In the Beginning
The museum at the airport tells aviation-related stories through exhibits located throughout the premises. If you have a few minutes to spare between flights or before picking up friends and family, be sure to check it out! Aviation first came to Las Vegas in 1920 when Randall Henderson landed a borrowed Curtis JN-4 “Jenny” here on May 7.
The Namesake
The museum is appropriately named for Nevada’s U. S. Senator Howard W. Cannon, who served four terms in the Senate from 1958 until 1982. Among his accomplishments was the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, which led to a 100% increase of commercial traffic into what is now Harry Reid International Airport between 1978 and 1980, and helped give shape to the commercial airline industry as we know it today.
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The World Endurance Flight
The only aircraft on display at the museum is a 1958 Cessna 172 that set the World Endurance Aloft flying record in 1959. Robert Timm and John Cook remained airborne for 64 days, 22 hours, 19 minutes and 5 seconds without touching ground; a achievement that has yet to be matched. The flight was sponsored by the Hacienda Hotel and Casino as a fundraiser for cancer research through the Damon Runyon Cancer Fund. Today, visitors can find see the plane hanging from Terminal 1’s baggage claim area.
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The Red Thunderbird
The red 1956 Ford Thunderbird at Terminal 1, near the main exhibit area and Cessna, is part of the museum’s collection. It has been restored to look like George Crockett’s Alamo Aviation from 1957 until 1968.
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The Exhibit Locations
The museum is located in several of the airports throughout Clark County. The main exhibit is located on Level 2 above Baggage Claim in Terminal 1 at LAS. With approximately 3,000 square feet of exhibits detailing the rich aviation history of Southern Nevada, other exhibits are also located in gate areas, along the moving walkway to the C gates, in between Concourses B and C–even at Henderson Executive and North Las Vegas airports!
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Museum Administration
The Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum is open 24/7 all year long and can be visited by anyone, regardless of their flight status. It is one of the most frequently visited museums in Nevada and tells the story of aviation’s impact in southern Nevada through captivating exhibits. For more information, contact the museum administrator at: (702) 455-7955