American Airlines C.R. Smith Museum is a window seat look at the world of flight

American Airlines C.R. Smith Museum is a sight and sound, hands on, window seat look at the world of flight. Visitors are able to see and touch items that are part of the aviation industry as the museum is dedicated soles to commercial aviation.

The museum opened in July 1993 and is dedicated to American Airlines employees from the past and present along with C.R. Smith who was the longtime president of American Airlines and a pioneer of aviation. The museum is a nonprofit organization and received funding by gifts of corporate partners, employees and retirees of American Airlines.

Self guided tours are available through the museum and are designed for fun and self guided exploration. There are over 1,000 items on display including historical items of commercial aviation, the principles of flight and careers in aviation. Tour groups are welcome; the museum requests that notice is given so they can be accommodated easily.

Events held at the museum include Mad Science events where the mad scientists have been working to brew potions to get visitors brains popping. There is funky foam and a rainless rainbow for kids, and kids at heart, to enjoy. Marshmallows will be launched until it snows and kids can invent a snack for a reindeer. The Mad Science Lab is the world's leading science provider, offering a unique delivery with hands on experiments for children to participate in. The Lab encourages children with reading, writing and arithmetic through science.

Students are also able to attend Eagle Aviation Camp to educate them about the roles of aviation in history and to encourage students to explore aviation as a career. While on the camp students will be instructed by pilots, mechanics, flight attendants and other staff who are trained in the aviation field.

The exhibits at the museum start with a sculpture of a bald eagle bearing the message, "Thanks C.R.'' in the main lobby, the sculpture was created and presented to the museum by Zandy Taylor who was a Captain with American Airlines. There are also models of the aircraft that are currently in operation by the airline.

Other exhibits include photographs, awards and memorabilia, which provide a biography of C.R. Smith's achievements. On the History Wall are hundreds of objects including interactive videos, quiz games and audio exhibits of the company's history. A large screen theater with first class airline seats shows the film, Spirit of American; the screen is a large 36 feet high. In Flightlab visitors will learn how places fly through computer games and interactive displays, the Flight Simulator fly's the visitor in the co-pilot's seat over the Golden Gate Bridge or fly by a cruise ship in San Francisco Bay, volunteer assistance is required with t his exhibit. There is also a exhibit on how things work on the ground such as reservations and the issue of tickets or how the bags are sorted, see how the mechanics maintain the complex aircraft to keep the safe and in the air. Lastly is the Working in the Air Exhibit that demonstrates how the cabin and cockpit crews work, there is an exhibit of the cockpit in a Fokker 100 showing the flight deck of this aircraft.

The museum is also available for rental for events such as weddings, charity events, awards ceremonies or corporate functions. There is over 35,000 square feet of available space that can accommodate up to 500.

Visitors are also able to participate in a Scavenger Hunt throughout the museum to search for history. To complete this hunt a Museum Map and Guide Brochure is available in the main lobby.