Memberships

Memberships are the life blood of the Museum. The Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum uses the membership fund to directly finance the operation of our operating collection. Funds are used to buy oil, tires, gas, insurance and many other necessities that are required to keep this collection operating.

Members of the museum will enjoy the benefit of visiting the museum when ever they please during operating hours with out an admittance fee. Members are also allowed "Behind the Scenes" in our warm up area to watch aircraft go through a pre-flight, and run up before flight.  We believe more than anything else our members enjoy the fact they have done a part in supporting this worthy foundation. We hope all may take advantage of becoming a Member of the WAAAM Family and help us keep the history of transportation alive and well.

Solo- $50.00 - One Individual Membership.

Family- $100.00- Family Memberships consist of  two Adults                                    and Children and / or Grandchildren up to 20                                years old.
Membership +1-$120.00- One Individual Membership plus 1                                                 guest.
Memberships +2 -$150.00- Two Individual Memberships plus 2                                                 guests.

WAAAM Annual Membership Benefits:
~Unlimited free access to the museum during operating hours.
~Invitations to “Members-Only” Events.
~10% discount on Museum store purchases.
~Access to “Members-Only” area outside museum for pre-flight
  operations.
~Emails on special events and happenings at the museum.
~Opportunity to become a Museum Volunteer.

Terry R. Brandt - Museum President & Founder

Terry was born in Yuba City, California. His father, Richard “Dick” W. Brandt was born in Cottage Grove, Oregon. Dick and his wife Bee ran the FBO in Marysville, California from 1946 to 1959. Dick had a very keen interest in aircraft. He loved to make something better than when it was stock. Besides running the flight school and FBO the family business was building crop dusters. He built between 200 and 300 dusters out of Stearmans and Travel Aires. He installed the Lycoming 300 later turning to the Pratt & Whitney 985 and later the big 600. Dick was particularly proud of a Stearman he built up to do 200mph straight and level flight.  With custom tucked cowls, 450 Pratt, spring leaf gear and a canopy he was able to achieve this. This Stearman could pull away from any Bonanza of its time, making many pilots a little envious and frustrated. Dick lost the majority of his aircraft in a disastrous hangar fire, and sold off the remaining aircraft to make ends meet.

Dick also loved playing with gliders and soaring. George Moffat and Dick together were the first to use a winglet on a glider, proving it to be a very successful addition. Many airliners today use winglets.

Dick never much cared for antique aircraft. He told his son Terry, “They were junk when they were new! Why do you even want to mess with those things?” Terry grew up in the perfect environment to follow his passion, flying. Terry learned to fly when he was 12 years old and bought his first airplane at the age of 19, a 1938 J-3 Cub. Terry started collecting antique aircraft from that time on.

On April 1st 1961 Terry and his Father started OMC, Orchard Machinery Corporation in Yuba City, California. With their manufacturing and business skills they were able to make this company a success. OMC today continues to build tree shakers and catchers that help speed up harvesting.

Over the last 50 years Terry has continued to collect antique aircraft and memorabilia. In 2006 he decided he would have to make one of two choices, either have a large auction or find a way to ensure the collection would survive by building a museum.  The Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum was established June 30th 2006. Terry’s collection will now survive together giving the public the opportunity to not only see this amazing group of aircraft first hand, but to also witness from time to time these aircraft in action. Terry hopes that others who have antique aircraft they wish to be perserved will find this museum a safe haven for their aircraft to be admired and flown.

Terry currently resides in Hood River, Oregon with his wife Lois. They enjoy spending time in their cabin near Nimpo Lake, BC. Lois also has a pilot's license and enjoys flying. She is very supportive of Terry and the Museum. Terry is Chairman of the Board for the Museum Board of Directors as well as acting President of WAAAM.

Thomas L. Murphy - Director of Restorations

Tom was born in San Bernardino, California to William and Ruth Murphy. During his early childhood he enjoyed building balsa wood model airplanes. At the age of 13 his interest in airplanes began to focus on full scale aircraft. Much of his time was spent on the local airport in Lodi California pumping gas in exchange for flying lessons. He quickly learned to fly in a J-3 Cub. Tom’s passion for aircraft continues. He has restored many antique aircraft. He is also an accomplished pilot with a single engine land,  sea, glider and commercial ratings. 

Tom is well known for the re-enactment of the first Interstate Air Mail flight from Portland, Oregon to Vancouver, Washington. Using the same Curtiss Pusher he also re-enacted Silas Christofferson’s 1912 flight from the roof of the Multnomah Hotel in Portland, Oregon in 1995 as a fundraising event for the Pearson Air Museum in Vancouver, Washington.

Tom is the Director of Restorations for the Wesern Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum. He resides in Hood River, Oregon with his wife Joyce.

Jeremy J. Young - Museum Director

Jeremy Young was born in Mesa, Arizona to Leonard and Virginia Young. He was raised in Prescott, Arizona and is the oldest of 5 siblings. Jeremy is the Grandson of John & Louise Thurmond. His Grandparents were very well known and respected as some of the few expert antique aircraft restorers of their time. He spent much of his childhood around his grandparents and their airplanes. The love of flying antiques was planted at a young age. Jeremy learned to fly in his grandparent's J-3 Cub. Jeremy currently is restoring two of his grandparent's 1931 Wacos, a INF and a QCF-2. The J-3 Cub he learned to fly in is still in the family. He has been placed in charge of taking care of his grandparent's cherished antique aircraft and memorabilia.

Jeremy currently resides in Hood River, Oregon with his wife Kara and two sons Kalvin James & Kody Kinner . He is the Director & Curator of the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum.