It is certainly incentive to get your car up and running as it is quite an experience to park your car next to or under a classic airplane for that once-in-a-lifetime photo. As for what happens after 9AM, that is tentative. Last time F.I.A.T. was able to do this event we were treated with a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into part of the collection and also provided with a gratis pass to see the static displays that are indoors which include a full-scale model of the Wright Flyer and a real SR-71 Blackbird along with a many other cool planes.
I cannot guarantee that would happen again this time. I have inquired as to whether or not we can get that privilege again and am awaiting an answer - again, NO guarantees. However, regular admission is between $9-$16 depending on age and there is a discount for senior/military/veterans. We are planning to grab an early lunch at a nearby burger & beer place that is shabby chic in nature but is really pretty good (11:30/noon-ish) and it is close to I-10.
The day's event is just the photo shoot from 7-9AM. The rest is being played by ear depending on what happens and who can stay around or if they have to leave by a certain time. I myself have to return home by 2PM for another engagement.
There is a lot to do in and around Tucson, so don't feel that the PA&SM is the
only thing to do that day. Check out the Titan Missile Museum (a decommissioned ICBM in static display "in the launch tube" - neat to see), Mission San Xavier del Bac, Wildlife Museum, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Miniatures Museum (great if you like tiny models), Tohono Chul Park, Tucson Botanical Gardens, Mt Lemmon Highway (AWESOME in a Spider!); Kitt Peak Observatory (AWESOME in a Spider!) -- just to name a few things to do. Then there is food. It is way to easy to eat yourself stupid here. Tucson is the nation's first UNESCO-designated "World City of Gastronomy." Plenty of food ranging from great food trucks to high-end dining. Downtown is small but thriving.
(klweimer - see what you get to look forward too?!)
If you are thinking of coming down from PHX, consider a return trip up AZ-77 to AZ-79 (Oro Valley - Florence - Apache Junction). It is a nice cruise and beats I-10 for scenery.
We have someone driving in from San Diego for this event - and they did so back in 2015, too. I guess they didn't get enough pictures of their car among the planes the first time.
