Balls 8 is the aircraft name for a specially modified B-52 that was used by NASA as a mother ship…read more There are planes that are iconic, the Wright Flyer, the 707, the 747, The SR-71 and so on. However none have had as large of an impact on aviation as Balls 8. Balls 8 (a reference to its 008 tailcode) began life as an RB-52B. The RB-52B's were A model B-52's with enhanced reconnaissance capabilities It was turned over to NASA and was modified as a dropship for the revolutionary X-15A. Flying for over 49 years Balls 8 went on to have an illustrious career and served a a drop ship / mothership for many of other programs. Its history can be seen on its right side with painting of almost every drop. Like a mural it tells a story of success and failure. The humor in the men and women who flew and maintained it is evidenced by many of the markings from its nose art to several other misadventures all chronicled on its side. Some of the highlights: (its chronicled in the pics) The alfalfa impact study: a DAST drone deployed its chute before launch and landed in a alfalfa field The F-16 Target Test: During a test where an F-16 was to make a simulated attack, it actually shot at the B-52 with its Vulcan cannon using live rounds :o TFHB: or The Fing hook broke represents the day that the hooks failed on the X-15 pylon. Drops where parachutes failed or the launched vehicle broke up are all represented. Success and failure. all in all it served as dropship for 140 X-15 flights, 17 M2-F2 flights, 37 HL-10 flights, 27 X-24A flights, 41 F-15 RPRV flights, 9 SRB/DTV flights, and 29 F-15/SRV flights.It also carried multiple flights of F-111 Parachute Test Vehicle (PTV), the M2-F3, X-24B, Shuttle Reusable Booster/Drop Test Vehicle (SRB/DTV), Ryan BQM-34 Firebee II, DAST, Highly Maneuverable Aircraft Technology, Pegasus orbital booster, X-38 Crew Return Vehicles, and the X-43A Hyper-X. One mystery mission revolves around 4 very small bat figures. These missions are unknown but I think they were Senior Prom Stealthy Cruise missiles tested in the 80's The airframe itself is highly modified and the right wing sports a notch in it to allow for tall tail fins of some vehicles and several camera blisters to film drops and launches. Balls 8 serves a gate guard for the North Entrance to Edwards AFB and is accessible to the public. There is very little there however, beyond the aircraft. However, those transiting the area can stop and take a quick look.

BEWARE!!! This aircraft display on a federal military base. Signs posted warning you will be…read moresubject to search and seizure. If found to be an uninvited foreign national, your vehicle will be searched and your personal information will be collected and investigated. Drugs that are federally prohibited (marijuana) will be confiscated and federal citations issued.

Are you driving to Las Vegas on the way to California or vice versa? Don't fly by this hidden gem…read moreif you or someone with you is into aircraft! Joe Davies Heritage Airpark is a family-friendly and unique airplane museum located in Palmdale, California. There are fascinating displays of aircraft that show the historical significance of the United States Air Force like never seen before. It is so cool to see these beauties up-close! There is a collection of aircraft flown, tested, designed, produced or modified planes from the United States Air Force. There are 21 retired military aircraft on display that also includes a 1/8 scale model of the B-2 Spirit, an AGM-28 Hound Dog Missile, a B-52, a C-46, and various aircraft components. I read that once complete, they will have over 40 retired military and civilian aircraft in the future. To top it all off, admission to the park is free! If you are interested in a fun afternoon spent with family, friends, or even solo, Joe Davies Heritage Airpark checks all the boxes!

Interesting and educational outdoor aircraft museum. It is well maintained with various walkways…read morewith informational plaques regarding the planes and jets on exhibit. Be sure to check out the gift shop and adjoining Blackbird Airpark next door. Clean restrooms are available. There is also a limited selection of snacks, bottled water, and sodas in the gift shop. Great place to take family for a morning or afternoon outing. Plenty of parking.

Very newly built hotel - as someone who is a clean freak the carpet and the entire room was clean…read moreand brand new - the bathroom was glistening and spotless and the shower was spacious and clean everywhere. Although it is in a more secluded area this hotel is recommended and one of the best hotels i ever been to in America.

The hotel itself was very clean, and looked new which was nice. Breakfast was your typical hotel…read moresetup with a waffle maker, eggs, pastries, cereal. Totally fine and what you would expect. Where things fell short for me was comfort and service. The first night, I requested two extra blankets (one for me and one for my husband) and was told they only had one available. I was given that one, but ended up cold and didn't sleep well. The next day, I asked again and it felt oddly interrogated, like I needed to justify why I wanted a second blanket. It was a weird experience. I promise I was not trying to construct a blanket fort...I just wanted to be warm and sleep comfortably. There was also no blow dryer in the room, which surprised me. After already feeling weird about the blanket situation, It was awkward to go back down and ask for that too. Then early Sunday morning a group was setting up in the meeting room they have directly across from our room. There was loud hallway traffic, people socializing right outside our door, the back door to the hotel propped open and people coming in and out, with equipment being dragged in, which made it pretty impossible to sleep. I understand events happen, but placing guests directly across from early morning setup felt avoidable. Overall, the property was clean, but the stay was not restful, and that is ultimately what I am paying for. I do not think I would choose this location again.

