Airbase Arizona - Commemorative Air Force

Frequently Asked Questions about the Airbase Arizona Flying Museum

The Airbase Arizona Flying Museum is a spacious and wheelchair accessible facility in all exhibition areas and restrooms. A limited number of scooters, wheelchairs and walkers are available for public use at the docent station inside the museum free of charge.

While we are not qualified to assess specific individual health conditions or limitations of potential visitors, our Docents will do their best to provide assistance as needed.

The museum address Is 2017 Greenfield Road, Mesa, Arizona 85215, telephone 480-924-1940. We are located on the northeast corner of McKellips and Greenfield.

Complete museum admissions information is on our Visit Us page. Admissions must be purchased at the door on the date of your visit.

The availability of specific aircraft on exhibit can change, but typically the museum features 15 aircraft in the main exhibit area (representing WWI thru Global War on Terror) and six operational aircraft either outdoors or in the maintenance hangar. Aircraft in our flying program include the B-17, B-25, C-47, C-45, SNJ/AT-6 and N2S Stearman.

The B-17 and C-47 are generally open for touring inside the aircraft unless closed for maintenance or if they are flying or on tour elsewhere. Please check our Facebook page for day-to-day awareness of aircraft movement, or call the docent station the morning of your visit 480-268-2153.

Purchase of an Annual Museum Pass may be made online or at the admissions desk. The Annual Pass is good for unlimited admissions to the museum for the holder and one guest for one year from the date of purchase. Redeem your prepaid online receipt to receive your Annual Pass card at the admissions desk. Purchase of an Annual Museum Pass is a great way to support education programs and exhibit development and is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Regular museum admission of $20 is discounted to $15 for seniors and veterans (including reservists). Children 5 and under are free. Disabled veterans are free. We are a Blue Star Family Museum and admit all active duty military free of charge.

There are no individual discounts for flights (veteran, active duty, annual pass holder etc.). The only time flights are discounted are when the ‘whole aircraft rate’ is used, meaning all the seats are purchased for a company or group. Please contact rides@azcaf.org for information on ‘whole aircraft’ flight purchases.

Pre-screening of historic artifact offers are required. Items cannot be accepted on a walk-in or drop-off basis without a completed and approved screening document. The process is easy and quick by sending information about the items and photos of them to museum@azcaf.org. Cell phone or snapshots of items are fine.

We are very interested in original artifacts from important or personal experiences in military aviation and these items have priority. To learn more about our collection priorities click here. We very rarely accept kit-built models, books, magazines, videotapes or artwork. Help us help you to preserve authentic history and participate in an easy pre-screening.

Cash donations are encouraged and welcome any time. Your generosity keeps the aircraft flying and programs continuing in the museum. You may donate online by clicking here DONATE

Come visit with us or take a flight during our Flying Legends of Victory Tour during summer as our bombers tour the USA and sometimes Canada. We typically make 15 to 20 appearances over the summer season. Our schedule is normally not finalized and published until May. Periodically check our Facebook page or tour site for updates after May 1st.

If you are suggesting a future location for us to visit, please help us by recruiting an official ‘Host’ at your location to submit an official request. Flying Legends of Victory Tour host information and online application for hosting is located at Summer Tour Host.

Airbase Arizona provides inspiring flyovers for important historic occasions as part of its mission. Additional flyovers are sometimes available to organizations or community members for a fee, operations permitting. To request a flyover or make a donation to our historic flyover program send your written inquiry to rides@azcaf.org

Food service is not available or permitted inside the museum, however several restaurants are across the street on McKellips in the Walmart shopping center

A gift shop of military aviation souvenirs is in the admissions desk area of the entrance. Items offered include t-shirts, ball caps, books, aircraft toys, jackets and more. Specific questions may be addressed to the Front Desk at 480-924-1940, option 0.

See ‘Tours’

Honor flights are an opportunity for us to provide a memorable flight in a warbird for deserving veterans who served in WWII. Applications for honor flights should name the person and briefly describe their service and in addition state whether their condition is such that they are physically able to climb in and out of the aircraft independently with no assistance. Three to six foot vertical ladders or high cockpit ‘step overs’ are typical in most of our aircraft. Apply to rides@azcaf.org

Regular museum hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm.
We are closed on observed holidays including July 4th, Thanksgiving Day, December 24 & 25, New Years Eve & Day. Other closures are rare but will be announced in advance as needed to accommodate special event set up and take down such as for the annual Night in the 40s fundraiser.

