Western North Carolina Air Museum
June 2019
A Gem for Airplane Enthusiasts
The Western North Carolina Air Museum is a gem for airplane enthusiasts, who love to talk to one of the knowledgeable and equally passionate volunteers, or for parents with children who want to sit in one of these planes and experience them closely.
Different to many of the large and well-known museums, where the planes are typically behind ropes, in the Western North Carolina Air Museum, you are allowed to touch these planes. You can even sit in some of them and get an impression of how flying was like not even 100 years ago.
The majority of these aircraft are still actively flown. Those aircraft that require restoration are worked on by the dedicated team right inside the hangar. Visitors can see the tedious work and meticulous craftsmanship involved that the folks at the museum provide to their aircraft.
You may want to try to visit the museum during an airshow when several of these planes are flown. You can see them start and land and circle the airfield. Don’t forget your camera for some unique pictures.
The Western North Carolina Air Museum in Hendersonville is a gem for airplane enthusiasts. Passionately dedicated to aircraft, the museum pays tribute to the region’s fascinating aviation history and aims to preserve this heritage and share it with its guests.
The 1915 Sopwith Baby was used by the Royal Naval Air Service in WWI. The model on display is a full-scale replica, which was donated to the museum in 2015.
The 1915 Nieuport 11 was one of the first real allied fighters of WWI and featured an 80hp LeRhone rotary engine that spins with the propeller - state of the art in the early 1900s but very unusual today.
Typically at the end of May or beginning of June, the museum hosts an annual air show, when several of the vintage planes are flown. If you are lucky, you can take to the skies in this beautiful Stearman bi-plane.
Standing close to the runway, you can watch these planes take-off and land.
1340 East Gilbert Street, Hendersonville NC, 28792
Tel.: → (828) 698-2482
November to March:
Wed., Sat., Sun.: 12pm to 5pm.
April to October:
Wed.: 12pm to 5pm.
Sat.: 10am to 5pm.
Sun.: 12pm to 5pm.
All year.
Museum:
Free admission.
Donations are welcome.
Free on-premise parking.
The Western North Carolina Air Museum is a wonderful destination for families.
Ideal for rainy or wintery days.
The museum is accessible by wheelchair.
Restrooms are available.