A totally interactive flight experience for young people, unlike any other in Wisconsin or the Midwest, will open to the public on May 15, as the EAA AirVenture Museum unveils its new "KidVenture Gallery" at its facility in Oshkosh.

The KidVenture Gallery includes hands-on fun in every exhibit, including simulators, more than a half-dozen separate aircraft cockpits and many more exhibits. The 3,000-square foot gallery is designed as a fun-filled way to increase young people's knowledge and enthusiasm in the thrilling world of flight.

"EAA has the right combination of expertise, background and facilities to make this exciting exhibit area a reality," said Adam Smith, EAA AirVenture Museum Director. "As part of our mission to prepare young people to enjoy the world of flight, we created an experience that carries them into the sky. We're very excited about this new addition to the EAA museum, and we invite all young people to hop aboard and let their dreams take flight!"

Inside the gallery, young people will be able to take the "Chopper Challenge" and see if they have the skill to keep a helicopter airborne. They can make rocket fuel and discover how chemistry and physics play a key role in flight. Visitors can also find themselves in a hang glider sling or a hot-air balloon basket and "feel" themselves flying over the countryside in front of wide-screen simulators. There are also aviation discovery activities suitable for younger children in the gallery.

The KidVenture Gallery, whose development is being supported by the Emil Buehler Trust, will be included with regular museum admission. The concept grew from the extremely popular KidVenture area hosted for young people each summer during the EAA AirVenture fly-in. Each year, thousands of kids enjoy aviation activities in that area during the world's largest general aviation event. The new KidVenture Gallery features many of those activities plus many more, linked some way to aviation and featuring learning through discovery.

"The EAA AirVenture Museum is already acknowledged as one of the nation's great aviation museums, while our youth aviation education programs are known as some of the most comprehensive anywhere," Smith said. "This new, colorful interactive gallery offers a unique way to explore and enjoy the world of flight, creating a memorable experience for our younger visitors and their families every time they visit. Who knows? The young person who ignites the spark of curiosity here may be the next great aviation or aerospace innovator."

The EAA AirVenture Museum is located just off Highway 41 at the Highway 44 exit in Oshkosh. The Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. EAA members receive free museum admission year-round and family memberships are available.

FMI: www.airventuremuseum.org