About
If you've ever been curious about flight or wanted to see airplanes up close, visit the Southern Museum of Flight.
The story behind the Southern Museum of Flight is as exhilarating as doing a barrel roll in a biplane! Husband and wife team, Donald and Mary Alice Beatty, are the founders and inspiration of the museum.
Donald was a self-taught pilot who built his first plane at age 16 with a lawnmower engine in 1916. From that moment on, his life exemplified the song lyrics "daring young men in their flying machines."
The couple married in 1925, and Donald taught her how to fly even though it was a male-dominated skill.
After the Great Depression, and with funding from J.P. Morgan, they pioneered the first airline routes and bases in Central and South America.
In the mid-1960s, Mary created the museum's first facility at Samford University using flight artifacts and memorabilia from their expeditions. Over the decades, the museum expanded into the current 75,000-square-foot facility, which boasts an impressive blend of history, education, and technology.
The museum features vintage warplanes, commercial aircraft, and replicas of vintage planes.
Its location at the airport makes it a springboard for visiting other area landmarks. Continue your exploration of speed with a visit to the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. Combine a hike at Oak Mountain State Park with a visit to the flight museum.
Whether you combine a visit with area attractions, the Southern Museum of Flight is a must for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs.
Southern Museum of Flight: Fun Facts & Cool Features
A fun and noteworthy fact is that the museum is home to the Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame. As you would probably suspect, Donald and Mary Beatty, the only Alabama couple given this honor, are at the forefront.
Also at the Hall of Fame is a display honoring the Tuskegee Airmen. The diorama exhibit highlights their bravery and contributions during World War II. You'll get a real sense of how their bravery and expertise broke barriers and redefined aviation.
The Early Aviation Hangar highlights inventions like the full-sized replica of the Wright Brothers' 1903 Flyer, a Huff Daland crop duster, and a German Fokker D.VII replica.
The Flight Simulator Lab is a thrilling, hands-on opportunity to experience the challenge of learning to fly. The lab navigates you through the Principles of Flight, Map Reading, Cockpit Instrumentation, Preflight Briefings, and a simulated flight to a local airport.
The outside of Memorial Park is home to 30 aircraft, like the sleek and impressive Lockheed A-12 spy plane. Looking like something Batman would fly, it was used on covert missions, ripping open the skies at Mach 3.3. Also at this location are helicopters and bombers that tell stories of daring missions and groundbreaking engineering.
Refuel at any nearby restaurants before or after exploring the Southern Museum of Flight. Ladybird Taco is nearby in Mountain Brook, while downtown eateries like Yo'Mama's are only minutes away.
Visiting the Southern Museum of Flight offers an immersive experience of the science and wonder of flying. You'll marvel at the men and women who pioneered this field and their amazing flying machines.
Getting There
Here are step-by-step driving directions from downtown Birmingham to the Southern Museum of Flight:
- Head north on I-59/I-20 E.
- Take Exit 132 for Oporto Madrid Blvd toward Airport Blvd/East Lake Blvd.
- Merge onto Oporto Madrid Blvd N and follow the signs for East Lake Blvd.
- Turn right onto East Lake Blvd.
- At 73rd Street North, turn left.
- Address: 4343 73rd Street North, Birmingham, AL 35206.
Local Tips
- Plan for 2-3 hours to explore the museum and the outdoor Airpark.
- Arrive early to avoid crowds and get the best parking spots.
- Weekdays are less crowded than weekends.
- The Flight Simulator Lab is $7, usually combined with a tour.
- Check their events calendar for programs or workshops.
