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The Museum is open! Our 2025 Museum Hours of Operation Calendar is posted on our Museum Info page.

 

Models give everyone the power to experience the thrill of flight while their feet are on the ground!

Complete your group's experience at the museum by building and flying your own model aircraft. Our 90-minute "Build-and-Fly Adventures!" are a hit with schools, Scouts, and other groups of all ages. To ensure we have the correct amount of supplies for your adventure, please book at least three weeks in advance. Each adventure includes: 

• A tour of the museum (the Main Gallery, Models at Work, and the Hands-On Gallery)
• A hands-on building experience with either the FPG-9 or AMA Alpha Builds 

Tour Groups and Pricing

Tour pricing depends on the build your group chooses and the number of visitors in your group. All prices listed include the cost of the build and the cost of the tour. An FPG-9 tour costs $8 per youth visitor, while an AMA Alpha build costs $12 per youth visitor. Adults wishing to participate in the build will be charged $10 (FPG-9) or $14 (AMA Alpha). Teachers and Scout Leaders visit for free, and chaperones will be charged $4 each (if they are not participating in the build). 

We offer tours for groups of up to 60 youth visitors. This allows us to split the group into smaller sections to ensure all participants have a positive experience. If you have a group that is larger than 60 youth participants, reach out to discuss. 

Our typical tour structure is geared towards youth visitors aged 10 and up. If would like to arrange a tour for a younger age group, we will be more than happy to adjust your tour activities to fit the appropriate age range.  

Additional Activities

If you are looking to expand your field trip, we offer additional activities! These require additional time beyond the 90-minute Build-and-Fly Adventures:  

Flying Demonstrations at our Outdoor Site

We may be able to provide your group with a special flight demo session in our outdoor space! Our bleachers give a great view and the sound system makes it easy for students to hear explanations from the pilot and to ask questions during the flight. This activity requires additional time and is weather-dependent. Ask about our outdoor flight demos when you book for availability and pricing! 

Food & Drink

While food and drinks are not permitted inside the gallery space, we understand that your students may get hungry! Luckily, we have both indoor and outdoor space where your students can eat lunch. When you book a tour at the National Model Aviation Museum, you and your students have access* to the Claude McCullough Education Facility for no additional charge. You may also travel further onto our site to find our outdoor gathering spaces, but these may or may not be available depending on any on-site events.

The National Model Aviation Museum and the Â鶹ÊÓƵ do not provide food or drinks for tour groups. We do have water fountains on site to ensure proper hydration! 

*Because summer is a busy season at the Â鶹ÊÓƵ, we cannot ensure that the McCullough will be available for your initial preferred dates. We will work with your group to find a time that you may use the room or to find other accommodations on site.  

Scheduling a Tour

Tours are available by appointment, with potential availability Monday through Friday, 10:00am - 4:30pm. Click here to check out our current museum schedule. 

Because the summer season is busy, it is important to reach out at least three weeks in advance for a better chance at locking in a tour on your preferred date! We will work with all groups to schedule around any other events at the International Aeromodeling Center, but contacting us earlier gives you the freedom to avoid busy events or competitions.   

If you are scheduling a K-12 or Scout tour, reach out to Gwen Mathis at gwenm@modelaircraft.org or (765) 287-1256 x 514. 

If you are scheduling a tour for a group that does not fall in either of these categories, reach out to Michael Smith at michaels@modelaircraft.org or (765) 287-1256 x 500.  

FPG-9  BUILD-AND-FLY ADVENTURE  The FPG-9 glider is made from foam and teaches basic construction and trimming techniques. We will also teach you how to use the built-in control surfaces to change the direction of your flight. After we build it, we'll perform an indoor flight test challenge! This simple model is perfect for ages 5 and up.   Cost: $8 youth           $10 adult    Time: about 90 minutes

AMA ALPHA  BUILD-AND-FLY ADVENTURE  The AMA Alpha is a rubber-powered balsa wood model. You will learn the basics of balsa construction, and we'll help you transform the basic kit into a super flying machine! You'll also learn how to properly wind the motor and techniques for a strong launch. If the weather is right, we will go outside and fly them. The AMA Alpha is best suited for ages 10 and up.                            Cost: $12 youth            $14 adult  Time: about 90 minutes

Need more information?

Before submitting a reservation form, email us at education@modelaircraft.org.