In my personal and business travels over the years, I always search out any local museums that have any connection to aviation or space. Small or large, it doesn't matter, I can always learn something new about the history of aviation and space exploration. As part of this blog,  I'll periodically mention some of my favorite museums I've visited over the years, starting with the Pima Air and Space Museum, located in Tuscon, Arizona. 

Several years ago I was working at Davis-Monthan Air Force base doing fit checks of crashworthy helicopter seats in an Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter.  (You may recognize Davis-Monthan as host to the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, A.K.A. the "boneyard", where thousands of old military aircraft are stored outside in the dry desert air. Some are sent here to be broken up for parts or scrap, while others are kept "mothballed", with the possibility of flying again someday if really needed.) On my drive into the base, I noticed a sign for the Pima museum, which is located just south of the base.  I was finally able to spend an afternoon there after the work was completed, and I was very impressed with their collection. They have 6 main hangars, with everything from general aviation, to military to commercial aircraft exhibits. Plus they have an additional building, called the Space Exploratorium, with a variety of space exhibits.  As impressive as the indoor displays are, there is just as much aerospace hardware located outside, including a rare Convair B-58 Hustler bomber and a bulbous "Super-Guppy" transport used to carry over-sized payloads such as rocket segments.  Finally, if this doesn't satisfy your craving for interesting aircraft, you can sign up to take a bus tour (unfortunately, since 9/11, you can't get off the bus and walk around the planes anymore) of the boneyard over at Davis-Monthan, where you can see rows and rows of stored aircraft such as F-14s, A-6s, F-4s , among many other retired trainer, cargo and fighter aircraft. So if you are heading to the Tuscon area for a winter vacation, I'd highly recommend the Pima Air and Space Museum. The milder winter temperatures mean you can linger a while longer through all the outdoor exhibits. I did everything in one afternoon, including the bus tour, but I sort of rushed through it. I'd recommend a full day if you want to make sure everything soaks in. Finally, if you go during the warmer months, like I did (August), you can still enjoy the outdoor exhibits. Just remember to carry some water with you, wear a hat, and take a break every so often by ducking into one of the air conditioned hangars to cool off.