All About the National Naval Aviation Museum

Adults and children alike benefit from exploring, questioning, and learning daily. Whether you’re a child or just young at heart, the immersive experience you gain from visiting a museum and learning first-hand about the artifacts and exhibits is irreplaceable. There are many museums to visit in the Pensacola area that provide a unique learning opportunity, but the National Naval Aviation Museum is one you can’t miss. Read on to learn a brief history of the museum and what to expect when you visit.

History of the Museum

“National Naval Aviation Museum” by Eric Friedebach is licensed with CC BY 2.0

The museum, formerly known as the National Museum of Naval Aviation, is dedicated to preserving and displaying the history of naval aviation. Although named for naval aviation, the contents of the museum include artifacts from and information about the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps, and the United States Coast Guard. It’s the world’s largest naval aviation museum and one of the most visited museums in Florida.

The museum houses over 150 carefully restored aircraft and over 4,000 artifacts. You can find these unique and historic pieces thoughtfully displayed on the inside of the museum’s 350,000-square foot exhibit area and outside on 37 acres of land. Within the museum also sits the Emil Buehler Naval Aviation Library. Established in 1992 with funds from the Emil Beuhler Trust, the library keeps artifacts and special collections of items from people and events important to the history of American aviation. As one of Pensacola’s own trainees, former astronaut Buzz Aldrin’s flight training records from the start of his Naval career remain safe in the library.

Permanent Exhibits

Instilling a love for learning in visitors and preserving the storied history of military American aviation, the National Naval Aviation Museum meticulously cares for and plans several exhibits that sit permanently within the walls. Greeting visitors upon entry is the Spirit of Naval Aviation Monument, which features five naval pilots from different time periods gathered together attentively listening to a World War II aviator recount an air combat story. Sitting on the museum quarterdeck, named for the section on a ship where planes depart and arrive, the monument represents the commencement of a voyage through the history of naval aviation.

Be sure to see the museum’s A-1 Triad, one of two replicas of the Navy’s first airplane. The name, Triad, represents the plane’s ability to operate on water using a floatation device, on land using wheels, and in the air. The A-1 is the aircraft flown by the Navy’s first aviator, Lieutenant Theodore G. Ellyson. Spend some time observing Naval Aviation in the Great War. The exhibit is a diorama depicting various scenes during World War I. To see an early example of a divebomber, stop to look at the BFC-2 Goshawk.

Virtual Flight Deck Operations

Visitors to the museum can also spend some time with the Virtual Flight Deck Operations exhibit. This interactive and immersive display places visitors inside a C-2 Greyhound aircraft, provides a briefing on flight deck operations, and conducts a simulated flight to the carrier USS John C. Stennis. Participating visitors experience the sights, sounds, and sensations of standing on a deck, with footage shot specifically for museum usage. Added touches, like wind blowing, the smell of jet fuel, and clear rumbling, add to the overall experience.

Giant Screen Theater

The Giant Screen Theater is an enormous visual sensation that provides an exciting, entertaining, and unforgettable viewing experience. In use since November 1996, the larger-than-life screen delivers audience members images of immense size, clarity, and clear color. Guests can opt to participate in the Polar Express Pajama Party hosted every Saturday and Sunday at 2:20 p.m., see “The Magic of Flight,” a 40-minute feature that runs twice daily during museum hours, watch “Apollo II: First Steps Edition,” which also screens twice daily, or view “Aircraft Carrier,” a 25-minute feature which runs three times daily.

Tickets for the theater are sold separately. Prices for adult general admission begin at $9.25, with discounted prices available for senior citizens, military, and museum members. Children ages 5-17 can experience the massive theater screen for $7.25, while those 4 and under get in free. Lights, colors, and sound are enhanced so be prepared.

Apollo 11 Virtual Reality

Aspiring astronauts will rejoice at the opportunity to relive the Apollo 11 moon landing. Using a virtual reality headset, guests can climb aboard the Apollo 11 spacecraft, and experience the launch as though there. The enriching experience will have your seat shaking as you feel yourself tumbling into space. As the astronauts did, participants will see the Earth shrink as they journey into space. Then the moon will grow and brighten as you approach. Participating guests will feel heat emanating, vibrations shaking the ground and seat, and sudden movements as the craft reenters the Earth’s atmosphere.

This five-minute experience is $10 per participant and limited to only 12 individuals at a time. Riders must be at least 5 years old or 38 inches tall to experience the Apollo 11 Virtual Reality simulator.

Important Visit Information

The National Naval Aviation Museum, at 1750 Radford Blvd., is open Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Because the museum is onboard NAS Pensacola, access to the air station, and consequently the museum, is currently limited to Department of Defense ID holders. Under the Trusted Traveler Program, each individual holding a current DoD identification card can escort up to 15 guests through the museum. All adults must carry with them a valid form of ID. For additional questions, call the Visitor Control Center at 850-452-4153.

So there you have it. Allen Turner Hyundai has enjoyed sharing key information and facts about the National Naval Aviation Museum. What do you think of our information? Did we miss your favorite thing about the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola? If we did, let us know! Leave a message and we’ll be happy to learn about your suggestions of things to do when visiting this educational and fun location.