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Air Zoo letting museum-goers jump in the cockpit

Air Zoo has been in aviation news often throughout the past year and is already making headlines in 2013. During the month of February, Air Zoo is giving visitors a chance to see a different side of aviation. While most museums are synonymous with allowing visitors to look but not to touch, Air Zoo is turning that rule upside down and allowing them to ride in the cockpits of their planes.

Those heading to the museum next month will have a chance to climb aboard the Texan, Kaydet and Wildcat. The experience is included in the price of admission to the museum, which is $10. Air Zoo officials said that each weekend, a different one of the above planes will be available to fly in.

“The Air Zoo's open cockpit program has always been one of our visitors' favorite experiences,” said Bob Ellis, Air Zoo president and CEO. “It gives guests the rare opportunity to experience our country's most historic aircraft from the pilot's viewpoint.”

Those looking to get into the cockpit of the North American AT-6 Texan will have to visit the museum on February 1 between 4 and 8 p.m. The Texan was used in World War II as an advanced trainer for most American pilots. The plane was not as fast as a fighter, but did allow pilots to practice flight tactics like ground strafing and aerial dogfighting, as it is a very maneuverable plane. North American originally built 15,000 Texans, but now only 2,000 remain.

Event-goers who want a chance at getting in the cockpit of the Boeing-Stearman N2S-5 Kaydet will have to attend Air Zoo between February 11-15. The Kaydet was used as a primary trainer during WWII, primarily for its ruggedness and easy ability to maintain. It was considered one of the ideal planes for teaching flying maneuvers, aerobatics and takeoffs, as  it was the last mass-produced biplane ordered by the U.S. military.

Finally, those looking to get behind the controls of the Grumman FM-2 Wildcat will have two opportunities from February 18-22 and 25-28. The Grumman was a Navy Fighter used during the first year-and-a-half of WWII. The plane was used in combat, as it featured rugged construction and armament, along with solid speed and maneuverability.

Air Zoo also added a 1928 Curtiss Robin to its fleet of aircraft last year. Although it is not one of the planes museum-goers will be getting in the cockpit of, they will learn about its use as a mail plane, passenger carrier and air ambulance during the late 1920s and early 1930s.

Pilots looking to head to Air Zoo next month are reminded to look into pilot life insurance.

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