Museum Mission

ABOUT THE FLIGHT TEST MUSEUM

Our mission is to preserve, display, and educate the public about the more than 75 years of flight tests, aerospace, and technological developments at Edwards Air Force Base, NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center, Plant 42, and the Aerospace Valley. The Education Center provides educational programming on the principles of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math in flight test and aerospace research to expand knowledge, inspire, and motivate future generations using examples of the advancements in aerospace in our collection.

The inventory of the Flight Test Museum includes over 85 historic test and prototype aircraft. Exhibits inside the museum cover such diverse subjects as the formation of the ancient lake beds, early homesteading in the area, the first military use of Edwards, breaking the sound barrier, and flight test from World War II to the present. Artifacts in the collection include aircraft propulsion systems, missiles, hardware, life support equipment, technical drawings, test reports, personal memorabilia, photographs, and wind tunnel models.

George B. Welsh
Director, Air Force Flight Test Museum
412 TW/MU

George Welsh is the Director for the Air Force Flight Test Museum located on Edwards AFB, California and a Life Patron of the Flight Test Historical Foundation. A native of San Diego, California, George came to the Flight Test Museum in 2011 from the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum, located on MCAS Miramar, where he had worked as an aviation archivist and historian since 2009. Prior to his ‘hitch’ with the Marines, George, and his wife Michelle, had published an aviation history magazine titled “Bomber Legends”, dedicated to the memories of all bomber aircraft veterans from World War II, but in particular the B-24 Liberator. George is an Air Force veteran and served in both US Air Forces Europe and Strategic Air Command. In 1981, he began volunteering at the San Diego Air & Space Museum while attending college on the G.I. Bill. He was soon asked to join the staff and remained there for the next fifteen years working in several areas of the museum including archival, curatorial, education and aircraft restoration. George was also an Aerospace Instructor with the San Diego Community College District. George and Michelle have one son and reside in Tehachapi, California.

Todd Amon
Restoration Curator

A lifelong passion for aviation that took flight in 1981 at aviation maintenance school, Todd’s journey has been one of service and expertise. After honing his skills as an Aviation Maintenance Technician in the USAF, he transitioned into civilian maintenance roles, bringing his wealth of experience to the forefront. From the bustling flightline to the meticulous care of museum exhibits, Todd’s career has been marked by a commitment to excellence. His tenure with the Functional Check Flight section and as a Senior Mechanic at March AFB equipped him with invaluable knowledge, while his involvement in programs like (ACE) Accelerated Co-Pilot Enrichment, highlighted his dedication to fostering the next generation of aviators.

Todd’s contributions extend beyond the active hangars and runways. While a volunteer at the fledgling museum on the March AFB flightline, he played a pivotal role in preserving aviation history. From iconic aircraft like the B-17 to cinematic treasures like the “Val” bomber from ‘Tora, Tora, Tora’, to the de-mil process of SR-71 #7975. Todd’s hands-on experience spans generations of aviation marvels. Now, as part of the Flight Test Museum team, Todd continues to share his passion for flight with visitors from around the world. As restoration curator, Todd is responsible for overseeing and maintaining a collection of 90+ historical aircraft that include three Blackbirds and an F-117.

Join Todd on a journey through the history of skies over Edwards and discover the rich tapestry that is the Flight Test Museum.

“History is not simply the study of the past, but an explanation of the present”

Renee Marchiano
Museum Specialist

Renee Marchiano, a Museum Specialist at the Air Force Flight Test Museum, is responsible for the processing of incoming donations, coordinating with volunteers on various museum projects, and provides additional museum support through various outreach events, including historical/educational tours. Prior to her civilian Air Force service, Renee spent nearly 7 years as a contractor at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center, where she served in a wide-range of duties across a range of support offices. Her love and her passion were discovered when she joined the NASA Armstrong Research Library and played a large role in a historical digitization project. Renee has an Associate of Arts degree in Marketing/Management and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Management.