The experience

You've got to see it to believe it

This is an interactive show, not a typical museum tour. To the best of our knowledge there is nothing like it anywhere else. Every guest who has seen it — women, men and children — has walked out satisfied.

Interior of the vintage AeroBall SimCab flight simulator with glowing analog instruments

Fly the SimCab

Strap into the only surviving example of this simulator on earth — originally built at a cost of over three million dollars — and fly the AeroBall game yourself.

Republic F-105 Thunderchief fighter-bomber on display at the museum grounds

Stand under the Thud

The supersonic fighter-bomber that carried the war North. Dave Ferguson stood in front of 306 — “It is well with my soul.”

30th Aero Squadron Hangar

Walk a working hangar packed with Cadet-era airframes, instruments, uniforms, and the stories that go with every one of them.

Narrow Gauge Train Ride

Ride the narrow gauge line through the property — a favorite with families and grandkids.

Silver Wings Field Chapel

“Meet the Master,” a one-hour presentation performed for groups of 20 to 100. Call for reservations and times.

Iron on the ramp

Photographs from the museum's own archive — these are the airframes on the field today.

Republic F-105 “Thud”

The supersonic fighter-bomber that carried the war North. Dave Ferguson stood in front of 306 — “It is well with my soul.”

North American F-100 Super Sabre

First of the Century Series and the first USAF fighter capable of supersonic speed in level flight.

Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star

The jet that taught generations to fly. Despite its vintage, the venerable T-Bird still serves worldwide.

Convair T-29

The “flying classroom” — where navigators learned their trade at 20,000 feet.

Navy T-34 Mentor

Primary trainer for the Air Force, the Navy, and base aero clubs across the country.

Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter

Part of the family of light supersonic fighters designed and built by Northrop.

Arrive by land or by air

Silver Wings Field is Eureka Springs' only airport, and it sits on our doorstep. Fly in for the show — just call ahead. All pilots must contact the airport manager at 479-253-5008 to obtain permission to land.

FAA Identifier

55AR

Runway 16/34

1,900 × 65 ft · turf, good condition

Field Elevation

1,571 ft MSL

Location

3 miles NE of Eureka Springs, AR

Coordinates

36-25-47N / 093-41-44W

Airport Use

Private — prior permission required

Restrictions: No landings runway 34. All takeoffs to the north, all landings from the north. Radio-controlled model aircraft operate in the vicinity of the SE end.

I do teach how it was — after all, I was there

Errol D. Severe, USAF Aviation Cadet class 61-E graduate and founder of the Aviation Cadet Museum

Errol D. Severe — Class 61-E

Errol D. Severe graduated from the USAF Aviation Cadet Pilot Training Program at Vance Air Force Base in 1961, class 61-E — fifteen months, as tough as it gets. He flew KC-97 tankers on active duty, was hired by Delta Airlines in 1963, and retired in 1985.

In 1994 he and his wife Beth built Aviation Cadet World in the Ozark hills. “This will not be a dry museum; rather it will be a living experience,” Errol said. “A place where every man, woman and child can travel back in time to the glory days of the Cadet Corps.”

Errol is the author of “The Last of a Breed” and organized the first Aviation Cadet reunion at Kelly Air Force Base in 1997, with 1,000 in attendance. Beth — CFO, songwriter and chef — runs Brigadoon, the three-story bed and breakfast near the field.

At 84, Errol still teaches every show himself. The museum is a nonprofit, supported by visitors and donors who believe this country's accomplishments in the air are worth celebrating.

Ask Errol

Talk to the last of a breed

Voice enabled · Class 61-E

A storytelling stand-in for Errol, speaking from his memoir and his years in the Cadet Corps.

Well, hello. Errol Severe here — Class 61-E. Ask me about cadet training, the airplanes, or the book. I'll tell it the way it was.

Book the 3 o'clock show

Regular season runs April 1 through October 31 on a one-show-per-day schedule at 15:00. We're closed Sundays and some holidays. Off season, call to see whether we can run the show. We take two or more adults at any time of year, weather permitting — reservations required.

We only take cash at the door, so book online with a card to lock in your seats.

Purchase advance tickets

Guest reviews

What visitors are saying

★★★★★Read all 22 reviews →

A hidden gem in the Ozarks
“Errol brings history to life. Our kids were glued to every story, and the SimCab flight was the highlight of our vacation. Don't miss it.”
— Sarah M., Tripadvisor
Best experience in Eureka Springs
“This is not a museum — it's a show. The passion and knowledge behind every aircraft is incredible. Worth every penny.”
— James K., Tripadvisor
Living history
“Standing under the F-105 while a former aviation cadet tells you what it was like to fly one is something you can't get anywhere else.”
— The R. family, Tripadvisor

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The only Aviation Cadet Museum in the world