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Imaginations take flight at museum

The P-51 Mustang was developed during World War II when it was used by the U.S. Army Air Force. The P-51, a favorite of airplane racers, can reach speeds of up to 437 mph. The plane is one of many at the Chino Air Museum Planes of Fame. / photo by Reina Santa Cruz
The P-51 Mustang was developed during World War II when it was used by the U.S. Army Air Force. The P-51, a favorite of airplane racers, can reach speeds of up to 437 mph. The plane is one of many at the Chino Air Museum Planes of Fame. / photo by Reina Santa Cruz

by Alejandra Molina
Staff Writer

Ten-year-old Kyle Sullivan sat anxiously eating his lunch under an aircraft carrier at the Air Museum Planes of Fame, counting the minutes until it was finally his turn to learn to fly a plane.

“I’ve been on a glider before, so I’m not scared,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan, who, like the rest of his fellow troopers, was in the process of achieving his merit badge, is a member of the Boy Scouts from Laguna Niguel.

To earn their merit badge, the scouts had to attend three different seminars where they learned parts and mechanisms of the plane.

After the scouts finished their 45-minute seminars, they were then taught how to fly a plane.

“They tour the museum and take notes of what they think is interesting,” said Linda Sullivan, Kyle’s mother.

The Air Museum Planes of Fame dedicates itself to preserving aircraft and history as well as educating others by offering educational programs for the community.

“We do this every year,” said David Stege, assistant scout master. “It exposes boys to aviation history.”

The museum collects, preserves, restores and displays aviation artifacts to attract the public. So far, they have more than 140 aircraft and major exhibits

“I wasn’t expecting any of these planes,” said Jan Hill, assistant scout master. “It’s a piece of history; these planes are of different world wars.”

“I enjoyed the stations. I also enjoyed the planes that I saw,” Sullivan said.

This museum is a living history museum, meaning the planes are kept in flying condition.

While the scouts were having their lunch, a short plane demonstration took place.

The nonprofit museum was founded more than 45 years ago to preserve aviation history for future generations, according to a statement from the museum’s Web site.

It features displays spanning the history of aviation.

Open daily, the museum showcases various genres of flight on specific days.

Sullivan and other troop members attended the museum on a day set up for airpower at sea that focused on carrier-based fighter planes.

Alejandra Molina
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Reina Santa Cruz
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