Aerospace Museum of California

The concept for this mural was inspired by Chauncey Spencer II’s traveling museum; African Americans in Aviation, which was on exhibit at the Aerospace Museum of California in 2021. Our museum’s President & CEO, Tom Jones, who also leads curatorial efforts, was fascinated to learn about the many pioneering black aviators and other historical figures who were not recognized in many history books.

View the world’s largest rigid wing kite on display only at the museum! The Makani M600 energy kite is the last one in existence. Learn the fascinating story of the Makani kite today.

Aerospace Museum of California has over 20 standard exhibits and over 40 aircraft. Learn something new everytime you visit!

Scooter, our Blue Angel A-4C “Skyhawk’ is a true piece of history. The A-4C was flown the in US Navy Blue Angels Demonstration from 1974 to 1986. Come see this historic treasure to learn more.

From the earliest piston engines to rocket engines, the Aerospace Museum of California is one of the few museums that allows you to get up close and personal with our engine artifacts. Touch and interact with these magnificent pieces of aviation and aerospace history.

Come visit and walk through our large airpark of over 40 aircraft. Get up close and personal and even walk below suspended aircraft!

Pilot an aircraft using a professional flight simulator under the instruction of experienced flight instructors. You will have the opportunity to practice taking off, flying, and landing.

A Small Step. . . A Giant Leap
What began in tragedy would culminate in triumph as America raced to put a man on the Moon in the midst of the Cold War.

At the time of its introduction, the Titan IV was the “largest unmanned space booster used by the Air Force.” The Titan IV Stage One Liquid Rocket Engine was developed to provide assured capability to launch Space Shuttle–class payloads for the Air Force.

The X-15 Program and Major Mike Adams
The story of Sacramento’s very own astronaut and the single-man rocket that would pave the way for the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo Programs.

Director of the Apollo Program
A legend who would go on to command the Space and Missile Systems Organization, Air Force Systems Command, the Minutemen Program and the NSA, but not before overseeing the landing of men on the Moon.

The X-15 Program and Major Mike Adams
The story of Sacramento’s very own astronaut and the single-man rocket that would pave the way for the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo Programs.

Turn the corner and find yourself on the distant Red Planet! Our Mars Theater features an intimate amphitheater-style seating area, a large viewing screen and an interior crafted to resemble the inside of a Mars Habitat Pod, complete with storage and control panels. Currently showing is the video presentation: Manned Mission to Mars 2034, a futuristic look at what the first manned mission to the planet might look like. The exterior of the Theatre features three screens playing space-age footage and a comprehensive timeline of modern-day space travel.

Get to know heros Colonel George “Spanky” Roberts, LTC John Whitehead and Cpt. Alvin Johnson through the eyes and artifacts donated by McClellan Air Force Base’s own Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. Chapter.

Gain a new appreciation for the branch of our military known for its daring aerial rescues, often flown in severe weather conditions.

Get a sense of the pilot’s perspective by viewing our North American T-28D Trojan Cockpit Procedures Trainer, our F-106 Cockpit Trainer and the F-111 Crew Capsule.

A close cousin to today’s helicopter, these anti-submarine warfare torpedo drones have a long history of service and innovation.

Taking center stage in the Exhibit Hall is a stunning representation of military aircraft, a North American F-86 Sabre, that was flown during the Korean War.