Aviators sculpt the skies in classic airplanes to honor the history of antique aviation.
Aviators sculpt the skies in classic airplanes to honor the history of antique aviation.
Transcript
[KOHLSDORF] Soaring over the rolling hills of southeast Iowa, aviators sculpt the skies in classic airplanes –
(plane engine)
[KOHLSDORF] -- keeping alive the storied history of antique aviation.
[plane engine]
[KOHLSDORF] Fans of aviation celebrate these flying works of art at the Airpower Museum at the Antique Airfield. Founded in 1965, the Airpower Museum is open to the public and shares an affiliation with the private group, the Antique Airplane Association, conveniently parked next door.
[BRENT TAYLOR] It's a symbiotic relationship. So yes, the the biggest donors and volunteers are members of the Antique Airplane Association to help keep this place going.
[KOHLSDORF] Brent Taylor's father, Robert Taylor, started the Antique Airplane Association in 1953. The Airpower Museum is a time capsule of mechanized flight. Decades of aviation advancement are on display at the museum for visitors to learn about.
[BRENT TAYLOR] The annex has models. It has aircraft engines. It has various other memorabilia with aircraft, a couple of semi early simulators, Link Trainer, probably the oldest Link Trainer in existence.
[KOHLSDORF] The showcase of mechanical memories displayed at the Airpower Museum draws visitors from all over the country. Loveland, Colorado native Caleb Battke has been visiting the museum for almost a decade.
[CALEB BATTKE] The first time I flew out here was about eight years ago. We just, you know, found a big open field in Iowa and it's just, it’s a surreal experience. I mean, who even comes up with this stuff? You know, it's just out of someone's mind and then you're looking at it and, you know, they have engines that have cut away parts. And it's just, it's cool to get back into that mindset of engineers.
[KOHLSDORF] But it's the passion for air power that people like Brent Taylor and his family have that truly piques his interest.
[CALEB BATTKE] I mean, the family that started this museum and the airfield just were super passionate about it. Unless people come and they enjoy it and they respect what this place still has, then places like this all across the nation will cease to exist because, you know, unless you're seeing it, you don't really recognize the value that's here.
[KOHLSDORF] While the fly ins are private events hosted by the Antique Aviation Association, the Airpower Museum welcomes visitors throughout the year.