Internships for individuals or small project groups are an excellent way to provide hands-on experience in several areas of aviation museum operations and administration. Both college-level, aviation/A&P/trade school and high school-level opportunities (for age 16 and up) are offered. Primary areas include museum science/exhibits, museum guide, care/maintenance of exhibit aircraft, and business support.
Interested persons must apply in advance and participate in an interview to clarify the applicant’s areas of interest and availability, and approval of the student’s educational institution.
To apply, complete and submit this form

Airbase Arizona is always interested in community partnerships of mutual interest that increase public participation in military aviation history through jointly-produced special events and educational programs. Contact museum@azcaf.org.

Well-behaved family pets in containers or on leashes are permitted in the museum to assist you in not leaving them in your vehicle during your visit as needed. Service animals are welcome.

Animals are not permitted inside our aircraft. This applies to service animals as well as pets.

‘Personal’ photography/videography while visiting our museum is encouraged. Please post your photos on social media and tag us!

‘Commercial’ photography/videography is different and requires prior screening, written application and approval by management. Anyone who enters the museum or grounds with professional imaging equipment, publishes or releases the photos to the general public, sells or uses the images to further a professional or business cause is considered a ‘commercial’ photographer/videographer. Anyone who requires special access or set up beyond what is typical for a general public visitor, is considered a ‘commercial’ photographer/videographer.

Commercial photographers/videographers must apply to do so in advance, have their project cleared by management, and must complete a commercial photography agreement (which sometimes requires payment of a fee). To request a commercial photo shoot submit it in writing to museum@azcaf.org.

With over 172 aircraft, the CAF is always looking for experienced and qualified pilots. You MUST be a full CAF member and have a current pilot’s license in order to apply, as well as other mandatory requirements. Additional information is available and ONLY seriously interested candidates are encouraged to contact a local unit or the CAF directly at (877) 767-7175. CAF Airbase Arizona is a unit of the CAF contact them at operations@azcaf.org.

Airbase Arizona offers exciting rides in authentic warbirds from the WWII-era. Six different types of aircraft from two seat trainers to a full size heavy bomber are offered. Prices range from $95 up to $850 per seat depending on the aircraft. To see what is currently available, age and mobility guidelines and to book a flight online or purchase a gift certificate go to the web site Fly With Us.

Purchasing flights for off-site aircraft appearances around Arizona is easy. When the flights are ready for sale to the public they are posted on our web site with a link for online booking. For additional questions contact rides@azcaf.org.

Our large bombers and C-47 are multi-seat aircraft and must fill a minimum number of seats to fly. In the unlikely event the flight is rescheduled to accommodate this, the Ride Coordinator will contact you and offer a rescheduled flight or a refund.

Flight purchase confirmation online generates an email to the purchaser. Remember to check your ‘spam folder’ in case the email was directed there instead of your inbox. If you do not see the confirmation in a reasonable time please contact rides@azcaf.org.

Our living history flight program regulations require each person be physically capable of getting into and out of the aircraft without assistance. The variety of aircraft in our Ride Program have different characteristics: some require stepping up and over into a cockpit high off the ground, others require climbing of vertical ladders. Or can be similar to a short stair and walking into a cabin.

Helicopter flights are not part of our living history flight program.

For more information on what to expect go to Flight FAQ | Airplane Rides Frequently Asked Questions | Air Museum AZ (azcaf.org)

Persons or companies desiring to do business with Airbase Arizona should contact our business office via email at finance@azcaf.org. Appointments are required for site visits.

The museum features speaker programs year-round on designated Saturdays. Our museum speaker programs generally start at 1 pm last 60 to 90 minutes and are free with regular admission. For a specific calendar of events go to Museum Events or check our announcements on Facebook. If needed, contact the docent desk at 480-268-2153.

Speakers are available from the museum to speak to school groups, classes, community groups and similar. A wide range of military aviation topics are available from World War I to the Global War on Terror. Local speaker engagements are free and donations to the museum are appreciated. Out of area speaker requests may require travel reimbursement. Send your request to docent@azcaf.org.

