WINDSOR LOCKS, CONN. – The New England Air Museum will hold family fun activities April 14-18 for spring break. The museum’s Flight Sim Spot will be open each of these days between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. The Flight Sim Spot allows visitors to use state-of-the-art simulators with real cockpit controls.
Other programs include:
Monday, April 14, Aero Modeling Workshop: This program runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m and is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Children ages 8-14 can build and fly their own models. All children must be accompanied by an adult. There is a $5 cost for the kit.
Tuesday, April 15, Glider Engineering Design Challenge: Build a glider out of recyclable materials provided and fly a raw egg the longest distance possible.
Wednesday, April 16, Parachute Drop: Design a parachute that will take the longest to reach the ground with a given weight.
Thursday, April 17, Open Cockpit: The museum will host an Open Cockpit program with up to eight aircraft to be open, including helicopters, an airliner, a jet fighter and a World War II aircraft.
Friday, April 18, LEGO Contest & Easter Bunny Visit: Build a vehicle out of LEGOS that can race down a ramp. The program is for ages 3-12 and prizes will be awarded for each age category: 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Visit with the Easter Bunny, pose for pictures and receive a small gift. Cameras are encouraged.
Activities are included with the price of admission on the day of your visit except where noted. Each day docents will be on hand to provide information and to interact with the visitors.
The Museum will be open from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission is $12 for ages 12 and up, $11 for seniors 65 and up and $6.50 for ages 4 to 11. Children under 3 are admitted free.
For more information: NEAM.org or call 860-623-3305.
The New England Air Museum is the largest aviation museum in New England and is a private, non-profit educational institution that was organized in 1959. Three hangars and an outdoor display contain more than 80 aircraft with permanent exhibits that include the oldest surviving aircraft in the U.S. – the 1870 Silas M. Brooks Balloon Basket, as well as an S-39 Amphibian plane – the first aircraft built in Connecticut by aviation pioneer Igor Sikorsky. Featured year-round are many historical aircraft and exhibits including a focus on World War II’s Tuskegee Airmen, and a display about Amelia Earhart alongside a Lockheed Model 10 Electra – the same type of plane flown by the female aviator. The museum is located on the North end of the Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Conn.