Over 35 Aircraft Outside!

Did you know McClellan Air Force Base used to be a fighter modification and repair facility? Come visit our extensive fighter collection and more!

Fighters are especially interesting because they embody the utmost example of speed, power, and “glamour” of an aircraft. They are naturally the best examples of the most advanced technology of their time.

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Our Top Aircraft Picks

F-80 Shooting Star

Tech milestone: America’s 1st operational jet fighter, and 1st capable of exceed 500 mph in level flight. The type was first flown in 1944; AMC’s F-80 was delivered to USAF in January 1948. Originally, an air superiority fighter; however in Korea it was an effective fighter-bomber.

F-86 Sabre

Swept wing MiG killer of Korean conflict which utilized captured German designs combined with advanced American research. The F-86 was the first US fighter capable of exceeding the speed of sound in a dive.

F-4C Phantom II

Twin engine, two place, long range, super sonic, all weather interceptor, fighter-bomber flown extensively in Vietnam. The F-4 was flown simultaneously by USAF, Navy, and Marines and flown by both Navy Blue Angels and USAF Thunderbirds flight demonstration teams during the same period.

F-100D Super Sabre

From the mid 1950s era, the F-100D Super Sabre was the first US fighter capable of super-sonic speed in level fight.

F-104B Star Fighter

Very advanced mid ‘50s aerodynamic design, mach 2+ air superiority interceptor. Top speed was limited by high air-friction skin temperatures, not lack of power or aerodynamic drag. AMC’s F-104B is one of only 26 built. It served many years at NASA’s Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB, and was flown by many famous test pilot/ astronauts performing Space Shuttle training, and high speed “chase” for the exotic research aircraft such as the X-15.

A-10 Thunderbolt II

Hard hitting Cold War attack plane that was used extensively in both Gulf Wars. Equipped with a furious 30mm Gau anti-tank cannon, the A-10 is the only US aircraft specifically designed to support ground troops in direct contact with the enemy. Our A-10 was heavily damaged in Gulf War I, and subsequently repaired at McClellan AFB’s combat repair center.

F-102 Delta Dagger

Super sonic delta wing interceptor that introduced “Area-rule,” coke bottle shaped fuselage design that greatly enhanced speed and duration. All subsequent designs incorporated this feature.

C-53D Sky Trooper

Military version of the famous Douglas DC-3 airliner. AMC’s C-53 is a true hero plane that flew resupply missions supporting combat operations in France following D-Day, June 6th, 1944 as well as trips to Bastogne and Arnhem in WWII.

F-101 Voodoo

First USAF fighter capable of 1000 mph in level flight.

LEARN TO FLY WITH PILOTS

Our Inspirational Instructors

A licensed pilot in three countries, Calvin has accrued 14,700 flying hours flying both commercially and for the United States Army as an Army Rotary Wing Aviator. Calvin is a Certified Flight Instructor on the Rotorcraft Helicopter and Instrument Airplane and Helicopter and has given over 6,900 hours of instruction to aspiring pilots. Memorable flying moments include flying on DEA Law Enforcement contracts, Helicopter Firefighting and flying the CH3E helicopter in the 1996 action/thriller The Rock, starring Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage.

Calvin Certified Flight Instructor

Jerry served 12 years of active duty as a Chief Pilot in the United States Air Force, including a 13 month combat mission in Vietnam, piloting the C-130 Hercules. He also served 11 years in the Ready Reserves at McClellan Air Force Base before retiring from the military as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1976. Commercially, Jerry flew for United Airlines, spent 2 and a half years as a Boeing 767/757 training instructor at the United Airlines Training Center in Denver, CO, and accrued over 13,000 flight hours as a Boeing 767, 757 and 737 Captain before retiring in 1994.

Jerry Former Chief Pilot & Commercial Pilot

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Superior with a degree in Math/Physics and a Second Lieutenant’s commission in the United States Air Force, Phil went on to a 27-year military career. He flew 215 combat missions over North and South Vietnam in EB-66 and B-52 aircraft, conducted over 1,000 high altitude reconnaissance missions for the U-2 and SR-71 “Spy Planes,” and contributed to the Source Selection Team for the Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) out of Edwards Air Force Base, CA. Phil holds the Aeronautical Rating of Master Navigator and has accrued a total of 6,362 hours of flight time. After retiring from the military, Phil worked as a consultant to NASA at Dryden Flight Research Center, developing SR-71 test scenarios for advanced scientific research programs.

Phil Former Combat Pilot & NASA Consultant

After graduating from the United States Air Force Flight School in 1955, Doug spent the next 26 years in military service, flying the T-6, B-25, and Piper Cub in addition to captaining Bombers, Tankers, Airlifts, and an Airborne Command Post. Commercially, Doug was a McDonnell Douglas Aircraft School Instructor on the MD-80 and DC-10 and an Airline Pilot on the BAE-146, B-737 and DC-10. In his free time, Doug is an Aviation Merit Badge Counselor for the BSA and has volunteered with the Aerospace Museum of California for the past 25 years.

Doug Former McDonnell Douglas Aircraft School Instructor

FLIGHT ZONE FAQs

How can I reserve my spot?

Contact our knowledgeable Guest Experience Staff to schedule a private session in the Flight Zone. The Flight Zone is currently open to the public upon availability

Will I receive one-on-one flight training?

Yes! Flight Zone guests will be personally trained by one of our knowledgeable Flight Zone Instructors. This one-on-one training allows each session to be uniquely tailored to each student’s needs and abilities. All of our instructors have a background in aviation, either private, commercial, or military and are eager to impart their wisdom and passion for aviation to the next generation.

How much experience do your instructors have?

All of our instructors have a background in aviation, either private, commercial, or military and are eager to impart their wisdom and passion for aviation to the next generation. Please read above for a more in-depth look at our instructors’ flight biographies!

Can I make a group reservation?

Yes, please contact our staff at tour@aerospaceca.org for more information.

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