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About the Museum The Indiana Aviation Museum was incorporated on September 28, 2000 in the State of Indiana, and Not-For-Profit status was granted under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) as an educational organization structured as a museum. A Board of Directors was approved as well as corporate officers. 
Currently the President of IAM, Mr. James Read entered the United States Marine Corps as a Naval Aviator in 1953. During the course of his four-year enlistment, he was given the opportunity to learn to fly various aircraft, such as the SNJ trainer(Navy/Marine version of the AT-6), T-34 Mentor trainer, AD Skyraider prop-fighter, FJ-2 Saber jet, and the F-9 Cougar jet, and made carrier launchings and landings. Mr. Read's interest in flying continued after his departure from the Marine Corps.
In pursuit of his interest in aviation, Mr. Read wished to start an aviation museum. At first, he acquired and restored a T-34 Mentor, and then acquired several other military aircraft, including a P-51D Mustang, F4U-5N Corsair, PT-17 Stearman, T-28 Trojan, AT-6G Texan, and a Cessna A-37A Dragonfly jet. The newest addition is a DHC 1 MK22 Chipmonk. Some civilian types of aircraft then followed: A twin engine Baron and a Lake L-4 amphibian. For IAM's president, the prerequisite for any IAM plane is that it must be airworthy, and must have two seats, offering others the experience of flight. Mr. Read is an aviator at heart, and wishes that everyone would enjoy aviation and its history by becoming a part of IAM. Since some museum planes fly, the next requirement is to have museum pilots that fly them. Dedicated individuals have devoted themselves to specializing in flying one or more of the IAM planes; some museum pilots are employed in the aviation field. Museum pilots take great pride in representing IAM, and in bringing aviation history to the public, as well as offering the Warbird Experience to interested patrons. Museum aircraft are also available for static display, air show participation, documentaries, and movies. Contact charrell@netnitco.net for availability and details. To oversee and support the function of IAM in bringing rides and aviation history to the public, many devout museum personnel take part. These outstanding individuals come from all walks of life, and share one thing in common: the love and history of aviation, and the wish to bring it to the community. Being a veteran, Mr. Read supports both past and present veterans, and incorporates into the museum philosophy the fact that freedom isn't free, but is paid for by those who serve. Thus, Indiana Aviation Museum is partnered with the Veterans History Project and also maintains a Support Our Troops page. Many aspects entail managing IAM, including staffing the museum for open hours, planning and executing special events, maintaining clean aircraft, explaining the function and history of the planes to visitors, and coordinating volunteer participation. Mr. Read welcomes those who wish to become an active part of perpetuating aviation history by becoming a part of IAM. Those individuals who have such an interest in IAM are encouraged to become both a member and volunteer, joining the outstanding volunteer corps that empower the function of the museum. Please sign our Guest Book and add your comments.
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Contact the Webmaster © Copyright 2001 Indiana Aviation Museum. All rights reserved. 4601 Murvihill Rd. Valparaiso, IN 46383 Phone: 219.548.3123 Site maintained by IAM volunteers |
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