Whilst visiting the Sunshine Coast, take a tour to the famous Queensland Air Museum to see its unique collection.
If you visit during July, make sure to come to the Open Cockpit weekend, where you can sit inside many of the historic planes within the museum.
Open Cockpit Weekend 2022, Engines, Prices, QAM Caloundra, Qld
- Engine runs
- Family entertainment and activities
- BBQ, Sausage sizzle, and drinks, provided by Vietnam Vets and Rotary Club of Caloundra Pacific
- Oceanview Helicopters – Book flights and fly on the day (subject to capacity and weather conditions)
- Special on-the-day shop offers, models, and posters
- Fire Pit Raffle
- Defence Force Recruitment Australia
- Limited number of book signing – QAM Volunteer and Historian Ian Campbell will be signing copies of his book
‘Thinks He’s a Bird’ – a truly inspiring story - Aircraft Carrier Operations presentation
Please note cockpit and seat access to a small number of aircraft may not be practical for safety reasons. This program may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances
With many interactive displays, exhibits and aircraft machinery, this fantastic museum has an extensive range of aircraft memorabilia from the 20th century and beyond. Come for a tour of the museum, where you will be treated to many historic aircraft, helicopters, gliders, machinery, artefacts, photographs and books.
The museum’s aircraft collection comprises a large variety of aircraft types representing many aspects of aviation, including military aircraft from the RAAF, RAN, Australian Army and RAF, passenger aircraft from Ansett Airlines, Queensland Airlines and Airlines of Tasmania. There is also a range of agricultural aircraft, training aircraft and helicopters.
The museum collection also has many displays which delve into the rich aviation history of Australia. Many exhibits are on display, including Charles Kingsford Smith, Women in Aviation, Pathfinder Force, Korean War, Vietnam War, British Pacific Commonwealth Airlines, Ansett Airlines, Qantas Airways, Calair, The Flight Data Recorder and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
So come and check out the Queensland Air Museum on your next trip to the Sunshine Coast!
Hi, will there be any joy flights in planes or helicopters available to purchase?
Hi Carla,
No, I don’t believe that flights will be offered on the day. The Open Cockpit weekend is mainly about demonstrating historic / unique planes and artefacts for visitors to enjoy.
If you are looking for a joy flight on the Sunshine Coast, you can check out a great range of tours here.
Have a wonderful time on the Sunshine Coast!
Jess
Will there be air craft flying over
Hi John,
No, the Open Cockpit Weekend isn’t an airshow with aircraft flying overhead. But you can visit the aircraft on site and engines will be turned on a 11am and 1pm.
Kind regards,
Jess
Hello, i can’t find any information about engine runs but the event schedule says engine runs at 11:00am and 1:30 pm is this correct??
Hi Brad,
As stated on our site as well as the official website for the Queensland Air Museum, the engine runs will be at 11am and 1pm.
Kind regards,
Jess
My dad is 88 and can only walk 20 paces at a time before his leg muscles seize up. He is great at riding a mobility scooter. Is there any way he could get around the exhibits at the QAM in Caloundra?
Hi Lindy,
Many of the exhibits for the Open Cockpit Weekend are located outdoors, therefore a mobility scooter that can handle grass would be fine for that part.
The rest of the museum is located all on one level with flat concrete flooring through most of the exhibits. There is ample space to navigate through most parts of the museum with a mobility scooter.
If you need further info, you can contact the QAM directly on (07) 5492 5930.
Have a great time at the Open Cockpit Weekend!
Kind regards,
Jess
On Open Cockpit weekend, are there any flying displays or are there only static exhibits?
Hi Selwyn,
There will not be any flying displays at this event. The Open Cockpit Weekend is not an “air show” type event, but rather an opportunity for visitors to get inside some of the planes kept at the museum.
Best regards,
Jess
Does anyone know if there is another open cockpit weekend to be held in the near future? I really wanted to take my young fella there but was unable due to work commitments. And info is appreciated thanks.
Hi Jason,
Unfortunately, the Open Cockpit Weekend only runs once a year.
However the Queensland Air Museum is open daily from 10am – 4pm (Except Christmas Day), so you are able to visit at other times during the year if you wish to view the planes.
Regards,
Jess
I know it says that it is over the weekend. Any chance it may get extended until Monday? We are in the area from Monday and I would love the chance to sit in a F111
Hi Cath,
Unfortunately, the event will not run on Monday. But you can still visit the Queensland Air Museum on Monday to view these beautiful planes between 10am-4pm.
Regards,
Jess
Are dogs on leash allowed to attend in the outdoors sections?
Hi Michelle,
Great question. Unfortunately I cannot find the answer online, so I suggest you contact the Queensland Air Museum who are running the event. You can get them on email: [email protected] or by phone on (07) 54925930.
Regards,
Jess
Hi, is there any difference in day 1 and day 2? If so what please. Also what is the benefit (if any) of booking before the day. Finally roughly how many people turn up at 11 am?
Hi John,
There is no difference between the days. The benefit of booking online in advance is avoiding a long ticket queue if there are lots of people attending. I cannot possibly predict how many people will arrive at 11am, previous years have been busy so I would advise getting in early.
Best regards,
Jess
Could you tell me how many planes you will be able to sit in the cockpit and also if children 6 and 4 are able to sit in the cockpit. Thank you.
Hi Lorna,
I am unable to say how many cockpits will be open exactly, but the organisers have stated that you can sit in: F-111, Wessex, DC3, Starship, Fokker F27 Friendship and heaps of other aircraft. This is a family event, so children are welcome to check out the cockpits as well.
Enjoy your day at the Open Cockpit Weekend!
Regards,
Jess