Erie’s Spirit Of Flight Center

by Paula King, Kentwood Company’s Erie Realtor

I loved this aviation museum in Erie when I visited recently.

One of the unique aspects that Erie has over its neighboring community is the Erie Municipal Airport.  There is a community that abuts this airport where the homes have their own hangers.  It attracts many  pilots as homebuyers even those who fly for a living out of Denver International Airport.

Even more special is the Spirit of Flight Center, www.spiritofflight.com,  that is adjacent to the airport, a non profit, world class aviation facility, founded by Gordon Page, past president of the Colorado Aviation Historical Society. As an Erie Realtor, I am always interested in our unique attractions so I can explain them to my relocation buyers moving here from out of state.  My husband and I had a personally guided tour by Mr. Page recently, and he absolutely loves what the museum represents.  It was fascinating.

There are approximately 1,000 artifacts of rare aviation items and artifacts are on display, some not seen outside the Smithsonian,  Monday thru Friday from 10 AM to 2:00 PM.  Group or weekend tours are available by appointment.  The museum focuses on a window of history from 1935 through 1965.  The centerpiece is a Messerschmitt Bf-109 prop (with original bullet holes).  There were 2200 of this mode produced.  It was acquired in Russia, and is quite a story.  You can read about it at www.warbirdrecovery.com.

One of the most unusual items that I enjoyed was a 1944 piggy bank.  The head is a Hitler likeness.  School children were encouraged to save for the war effort.  When full, they took their piggy banks in and smashed them to get the coins out, as if they were smashing the enemy, so few remain.

When we were there, they were featuring Colorado Heroes and women in the service.

The museum is being constructed in three phases.  Recover, Restore and Re-fly.  Page flies all over the world trying to recover these pieces of history.  Another hanger is used to restore the planes, check out the 1949 Cessna Bird Dog #1, and, finally, they plan to fly these magnificent planes once again.  Their mission is “to save and display aircraft and flight memorabilia to honor all veterans, and to educate the general public on the significance of aviation and aviation history.”

They have had visitors from all over the world.  There were a couple from Norway who had recently been in.  And, it is in our own backyard here in Erie, Colorado.

Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.  Group or weekend tours are available by appointment.  Don’t be shy, there is a small donation requested, but, it is well worth it.  Besides honoring veterans, the Spirit of Flight Center is dedicated to educating the general public, especially kids, on the history and science of flight by using modern flight training technologies.  There are even some interactive activities.

It is 30 minutes from both Denver and Boulder.  From I-25, go north from Denver to Highway 7.  Turn west and go about 5 miles to County Line Road (there is an Erie arrow pointing north).  Turn north on County Line and the Museum will be on the right about a mile up the road.

I promise you will not be disappointed.

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