Airbase Arizona Flying Museum offers a variety of exciting, guided tour experiences for individuals and groups. A guided tour helps visitors better enjoy their visit through our numerous collections and hear some behind-the-scenes stories on the way. Group sizes accommodate family groups, large clubs and organizations. Tours take one to two hours.

Individual Tours should check in at the docent desk upon entering the exhibit floor to see if there are posted tour times or a docent available during their visit. These tours are not on a reservation basis and may include more than one individual. Free with regular admission.

Cockpit Tours are scheduled on most days and include cockpit tours of selected aircraft for an additional $12 per person over the regular admission price. A docent with pilot qualifications conducts the tour which is kept to a small group size to enable all participants the opportunity to actually sit in one or more cockpits designated for the tour. Participants should be 12 or over and physically able to climb up short steps or ladders. Tickets are sold at the Admissions Desk first-come-first-served, sorry no advance reservations. Schedule may change due to operational issues.

Group Tours are scheduled on an advance reservation basis for groups of eight or more. Group tour participants have the benefit of a discounted group rate of $15 each for all adults. Large groups are divided into manageable sizes with their own assigned docent guides. For example, a group of 60 would be broken up into three groups of 20. Once the online reservation is made, the group tour coordinator contacts you to finalize and update details as necessary. All groups should submit a reservation request using our online form Group Tour Request .

  • Any groups with more than 60 total persons in their party must fill out the online form in the Group Tour Request on our web site at least 30-days prior to the desired tour date. More advance notice is highly recommended during tourism season November to April. The Tour Coordinator will call the requester to see if splitting the group or staggering tour times will work for this large size group.
  • Once the online reservation is received, the group tour coordinator contacts you to finalize and update details as necessary.
  • If more information is needed or a change needed to a reservation send an email to the group tour coordinator at docent@azcaf.org or leave a voicemail at 480-268-2153.

School and Youth Group Tours are available on an advance reservation basis to groups of eight or more, similar to group tours. Submit reservation here Group Tour Request. Minimum age of students or youth group participants is eight. At least one teacher is required to be present for the tour. Groups in the 5 to 12 age range must have one adult chaperone for every eight students/youth. Admission for each teacher/chaperone is $5 each, student/youth participants are free courtesy of the educational programs of Airbase Arizona.

  • While we do not provide guided tours for children age seven and younger, adult-led and self-guided groups of such children are permitted. The docent station can provide such groups a copy of the current ‘Kids Adventure Hunt’ handout to assist such groups. The adult to child ratio for preschoolers is one adult per two pre-schoolers.

Can the museum assist with major public projects or programs? To inquire about obtaining assistance for a project or program involving a subject included in our exhibits, submit a written request to the museum director at museum@azcaf.org. Mission-permitting, we are interested in providing appropriate support to worthy projects that benefit public knowledge of military aviation.

Our museum and other facilities are not available for private events as a rental or venue for hire. Organizations wishing to produce mission-related special events with us may submit inquiries to mailto:museum@azcaf.org.

Airbase Arizona is run by 99+% volunteers. We are always looking for more volunteers who want to help our unique programs reach the public. National and local CAF membership is required for most volunteer positions. Information on joining our organization can be found online at Members | Commemorative Air Force Airbase Arizona (azcaf.org). Orientation and training are required. Special qualifications apply to flight and maintenance positions. Several positions in the museum, special events, exhibits and more are always in need of new volunteers.

Most visitors spend an hour or two viewing the museum and come back to see more. The exciting and inspiring combination of flight days, combat aircraft on exhibit and unique stories about Americans who went to war over 100 years of military aviation can be breathtaking.

Self-guided and docent guided tours are available.

We have restrooms and places to sit but do not offer food or beverage service. We recommend the restaurants across the street to the south in the shopping center.

Our exhibits and programs are best suited for adults and children age six and up. All children are welcome, although during times when our aircraft fly parents should be prepared in case the sound level is disturbing to the child.

The main exhibit area plus maintenance hangar are about 60,000 square feet. The outdoor aircraft ramp area adds another 30,000 square feet when aircraft are parked there for visitors. The spacious nature of the museum is such that hundreds of people can be here without the feeling of being crowded or rushed.