CAVALCADE OF WINGS
Overview
Cavalcade of Wings is a 501(3)(c) nonprofit that has been documenting and displaying the aviation history for the Albuquerque Sunport, Kirtland Air Force Base, and the State of New Mexico since 1965. The aviation museum at the Albuquerque Sunport began with one display case and 25 models in 1965 and now contains over 900 commercial, military, and private aircraft models in 18 display cases. Along with aircraft models, Cavalcade of Wings collects and displays aviation insignia, photos, and artifacts to help tell this incredible aviation story of New Mexico.
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Latest News
New Location
The Albuquerque Sunport plans to relocate the Cavalcade of Wings Aviation History Museum to accommodate the ongoing “Dream of Flight” construction project. Here are the architect’s renderings of the proposed design solution showing new display cases located in the Great Hall underneath the existing Ingram-Foster Biplane display.
The Sunport’s proposed Cavalcade of Wings
aviation museum conceptual design.
900+ Models
Located in the Albuquerque Sunport Terminal’s “Great Hall”, the Cavalcade of Wings aviation museum has on display over 900 scale commercial, military, and private aircraft models. From the first balloon flight in 1882, the first airplane to visit the state in 1911, the first military use of airplanes for a campaign in 1916, the first commercial airplane service to Albuquerque in 1929, to the commercial and military aircraft flying into New Mexico today are on display.
NM Airfields' History
Cavalcade of Wings has collected and preserved the legacy of every civilian and military airfield across the entire State of New Mexico. From all active airports and military bases to the exciting histories of airports and bases that no longer exist. Along with the airfield histories, the stories of the many local and national personalities that helped create the rich history of New Mexico’s aviation past are documented.
Media Collections
Cavalcade of Wings has collected a diverse set of artifacts to help preserve the aviation history of New Mexico. From the expansive photo collection to a wide range of documents, letters, and insignia, these artifacts tell a compelling story of the colorful events that has defined New Mexico’s aviation history.
Our Museum is open 24/7
The Cavalcade of Wings aviation history museum is a tribute to the pioneers of flight and the celebration of the continuing evolution of aviation technology. The museum highlights the excitement and wonder that people have felt about flight since the earliest days of aviation, and the enduring fascination that airplanes continue to inspire in people of all ages today. All of that history has been combined with the contributions of the State of New Mexico to show our place in aviation history.
“I’m not bound to be in aviation at all. I’m here only because I love the sky and flying more than anything else on earth. Of course there’s danger; but a certain amount of danger is essential to the quality of life. I don’t believe in taking foolish chances’ but nothing can be accomplished without taking any chance at all” ~ Charles Lindbergh
History Since
Aircraft Models
HOURS A DAY – THE MUSEUM IS OPEN
Featured Models
a Sample of Our Models
USAF BOEING B-47B STRATOJET
TWA BOEING 307 STRATOLINER
WESTERN AIR EXPRESS FOKKER F-10
Learn about the Fokker F-10 Tri-Motor, it was the first scheduled commercial airline service to Albuquerque.
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This view of the EAA Ford Tri-Motor shows the three Pratt and Whitney R985 engines that power the aircraft. Although the aircraft can accomodate twelve passengers, it could only take off with seven at Santa Fe due to the very high elevation of the airport, 6348 feet above sea level.
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This view of the EAA Ford Tri-Motor shows the three Pratt and Whitney R985 engines that power the aircraft. Although the aircraft can accomodate twelve passengers, it could only take off with seven at Santa Fe due to the very high elevation of the airport, 6348 feet above sea level.
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This Ford F-5AT Tri-Motor, NC8407, operated by the Experimental Aircraft Association, or EAA, was on display at the Santa Fe Regional Airport September 14-17, 2023. The aircraft has the markings of Eastern Air Transport which was one of the pioneer air carriers of the Unted States nearly 100 years ago.
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This Ford F-5AT Tri-Motor, NC8407, operated by the Experimental Aircraft Association, or EAA, was on display at the Santa Fe Regional Airport September 14-17, 2023. The aircraft has the markings of Eastern Air Transport which was one of the pioneer air carriers of the Unted States nearly 100 years ago.
