Tennessee Museum of Aviation

The Tennessee Museum of Aviation was built in 2001 and opened on December 15, 2001. The entire phase-one aircraft hangar, exhibits gallery, offices and storage occupies 50,000 sq. ft. The museum's aircraft ramp area of over 45,000 sq. ft. lies right beside the active runway at Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport. An adjacent maintenance and restoration hangar is 10,000 sq. ft. in size.

MISSION STATEMENT
PRESERVE – EDUCATE - HONOR
The Tennessee Museum of Aviation and Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame are dedicated to the preservation of aviation history, including the aviation history of Tennessee; to the advancement of aviation education and to honoring those who have made significant contributions to aviation and aerospace for Tennessee, our nation or the world.

IRS STATUS
The United States Internal Revenue Service recognizes the Tennessee Museum of Aviation as an exempt public charity. IRS Code Section 501(c)(3) subsection 509 (a)(2).

CORPORATE STATUS
The Tennessee Museum of Aviation, Inc. and Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame, Inc. are public benefit, non-profit Tennessee corporations.

The Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame is Tennessee's Official Aviation Hall of Fame; TCA Title 4, Chapter 1, Part 3. (April 2001)

The Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame and Tennessee Museum of Aviation have been designated by the General Assembly as Tennessee's Official State Repository and Archive of Aviation History. Public Chapter No. 158 (May 19, 2003)

LOCATION
The Tennessee Museum of Aviation and Aviation Hall of Fame are located on the airport in Sevierville, Tennessee. The Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport (GKT) is a publicly owned, public use airport funded by the federal, state and local government programs. The runway, located immediately on the airside front of the museum allows "history to come to life" as airworthy vintage aircraft take-off, land, and conduct impromptu fly-bys.

FOUNDER - PRESIDENT - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MUSEUM FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN:
R. Neal Melton, founder of the Tennessee Museum of Aviation, Inc. is a native of Greeneville, Tennessee and a former founding partner of Regal Cinemas, the world's largest theater chain, headquartered in Knoxville. Mr. Melton is a dedicated patriot and an avid student of aviation history. He owns more than a dozen historic aircraft, some of which are on loan to the Tennessee Museum of Aviation.

AVIATION HALL OF FAME FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN:
Robert E. (Bob) Minter founded the Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame, Inc. and has spent his entire 44-year career in the aviation industry. He is a native of Kingsport, Tennessee. Mr. Minter moved to Sevierville in 2000 to become Executive Director of the Tennessee Museum of Aviation after living in Middle Tennessee for nearly 30 years. In the mid-70's, Bob Minter was employed by the State of Tennessee's DOT/Bureau of Aeronautics as Director of (Airport) Development & Operations where he had administrative responsibility for the states 76 public airports. For more than 20 years he has represented the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association, the world's largest aviation organization. Mr. Minter continues to serve as AOPA's Southeast Regional Representative.

Minter is also a co-founder of the Tennessee Aviation Association, Tennessee's only statewide aviation association. TAA is currently headquartered at the Tennessee Museum of Aviation.

In August 2002, the Tennessee Aeronautics Commission awarded Bob Minter its highest individual honor. During the 17th Annual Tennessee Airports Conference he received the Aeronautics Commission's Award of Excellence for "Career Contributions To Aviation" for his outstanding contributions to aviation in Tennessee.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
R. Neal Melton, TMA Founder & Chairman - Luttrell, TN
Robert E. (Bob) Minter, TAHF Founder & Chairman - Sevierville, TN
Vic Barrett, CPA - Sevierville, TN
Tom Patten - Nashville, TN
Bill Pratt, CO - TN First Squadron - Nashville, TN
Harry "Wes" Stowers - Knoxville, TN
Steve Stone - Crossville, TN
William Neal Perkins - Knoxville, TN

MUSEUM PROGRAMS
Daily visitor tours
Children's Programs
School Field Trips
Theater-In-The-Museum
Lecture Series
Storytelling
Aircraft Modeling Expo
Reunions / Group Tours / Special Events
Annual Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame Gala & Induction Ceremony
Operation Warm Wings (Charitable New Coats for Kids at Christmas)
Warbirds Weekends (Spring & Fall)