A must see! Come one and all of all ages. The displays are great. Not only is there the local and regional displays and artifacts, the museum also includes the Aerospace Science and Technology Center in the basement. This is an all inclusive display of all facets of an airplane including avionics, antennas, life support, propulsion, external stores and armament, earth science and aerodynamics, air data, and much more! An ejection seat, an Israeli Kfir fighter cockpit, a "Stimulator" (a fully enclosed. B-1 like, four-place cockpit simulator) and a Land-the-Plane activity.
The museum has been quite active in local and regional aerospace activities and has prompted visits from across the united States. A national-level attention getter! The museum also includes the now inactive control tower! Again, a must see organization that you REALLY need to tour! Please consider your financial support as well>
Very interesting things about Joplin that I did not know. I recommend this for those visiting our city and those just passing through.
I had no idea so much aviation history was in the area. It was also neat to see old flight souvenirs.
Volunteering with the Freedom of Flight Museum keeps me connected with aviation. I was an Army Air Traffic Controller. I was a hot air balloon pilot. My family donated to the Voyager project and we met co-pilot Jeana Yeager in California. I helped my dad build experimental aircraft. The Museum is a great organization that brings aviation to adults and STEM activities to children.
I hadn't realized how many historical aerospace events took place in the four-state region. The first airplane using aluminum for it's framework was constructed in Joplin, the tail hook used to enable aircraft to land on aircraft carriers was invented by a man in Neosho, the design for the first fully articulating helicopter rotor head was invented and patented by a Joplin man, a giant airship was constructed in Girard Kansas. To this day there are still many manufactures of aerospace products located in the area. Many of the these products are used in our space program. You are able to see these stories and many more at the museum.