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Cavalcade of Wings will be participating in the EAA Chapter 179’s annual “Land of Enchantment Fly-In” September 23, 2023 as an exhibitor. The theme of this year’s display will be “Airline Deregulation and the Albuquerque Sunport”, showcasing the airline’s that came and went during the 1980’s.
If any local plane spotters are attending, please stop by the table to say hello.
#cavalcadeofwings
Cavalcade of Wings will be participating in the EAA Chapter 179’s annual “Land of Enchantment Fly-In” September 23, 2023 as an exhibitor. The theme of this year’s display will be “Airline Deregulation and the Albuquerque Sunport”, showcasing the airline’s that came and went during the 1980’s.
If any local plane spotters are attending, please stop by the table to say hello.
#cavalcadeofwings
Alaska Airlines also occasionally flies the Boeing 737-9 Max into the Albuquerque Sunport. This aircraft, N979AK landed at ABQ on September 6, 2023 for a planned fuel stop while on a flight between Dallas Love Field and Seattle. Fuel stops are very uncommon today and this one was necessary due to extreme heat in the Dallas area which causes aircraft takeoff performance to be greatly reduced.
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Alaska Airlines also occasionally flies the Boeing 737-9 Max into the Albuquerque Sunport. This aircraft, N979AK landed at ABQ on September 6, 2023 for a planned fuel stop while on a flight between Dallas Love Field and Seattle. Fuel stops are very uncommon today and this one was necessary due to extreme heat in the Dallas area which causes aircraft takeoff performance to be greatly reduced.
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And the largest version, the Boeing 737-900ER, is seen here as N285AK taxis to the gate at the Albuquerque Sunport on June 11, 2023. The "ER" is noted for "Extended Range" and Alaska primarily flies the -900ER on their route from ABQ to Seattle today. Alaska also began service to Portland, Oregon in 2017 but primarily uses Embraer 175 regional jets on those flights.
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And the largest version, the Boeing 737-900ER, is seen here as N285AK taxis to the gate at the Albuquerque Sunport on June 11, 2023. The "ER" is noted for "Extended Range" and Alaska primarily flies the -900ER on their route from ABQ to Seattle today. Alaska also began service to Portland, Oregon in 2017 but primarily uses Embraer 175 regional jets on those flights.
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The next larger version of the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 is the -800 model. N577AS is seen taxiing back to the gate after landing on runway 21 at the Albuquerque Sunport on July 23, 2023.
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The next larger version of the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 is the -800 model. N577AS is seen taxiing back to the gate after landing on runway 21 at the Albuquerque Sunport on July 23, 2023.
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Alaska Airlines began service to the Albuquerque Sunport with a daily flight to Seattle on September 18, 2014, nine years ago today. Alaska flies several versions of the Boeing 737, the smallest of which is the -700 model as seen here when aircraft N619AS landed at ABQ on April 14, 2022.
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Alaska Airlines began service to the Albuquerque Sunport with a daily flight to Seattle on September 18, 2014, nine years ago today. Alaska flies several versions of the Boeing 737, the smallest of which is the -700 model as seen here when aircraft N619AS landed at ABQ on April 14, 2022.
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This JetBlue Airbus A320, N627JB, made a rare daylight appearance at the Albuquerque Sunport on September 6, 2023. The scheduled flight to New York JFK at midnight was cancelled the night before and this aircraft was ferried in from Los Angeles to take the passengers onto JFK.
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This JetBlue Airbus A320, N627JB, made a rare daylight appearance at the Albuquerque Sunport on September 6, 2023. The scheduled flight to New York JFK at midnight was cancelled the night before and this aircraft was ferried in from Los Angeles to take the passengers onto JFK.
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The Civil Air Patrol also operates several other aircraft types including this Gippsland GA-8, N614CP, which was photographed inside a hanger on Kirtland AFB, New Mexico on December 7, 2018.
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The Civil Air Patrol also operates several other aircraft types including this Gippsland GA-8, N614CP, which was photographed inside a hanger on Kirtland AFB, New Mexico on December 7, 2018.
