NEW SOUTHWEST AIR & SPACE FLIGHT MUSEUM: May 2012

Monday, May 7, 2012

Aircraft Observation Area--Las Vegas

I just returned from a recent business trip to Las Vegas and stopped for a bite to eat at the outdoor Town Square Mall. I couldn't believe my luck. They were landing on runways 1L and 1R. Now this is a place to watch airplanes, as it is only a half-mile from the threshold. I thought, again, how great it would be to have an observation area that is part of a new museum.

What About Phoenix? San Diego?

As the number of visitors to the greater Phoenix area is only about one-third that of Las Vegas, it is not included in the top three areas recommended to be studied for a new museum. Also, Tucson already has a number of fine air and space museums.

If you are making a day trip from the Los Angeles/Orange County area to San Diego, you are probably going to Sea World or the zoo and not the air and space museum. As far as overnight visitors, the numbers are about the same as for Phoenix, so San Diego is not included in the top three areas recommended to be studied for a new museum. The Gillespie Field Annex provides much needed space but, unfortunately, is a bit far from the action for most tourists.