Carolinas Aviation Museum
Around the country there are hundreds of museums dedicated to preserving some part of the history and heritage of aviation. These range from the grand facilities of the Smithsonian and the U.S. Airforce museums to tiny local organizations run entirely by volunteers. Some are well funded facilities with modern hangars and polished exhibits, some struggle to keep a few old airplanes available for public display. Each of these facilities has its own character and charm.
Included in the group of mostly volunteer run organizations is the Carolinas Aviation Museum. The CAM is located at the Charlotte, NC airport, serving as a kind of counterpoint to the busy US Air hub. CAM has a small office and a hangar on the general aviation side of the airport. You are not likely to stumble across it but it is readily accessible by car if you just follow the signs from the Billy Graham Parkway off of I-85.
Most of the CAM collection is military in origin and lives outside, awaiting the day when the museum is able to fund appropriate shelter. Two of the museums treasures are on display in the airline terminal, serving not only as historical displays, but also as invitations for passersby to visit the museum's main location.
Without question the best known aircraft in the CAM inventory is the Piedmont DC-3 which is seen regularly at airshows and flyins. This low time DC-3 was a public relations tool for Piedmont airlines. The airplane was never actually a passenger carrying airliner. After the US Air-Piedmont merger in 1987 the museum raised the money to acquire and continue operating the aircraft. Rides are offered at various airshows during the year. The CAM offers a great pamphlet that traces the history of DC-3 airline service and the various carriers that operated these workhorses over the years.
In addition to the DC-3 the CAM also operates two Grumman OV-1D Mohawks. These STOL turboprop aircraft were used for observation and reconnaissance by the Army and Marines in Viet Nam and are routinely seen at airshows. They have been part of the Museum's collection since 1997.
One of the more unique displays is the cotpit section of a Boeing KC-97L Stratotanker. You can visit the cotpit and marvel at the complexity of this jet/piston engine airplane that accomplished thousands of in-flight military refueling missions for several decades.
The CAM flightline host an eclectic collection of fixed wing and military aircraft and few civilian airplanes for good measure. If you are in the Charlotte area stop by and visit this collection. There is a modest admission fee that helps keep this non-profit open and growing. Museum memberships are also available. Additional information is available at www.carolinasaviation.org.
By Michael A. Likavec