The Flight Simulator At The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum In Hawaii Will Take You On A Thrilling Adventure
By Megan Shute|Published February 13, 2020
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
Nearly 80 years after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor — a day that will live in infamy as one of the most tragic attacks on United States soil, and the event that launched our great country into World War II — the base itself is one of two main bases for the U.S. Pacific Fleet, as well as a living piece of history, with several museums and memorials open to the public. And if you happen to prefer aviation to naval history, you’ll want to plan a visit to the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. Not only will you be able to immerse yourself in history, but the museum’s flight simulator will take you on a high-flying adventure.
Housed within the walls of two hangars that survived the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, this historic museum is a must-visit for military, history, and aviation enthusiasts.
Formerly known as the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor, the guest experience will begin in Hangar 37, a 42,000-square-foot former seaplane hangar that houses an impressive collection of vintage aircraft.
Guests will have the opportunity to view a short, 12-minute movie covering the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, including historic footage, before exploring the massive, 25,000-square-foot exhibit that details life on Oahu before the attack as well as the story of America’s mobilization for war and beyond.
From there, head on over to Hangar 79, an 80,000-square-foot facility that was used as a maintenance and engine repair facility and today holds many historic helicopters as well as modern jets.
The hangar doors’ blue glass windows are riddled with bullet holes left by the Japanese attack, and you’re sure to feel a sense of history as you explore this one-of-a-kind destination museum.
If a hands-on experience is what you desire, look no further than the museum’s brand new and totally epic flight simulator. With only 150 tickets available each day, take to the skies in this state-of-the-art 360-degree flight simulator to experience aviation like never before.
The Fighter Ace 360 Flight Simulators can roll somersault, spin, and loop as you take the controls and choose from an adrenaline-pumping dogfight in a P-38 over tropical waters in Thunder In The Pacific or take off across the galaxy in a futuristic spaceship with Quantum Star Fighter.
The flight simulator seats two, and you’ll love having control of the aircraft’s flight and weapon system. 150 tickets are available per day at the front desk on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you can snag a ticket, you’re sure to be in aviator heaven.
Before leaving the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, stop by the museum gift shop as well as the scrumptious on-site restaurant, Laniākea Cafe.
The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult tickets are $25 and Kama’aina and military members can gain access for $15. Children ages 4 through 12 cost $12 and Kama’aina and those associated with the military have $10 tickets. Children under three years of age are free. If you do not have base access, shuttles leave the Pearl Harbor Visitors Center for Ford Island every 15 minutes from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit their website.
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