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The Civil Air Patrol operates a large fleet of Cessna 172`s including this model 172P Skyhawk, N98456, which was captured at the Taos Regional Airport on July 27, 2023.
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The Civil Air Patrol operates a large fleet of Cessna 172`s including this model 172P Skyhawk, N98456, which was captured at the Taos Regional Airport on July 27, 2023.
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This Alaska Horizon Embraer 175, N630QX, is seen taxiing to runway 03 at the Albuquerque Sunport on April 9, 2018. Alaska Horizon will return service to ABQ today, September 6, 2023, with a flight to Portland, Oregon after an 18 month hiatus.
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This Alaska Horizon Embraer 175, N630QX, is seen taxiing to runway 03 at the Albuquerque Sunport on April 9, 2018. Alaska Horizon will return service to ABQ today, September 6, 2023, with a flight to Portland, Oregon after an 18 month hiatus.
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This Southwest Boeing 737-700 N946WN is dedicated to the State of Louisiana and is named "Louisiana One". The aircraft is seen over the numbers of runway 08 while landing at the Albuquerque Sunport on September 5, 2023. The banner painted on the fuselage reads "Union Justice Confidence" as it does on the state flag. The bird nests on the engines are an added feature to the aircraft livery.
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This Southwest Boeing 737-700 N946WN is dedicated to the State of Louisiana and is named "Louisiana One". The aircraft is seen over the numbers of runway 08 while landing at the Albuquerque Sunport on September 5, 2023. The banner painted on the fuselage reads "Union Justice Confidence" as it does on the state flag. The bird nests on the engines are an added feature to the aircraft livery.
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This Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 N8619F carries the livery of the Illinois state flag and the name "Illinois One". It is seen while landing on runway 03 at the Albuquerque Sunport on August 29, 2023 with full flaps down and thrust reversers deployed.
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This Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 N8619F carries the livery of the Illinois state flag and the name "Illinois One". It is seen while landing on runway 03 at the Albuquerque Sunport on August 29, 2023 with full flaps down and thrust reversers deployed.
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Also observed on August 30, 2023 was this Guardian Air Pilatus PC-12 air ambulance, N62GA, taxiing to runway 08 at the Albuquerque Sunport for a flight to Show Low, Arizona. The aircraft had previously flown in from Show Low, Flagstaff, and Window Rock, Arizona earlier that day.
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Also observed on August 30, 2023 was this Guardian Air Pilatus PC-12 air ambulance, N62GA, taxiing to runway 08 at the Albuquerque Sunport for a flight to Show Low, Arizona. The aircraft had previously flown in from Show Low, Flagstaff, and Window Rock, Arizona earlier that day.
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The second firefighting tanker, C-GQBK, Tanker 247, landed at the Albuquerque Sunport about ten minutes later. Both tankers have decals near the back stating "County of Los Angeles, California" and "Fire Department". This was the same type of aircraft used in June, 2022 to scoop water from Heron Lake in northern New Mexico to battle the Calf Canyon/Hermit’s Peak fire in that area.
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The second firefighting tanker, C-GQBK, Tanker 247, landed at the Albuquerque Sunport about ten minutes later. Both tankers have decals near the back stating "County of Los Angeles, California" and "Fire Department". This was the same type of aircraft used in June, 2022 to scoop water from Heron Lake in northern New Mexico to battle the Calf Canyon/Hermit’s Peak fire in that area.
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On August 30, 2023, two Canadair CL-415 firefighting Super Scoopers operated by the Government of Quebec, Canada landed at the Albuquerque Sunport while on a trek from Quebec City, Quebec to Van Nuys, California. The first, seen here, is C-GQBI, Tanker 246. Their journey started on August 29 and stops were also made at Saginaw, Michigan and Wichita, Kansas.
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On August 30, 2023, two Canadair CL-415 firefighting Super Scoopers operated by the Government of Quebec, Canada landed at the Albuquerque Sunport while on a trek from Quebec City, Quebec to Van Nuys, California. The first, seen here, is C-GQBI, Tanker 246. Their journey started on August 29 and stops were also made at Saginaw, Michigan and Wichita, Kansas.
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