Browsing Tag: aircraft museum

A look down one of the "streets" in the outdoor portion of the PIMA Air & Space Museum

A look down one of the “streets” in the outdoor portion of the Pima Air & Space Museum

Tucson, Arizona is home to the University of Arizona and also Raytheon Missile systems.  Those two companies, along with the US Air Force, form the largest three employers in the city.  However, Tucson is also home to a unique AvGeek attraction, one that will astound any true aviation fan.

The Pima Air & Space Museum is located about a five-minute drive from Tucson airport and on the boundaries of Davis Montham Air Force Base.  The museum is the largest privately funded aviation museum in the world, yes’¦ the world.

The TAM Museum has quite the impressive collection. You can go into the TAM Fokker 100.

The TAM Museum has quite the impressive collection. You can go into the TAM Fokker 100.

When I was invited to check out the Museu TAM (aka the TAM Museum, Museu Asas de um Sonho, or the Wings of a Dream Museum), of course I was excited. I was expecting to check out a facility that told the history of TAM Airlines and was mostly focused only the airline. I was surprised to find out that there were parts of the museum that focused on TAM, but really there was also a broader look at Brazilian aviation and aviation in general.

You can see the TAM MRO behind the museum

You can see the TAM MRO behind the museum

If you are a fan of airlines, military aircraft, or old war birds, you will find something of interest. Of course, if you like all those different things, then this is the place for you. The best part — it is open to the public to check out!