroying the aviation gallery below and giving the Museum an opportunity to rebuild the gallery from the ground up. Your financial contribution is needed to complete the gallery and reopen this important resource. As described in the Museum’s Master Interpretive Plan, the gallery will include following components:

  • Technology and Principles of Flight: how birds and mechanical devices are able to fly; parts of an airplane; engine, wing and propeller technology.
  • Early Aviation: the dream of flight illustrated by a Native American legend; ballooning and its use during the Civil War.
  • Commercial Aviation: the growth and development of passenger air travel and air mail; aircraft models; flight attendant uniforms 1940s – 1980s.
  • Helicopters and Emergency Transport: helicopter technology; the story of Life-Guard, Virginia’s first air ambulance service and the impact of night vision technology on safe nighttime rescue operations.
  • Virginia’s Regional/ International Airports: the design, history, impact, and function of Virginia’s major airports, with a detailed look at Roanoke Regional Airport; airport lighting, air traffic control, and parts of an airport.
  • Roanoke’s Early Civilian Aviators: early aviators included barnstormers and daredevils whose flying exhibitions introduced flight to the public and increased demand; the early days of flight; the airport’s early development.
  • Roanoke’s Military Aviators: dramatic firsthand accounts of aviators from this region who helped shape the nation’s history serving in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and other conflicts.
  • Virginia’s Military Bases: the role Virginia’s bases have played in war and peace; aircraft carriers.
  • General Aviation: Most pilots fly in general aviation. Section features the walk-in fuselage of a private jet, passenger compartment and cockpit; the diversity of aviation careers; how to learn to fly.

Virginia Museum of Transportation also seeks donations of the following objects:

  • P&W R-985 or any large engine. Must be intact, with stand
  • Any Continental or Lycoming horizontally opposed engine. Must be intact, with stand
  • Propellers, both fixed pitch and constant speed
  • Navigation Lights (green, red, white)
  • Any Virginia related airline / aircraft paraphernalia
  • Any aircraft manufacturer paraphernalia Pilot / Flight Attendant uniforms – prefer Piedmont, Southern, Allegheny, US Air

Contact Don Moser, Deputy Director: 540-342-5670