FOTPAM SOARS
Welcome to Our Museum in Gilmer Texas at Fox Stephens Field (KJXI)
Read all about Flight of the Phoenix Aviation Museum, Staff and International Advisory Council.
Aviation Education is important to us.
See the various aircraft and artifacts associated with the museum.
Events and Activities at the Museum
Read about those who gave so much so we can have what we do.
Take a flight in a WWII aircraft. Reserve and pay for your flight online!
Feel free to contact us via the internet by phone or email.
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  • Founded in 1990
    A community aviation and education resource...
  • Location and Directions
  • Phone Number:
    (903) 734-5850
  • Hours:
    Weekdays
    9am to 4pm
  • Admission:
    FREE
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"Is this a church or a cathedral?" That is a typical question of visitors when they catch a glimpse of this unique airplane hangar at the Gilmer-Upshur county Airport. The multi-use building not only houses an operations base FOTPAM Museum for Dean Lumber Company's business aircraft, but is also home to the Flight of the Phoenix Aviation Museum. The museum provides local school groups an opportunity to learn more about the diverse roles of aviation in their daily lives. Dean received the Texas Forestry Association Award for Best Design in Wood Buildings for 1997.

From a distance, the 6,000 sq. ft. structure looks like just another airplane hangar, with metal siding and roofing. A closer look reveals a showcase of Southern Pine products. One look inside and visitors notice a rich interior featuring laminated arches, wood roof decking, hand rubbed paneling and decorative molding.

FOTPAM Museum Architect Brent Brevard incorporated the ideas of owners, Steve and Linda Kay Dean, to develop plans for Hangar One and its flight operations center. Unit Structures of Magnolia, Arkansas fabricated the 60-foot span laminated arches using No. 1 2x8 Southern Pine. Anthony Forest Products in El Dorado, Arkansas manufactured additional beams to support the 42-foot hangar door, a beam for the staircase leading to the crew quarters, and a beam for the bar top in the pub.

FOTPAM Museum Overhead, roof decking is Wolmanized No. 1 2x6 Southern Pine, KDAT and patterned with a center-matched V-groove. The result is a decorative ceiling inside, spanning between the massive wooden arches. Treated 6x8 columns provide support for the laminated arches. The wall paneling inside the main hangar is Dricon fire-retardant treated pattern 117 drop-siding.

FOTPAM Museum Inside, 1600 sq. ft. is devoted to living quarters and a flight operations center; both richly appointed using a variety of Southern pine specialty products. Kwik Way of Mt Pleasant, Texas used shop grade material to fabricate the interior doors. High-grade flitches were used for all joinery and millwork. Finishing touches include 1x4 beaded ceiling material overhead and pattern 116 for the crew quarters.

FOTPAM Museum Steve and Linda Kay hope the aviation museum will provide area school Children with a learning laboratory for aviation education. With various displays, they are making a special effort to recognize community leaders who have contributed to Gilmer's heritage through aviation.