To see the impact the Olympic Flight Museum plays in shaping the future aviation careers of the many children every year, one has to look no further than the story of a few teenagers who worked there while they were in high school.

All six started working at the museum about ten years ago, starting out doing basic grounds maintenance. Each eventually worked their way up to working on the museum's artifacts on the flightline and other administrative duties, and all went on to college to study aviation.

Some now work for Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration.

"The biggest gold star for (museum staff) comes 10 years later when they come back and visit," said Teri Thorning, the museum's executive director who oversaw the students during their work tenure. "That's a real gold star for everyone here."

Nestled in a hangar at the Olympia Regional Airport in Olympia, the museum features a wide array of aircraft, helicopter and aviation artifact exhibits. The collection features two different UH-1 Huey helicopters - including one K model that is one of two in the world that are still flying. There is also an HH-43 Huskie, a firefighting and rescue helicopter that was later utilized as a short-range overland search and rescue aircraft during the Vietnam War. The Huskie features an unusual inter-meshing contra-rotating twin-rotor arrangement.

"Ours is the only flying example in the world," Thorning said.

The collection also includes a P-51D Mustang and an A6M2 Tora Zero that was featured in the movie Tora, Tora, Tora.

One of things visitors enjoy the most about the museum is the accessibility they have to all the aircraft on display, said Jeffrey Johnson, a museum staff member.

"They can't believe how close they can get to the aircraft," Johnson said. "The fact that we fly these aircraft is really neat for them - and they can actually see them and get that experience."

That hands-on aspect of the museum also extends into the local community. The museum owns two mobile exhibits, a UH-1 and T-28 Trojan. Both are permanently affixed to flat bed trailers and travel to various community events around the Sound. Last year, the mobile exhibits made visits to 11 off-site events.

"Adults and children can climb inside, touch the buttons, pedals and stick," Thorning said. "That's neat exposure."

But perhaps the greatest benefit to local children is the many events the museum hosts throughout the year. It recently hosted a paper airplane school that taught children the aerodynamics behind paper airplanes, and each November hosts a rocket ship racing event where children purchase a kit and build their own rocket.

"Every year we also welcome Santa via helicopter," Thorning said.  

But there are also activities for adults. The museum will host it's own air show June 18-19, and the third annual Wings and Wheels Car Show, a combination car show/fly in, kicks off Aug. 27.

For more information on the museum, visit www.olympicflightmuseum.com.