Courtesy Pensacola CVB
Pensacola
Groups heading to Pensacola won’t want to miss the National Naval Aviation Museum at the Naval Air Station Pensacola. It ranks as one of the world’s largest air and space museums, with more than 100 fully restored, vintage aircraft on display. Visitors can see notable aircraft such as the first plane that landed on the South Pole and the first airplane to cross the Atlantic Ocean.
“We consider Pensacola the cradle of aviation because every Navy, Marine and Coast Guard pilot starts their training at the Naval Air Station,” said Valeria Lento Palmertree, director of communications at the Pensacola Bay Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The museum gives people of all ages a new appreciation for our military and a hands-on experience because everything is accessible — there’s nothing behind glass.”
Adrenaline junkies will want to take in a film or two, shown on one of the world’s largest Imax theater screens and Florida’s biggest screen. “The Magic of Flight” depicts a mach-speed flight in the cockpit of a Blue Angels fighter jet. In the Blue Angels Atrium, F/A-18s float above the crowd and give the illusion of flying.
For a nominal fee, two state-of-the-art flight simulators at the museum give visitors extra thrills. The high-definition, 3-D flight simulator re-creates the experience of air-to-air combat and stunt flying. The simulator uses patented, interactive 360-degree pitch and roll technology.
Another option, the high-defination, motion-based simulator, is a fully enclosed simulator capsule that moves in six directions, allowing riders to experience horizontal rolls, longitudinal pitches and vertical climbs. It accommodates up to 15 passengers. The simulator’s two rides offer very different experiences. The Blue Angel simulation gives riders the experience of flying in a Navy F/A-18 Hornet on a low-level mission and includes high-performance turns and maneuvers. Aviation enthusiasts can opt for the Desert Storm simulation that takes off from an aircraft carrier and engages in battle in the Iraqi desert.
The Pensacola Bay area is home to the renowned Blue Angels, officially known as the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron. However, through November, their practice shows have been grounded due to the government sequestration.
“Every Wednesday in the museum’s Blue Angels Atrium, they make appearances to meet visitors, take photos with fans and give autographs,” said Palmertree. “This is the only place to see the Blues this year, and we’re hoping they’ll be back on schedule next year.”
