The Air Zoo, formerly known as the Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum was founded in 1977 to preserve the history of aviation for future generations. Known as the number one aviation museum in the world, it is a great environment for flight training students to learn about the legacy of flight and more.

Aircraft

Inside the almost 200,000 square-foot facility, The Air Zoo’s aircraft collection has no rival. The Air Zoo prides itself in housing the “Giants of history, performance, accomplishment, and reputation.” Some of these giants include a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, an FA-18A Hornet, an F-14 Tomcat (the star of Top Gun), and an SR-71 Blackbird spy plane.





The Air Zoo's Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless. Fully restored after spending nearly 50 years under water.






Artwork

The Air Zoo has a Murals and Art facility that is home to some of the greatest original paintings, prints, and sculptures. Some works were created by major artists such as Kirk Newman, Jean Flower, Alan D’Estrehan, and many more.

The Air Zoo features the Guinness World Record’s largest hand-painted indoor mural called the “Century of Flight.” Created by renowned flight artist Rick Herter and his assistant Tony Hendrick, the mural reaches an astonishing 28,800 square feet and took longer than 14 months to complete. It was painted with 400 gallons of oil paint.

Exhibits

In addition to the phenomenal aircraft and artwork, the Air Zoo is also home to several educational exhibits.

The National Guadalcanal Memorial Museum is a nationally-recognized memorial commemorating the Guadalcanal campaign of World War II. The campaign was known as one of the longest and bloodiest campaigns of the whole war. The memorial features a large collection of artifacts, dioramas, narratives, and the Wall of Honor spotlighting 20 men who earned the Medal of Honor for their sacrifices on the island.

The newest exhibit is the first of its kind in the Midwest. The Fly Girls of World War II, showcases the inspirational history of Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP). It features original uniforms, a history mural, photo collages, a timeline, and a mosaic that includes each of the 1,102 WASP.

Student Pilots

If you are interested in becoming a pilot, visiting the Air Zoo is an exceptional experience that will only enhance your flight training and education. It may even give you a new appreciation for the legacy of aviation.

Explore the Air Zoo website to plan your visit.