For plane spotting, The SCLA (or in plane speak its simply called Victorville) is one of the more…read moreboth dull and exciting places to visit. The Southern California Logistics Airport is based on the former George Air Force Base which was active from 1941 to 1992. The airport has no commercial passenger service and is designed for business, military, and freight use. International cargo flights can land here as well due to its "foreign trade zone status". It is also home to several aerial firefighting units etc. and runway 17/35 at 15000 feet is the second largest public runway in the US. Following the grounding of 737 MAX's, Southwest elected to park their entire fleet here pending resolution of the software and flight safety issues that resulted in two crashes. What draws plane nuts to Victorville is the boneyard by and large. There is a large variety of mostly large aircraft that are either being stored (the hot dry climate is ideal) or being dismantled. Row after row of once proud airlines are lined up awaiting their fate's. Depending on how hard core you are you can make out the livery of current and often defunct airlines that have moved on. There are a few mysteries like the near new 787 parked and stored for more than a year. I could not get the tail numbers, but it may be an early production model that is too heavy for commercial use. Beyond the allure of seeing the planes there is not much else to do here. That being said, the city of Victorville has plenty of options for gas and eating, but unless there is a specific aviation event or your waiting for a particular plane to arrive, there is not much else going on at SCLA.

Unexpected stop due to wx late at night the day before Thanksgiving. Ramp crew and front desk…read morepersonnel were incredibly helpful. Special thank you to Irene and James. Got a crew car and allowed to bring back 2 days layer with no fees at all after topping off the tanks (14 gallons). Overall, would have gladly paid fees considering the priority of making it home for Thanksgiving but very grateful for the sense priority the personnel placed in simply ensuring they could all help get my father and I home. Upon my return on Friday, the next crew was just as incredibly helpful. Kudos to management for setting up the right culture as the crew certainly emphasized the trickled down mindset of providing the best customer service. Without a doubt will recommend Million Air to friends and colleagues. Lastly, tower was extremely helpful while in the soup in moderate/severe turbulence. The last minute diversion couldn't of gone better after totally knowing tower shifted their entire focus to providing the upmost assistance possible. Thank you all! -Serg

This is only 5 minutes south of the freeway and worth a stop to do the driving tour. Download a map…read morefrom their website, all of the aircraft have informational plaques and there is a small park with interactive displays including a video. There is an F-4, NASA vehicles, so-called models of Space SHip One form Virgin Galactic and a Voyager mockup plus other sights.

If you're traveling through the Mojave, I need a lunch then this restaurant is a must! Great menu,…read moregreat service, great atmosphere. The table next to us had five guys talking about dismantling passenger planes and selling the parts.

This would have been a 4.5 or 5 star stay where it not for the debacle at check-in. I and everyone…read morein the lobby overheard the manager lecturing a customer at loud volume who requested a 30 minute late checkout. Her tone and demeanor were disrespectful and it embarrassed the customer. Some of the reasons there would have been five stars. + Free charging for electric vehicles + Nice pool and hot tub + Reasonably comfortable room + Convenient location walking distance to stores and restaurants + Preprinting The daytime team that was part of the check-in was overall very unprofessional. No reference to any of the hotel amenities when I checked in. No recognition of my elite status.

Booked a room here for a wedding . The room was nice and clean, the only complaint was the sink was…read morestopped up. I didn't make a big deal of it. The complimentary breakfast was less than mid for me but it'll do the job, wish they had orange juice. Dwayne made our stay amazing with his impeccable customer service and attention to detail.

This corporation is hiring illegal Mexican workers who are not properly trained to handle the…read morechemicals that are used on airplanes, the corporation is also using razor blades on the plane to cut the media paper off the plane which if used inproperly will result in a stress fracture on the outer shell of the plane,and while you are in the air you will watch as the plane literally sheds its new paint job. Also this supposedly billion dollar corporation is not paying proper wages to the workers, and not paying raises properly. The BBB has a A+ rating for them but Leading Edge has never properly informed the public of the layoffs that occur during slow times. This corporation is also mishandling their hazardous materials to the extent of having non trained employees in charge of burning the hazmat in the evaporator and not running it throught the proper cleaning stages which have resulted in the burning of dangerous and harmful chemicals into the enviroment. Also the hazardous waste water tanks (6) of them have been full and overflowing into the Victorville Ca sewage system for at least over a year. With the knowledge of this companys illegal and dangerous activities would you knowingly get on an airplane knowing how the paint job was applied and the dangerous steps they have gone to get the job done no matter what the cost is. Boeing, Omega, American Airlines, and United are just a couple of airlines in california that have been doing business with this Billion Dollar corporation. I feel scared and unsafe with the knowledge of this company allowing work done to the plane like that and then with the knowledge of the wrong things done to the plane the managment allows the planes to leave the facility to be put back into commision where we as citizens have to fly on these damaged and unsafe planes. I would not recomend this company to work at or do buisness with.

Very happy with my stay. Stayed overnight in a single king room. The room was spacious, had a…read moremicrowave and fridge, as well as a small sofa. The room as well as the halls/lobby were very clean! Checking in was easy, and staff were very friendly. They informed me that they have security that regularly does rounds around the hotel and the entrances are locked after a certain time. I visited the indoor pool/hot tub which is actually right across the parking lot in the Residence Inn Marriott. Parking is $12 per night. Overall review of the area, this seems to be in the heart of it all. Theres a mall, restaurants, grocery stores. When I visited there was construction happening outside of the lobby entrance but I didn't hear any noise throughout my stay.

I cane here for a quick overnight stay. The customer reps both Annette and Robyn were so…read moreprofessional and friendly soon as we walked in, i felt very welcomed. The room size was nice and clean. The beds were also comfy. The only bad thing was no pool, which it was a hot day, and we had to walk across to the other hotel, which was only steps away. But the pool was very dirty so we did not get to enjoy it, we sdvused our hotel which they were very apologetic, but all in all we had a decent stay being that it was close to the mall and other stores.