The Knoxville News-Sentinel from Knoxville, Tennessee • 215

(Advertisement) FIRST AVIATION museum Opens in sevierville -A They not only have a comprehensive knowledge of the area and its potential for the museum project but each has a passion for airplanes and aviation history Add to this a deep love of country and their shared vision for the new Tennessee Museum of Aviation is easy to understand A tour of the Tennessee Museum of Aviation will be a moving patriotic experience In addition to an WBMhwighig fleet nf about 20 aircraft the Museum will feature a comprehensive collection of artifacts meniorahiHa something for everyone Children will enjoy learning what makes an airplane fly and can even take the controls in A special section on Aviation Careerjopportunities will also showcase aviation educational institutions The Flying Spirit Gift Gallery will be like no other and its proceeds will help fund programs The Tennessee Museum of Aviation and Hall of Pame are a non-profit educational entity first and only significant aviation museum will open in early' December The brand new 60000 square foot aircraft hangar and museum is located in Sevierville at the Gatiinburg- Pigeon Fbrge Airport and for good reason The foundation of the new -Tennessee Museum of exhibit -aircraft will be active flying waibird aircraft Visitors will be treated to impromptu flight demonstrations that will take place from the runway located right next to the museum hangar These are those magnificent flying machines that are often times credited with winning our freedom during World War II Just to hear those powerful engines is a thrift Aviation Museum Pounder Neal Melton selected the airport in Sevier Countyin 1999 and construction has been underway for nearly a year Melton chose this location because Gatlinburg-Pigeon Fbrge Airport because it serves as a primary air transportation link for corporate and general aviation aircraft to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge- Sevierville resorts area The are 'not only a top national tourist destination but is also the most frequently visited vacation destination for citizens of Tennessee Melton then offered to provide a home for the Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame established in 1996 by founder Bob Minter and recently made the official aviation hall of fame by the General Assembly It was especially important to Minter and his Board of Directors that the Aviation Hall of Pame be accessible to Tennesseans Minter Baid "the fact that the Great Smoky Mountains urn iha rnimher one vacation chnica VUmnwBMft finwiliwi matin mir decision an easy Soon after agreeing to combine the new Tennessee Museum of Aviation and Tennessee Aviation Hall of Pame Neal Melton asked Bob Minter to serve as the Executive Director Neither had met prior to being introduced by Gatlinburg-Pigeon Porge Airport Manager Don Baker but both Melton and Minter are native East Tennesseans Ait AWMdSHIMWW XV MEMORABLE Jusi2mNM fcORldoMIOM SawwviS Take Dotty Pwton Parkway (411)to Air MuwumWay Than Right ll '-M J5 i' rmuseumcom.