The Santa Maria Valley’s long-standing aviation history is set to enter a new chapter with the expansion of the Planes of Fame Air Museum to the Central Coast. Officials anticipate that the addition will become a significant regional attraction. On Thursday, February 20th, museum representatives, city officials, supporters, and aviation pioneers gathered at the Santa Maria Public Airport for a groundbreaking ceremony marking the first phase of construction. The event featured shovels adorned with images of vintage aircraft.
As reported on the Noozehawk.com, Nash Moreno, president of the Santa Maria Public Airport District’s board of directors, welcomed the museum, stating, “On behalf of the Santa Maria Public Airport District … welcome home.” The initial phase of the project includes the construction of a 56,000-square-foot hangar on airport property located south of the Santa Maria Radisson Hotel. In total, four buildings are planned for the facility.
City Manager David Rowlands emphasized that the museum will serve as both a local civic asset and a regional attraction, benefiting veterans and enhancing education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). He also highlighted the economic benefits, noting that visitors to the museum will contribute to the local economy by staying in area hotels, dining at restaurants, and purchasing souvenirs.
“This future museum will build upon Santa Maria Valley’s rich aviation history,” Rowlands said. Santa Maria’s aviation legacy dates back to the late 1920s when Capt. G. Allan Hancock established a private aviation school, training pilots at the site of what is now Allan Hancock College. During World War II, the flying school became a government contractor, training more than 8,400 aviation cadet student officers over a five-year period at the Hancock College of Aeronautics.
The site of the current Santa Maria Public Airport was once home to the Santa Maria Army Air Base, initially hosting B-25 Mitchell bombers. However, due to their excessive weight for the runways, the base shifted its focus to training P-38 Lightning fighter pilots. The Planes of Fame aircraft collection includes a P-38 Lightning that was once stationed in Santa Maria. Moreno noted that aircraft from that era will return to Santa Maria, not as static exhibits but as fully operational flying machines, serving as tributes to the courage, skill, and innovation that define the airport’s history.
During the ceremony, three vintage aircraft, including a P-51 Mustang owned by actor Tom Cruise and featured in the 2022 film Top Gun: Maverick, were positioned on the nearby ramp after landing shortly before the event. Museum leadership has been working on the project for at least three years in preparation for the groundbreaking. Museum President Steve Hinton, who has been involved with Planes of Fame since the age of seven, has longstanding ties to Santa Maria. At 73, he remains active in the aviation community and previously served as a pilot for Walt Disney Pictures’ film The Rocketeer.
“We’re committed to really making a world-class display here,” Hinton said. In addition to the new facility, the museum plans to collaborate with the existing Santa Maria Museum of Flight to support both organizations. If you are interested in contributing funds to Planes of Fame’s Santa Maria project or receiving the latest progress reports, please click HERE.
