Is your dad an aviation buff? Does he wonder what it would be like to sit at the controls of an A-6 Intruder Navy jet or walk into the flying boat that took Indiana Jones on his archeological adventure in “Raiders of the Lost Ark”?
Treat Dad to a day at the Oakland Aviation Museum from noon to 4 p.m. on Father’s Day June 15.
The museum will hold another in a series of “Open Cockpit Days” where guests can climb into the cockpit and sit behind the controls of some of the Bay Area’s most unique warbirds.
The museum is dedicated to the history of aviation in Oakland and surrounding communities. Navy jets, including the Intruder carrier bomber, the F-14 “Tomcat” fighter and the Douglas A-3 “Skywarrior,” are on display.
A ¾ size replica of a P-51 Mustang of the type flown by the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II is part of the collection, along with a Russian made MiG 15 jet fighter used during the Korean War.
Guests can also tour the vintage Short Solent flying boat, which was used as the backdrop for the adventure film “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and walk through displays dedicated to African-American pilots, the Eighth Air Force and aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, who left from Oakland for an around the world flight in 1937 never to return.
Volunteers will be on hand to help guests into the aircraft and a simulator designed to recreate flight training for Navy pilots during the 1970s will complete the experience.
“Open Cockpit Days are one of our best attended events,” said Ian Wright, the museum’s director of operations. “It’s a real family event and a great activity for Father’s Day.”
Food will be available for purchase and music will be provided by the “Friends of Ken Band.”
The museum is located at 8252 Earhart Road on the old North Field of Oakland International Airport. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors 55 years of age or older, $7 for teens and members of the military and $5 children six to 12 years old. Children under 5 are admitted free.
For more information: OaklandAviationMuseum.org
No Dad is not MOM IS !