Open Cockpit Saturday February 13th featuring Historic Balloonist Silas Brooks

Get up close and personal as you climb aboard selected aircraft from our incredible collection. From helicopters to jets this is your chance to take the stick, check the instruments and create your imagination-powered adventure. Open aircraft include the Vietnam War era “Huey” helicopter; the North American F-100 Super Sabre jet fighter; the Coast Guard HH-52 rescue helicopter; the Lockheed F-104C Starfighter, and many more.

Visitors can also meet a re-enactor portraying Professor Silas Brooks from 11am-3pm, Connecticut’s most famous aeronaut who first flew over Hartford in a giant hot air balloon in 1854. Brooks became nationally known and made over 180 balloon flights before retiring from the skies in 1894, nine years before the Wright Brothers first flight. Brook’s 1854 balloon basket is on display at the museum, and is the nation’s oldest aviation artifact. Visitors can also experience our spectral imaging mini-theater in which Brooks travels through time to observe a century of aviation innovation in Connecticut. From hot air ships to the space age, it’s all here at the New England Air Museum!

In addition, visitors can also participate in hands-on activities, take a flying lesson on the Flight Sim Spot high tech flight simulators, or fly the Ercoupe full-motion flight simulator built from a real aircraft. For the convenience of all, pizza and refreshments will be available for purchase. The event will be held inside the Museum’s three large, heated display hangars. Sneakers or rubber-soled shoes are recommended.

The Open Cockpit program runs from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM with the Museum and Gift Shop staying open until 5:00 PM. Admission is $12.50 for ages 12 and up, $11.50 for seniors 65 and up and $7.00 for ages 4 to 11. New England Air Museum members and children under 3 are admitted free. For more information, visit www.neam.org or call (860) 623-3305. The New England Air Museum is located in Windsor Locks, Conn. adjacent to Bradley International Airport. Take I-91 north or south to CT. exit 40 (Route 20) to Route 75 north.

For more information, visit www.neam.org or call (860) 623-3305