The collection at the Hill Aerospace Museum is impressive. Some of the most amazing military aircraft from the beginning of military aviation to the present can be found there. For most days out of the year, these aircraft are cordoned off, and only possible to view from afar, but on Sept. 21, visitors to the museum have the opportunity to get a close-up look at some amazing aircraft in a way they may never have before.

Open Aircraft Day makes its return for the first time in years, and Elizabeth Najim, Operations Manager at the Hill Aerospace Museum, along with her team are ready to bring these aircraft to the public once more. “We’re really excited to do this,” said Najim, explaining the many different offerings available during the event. From food trucks to amazing guest speakers, there’s more than just aircraft tours, although those showings themselves promise to be unforgettable. 

For some of the larger modern aircraft like the KC-135, experts, pilots and other volunteers will be on hand as visitors have the opportunity to not just see them, but actually walk inside. Guests will also be able to get up close and personal with aircraft like the WWII B-17, P-51 and C-47, along with many others, closely supervised by volunteers and museum staff. The stars of the show this year, however, promise to be the F-22 and F-117A.

The F-117A Nighthawk, the famous stealth bomber of the 80s and 90s has, to this day, one of the most unique aircraft designs in history. The opportunity to take a close look at this aircraft, including the cockpit is one that most people may not get in their lifetime. Then, of course, there’s one of the museum’s most recent acquisitions, the F-22 Raptor. 

One of the most modern fifth-generation aircraft, next to the F-35, the F-22 Raptor is currently in service by the United States Air Force, and shows, as Najim said, “We are thrilled to further emphasize our newest acquisition through guest speakers and cockpit viewing on Open Aircraft Day.” Of course, everything proprietary and classified has been removed or will be unavailable to view, but the chance to look in a cockpit and under the canopy of an F-22 is something that many outside the current military simply won’t have. 

In addition to the F-22 itself, guest speakers for the event will include USAF (Ret.) MSgt. Joe Chew, a crew chief who had direct responsibility for the F-22, and Lt. Col. Philip E. “Stonewall” Johnson, Commander of the 514th Flight Test Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, and a functional check pilot of the F-22. The speakers will address the public right in front of the F-22 at 11 a.m., and 2 p.m. 

As with the museum itself, admission to Open Aircraft Day is free, along with the speakers, tours, and up close experiences with the aircraft. More information on Open Aircraft Day, the museum, and volunteering and donation opportunities can all be found at the museum website,  www.aerospaceutah.org.