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Niagara Aerospace Museum

Preserving Western New York's Aviation and Aerospace History

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In Memoriam: Nelson Faso

An image of Nelson Faso
Nelson Faso

We lost a long-time friend and volunteer, Nelson Faso. Nelson played a significant role in the restoration of many of the aircraft in the Niagara Aerospace Museum through his work with the Western New York Vintage Aircraft Group.  He had a long career in maintenance with American Airlines, rising to senior positions at both Buffalo and Los Angeles.  Nelson was inducted into the Niagara Frontier Aviation and Space Hall of Fame in 2009, having been nominated by Hugh Neeson.

If you visit the museum, you will see aircraft Nelson helped restore, including the Curtiss Jenny, the Cunningham-Hall GA-36, Bell P-39 Airacobra, Bell X-22, and the Bell Model 47 helicopter. Nelson was first introduced to our Bell Model 47 when he was a teenager at Burgard Vocational School. It was donated by Larry Bell to the school to train mechanics to support the fleet of helicopters entering the market.  Nelson worked on that same helicopter again after his retirement when he helped restore it.

An image of Nelson Faso giving a tour to visitors
An image of Nelson Faso looking on as Jim Birke works on an airplane
An image of Nelson Faso in front of the Bell 47 helicopter he worked on in high school and after retirement.

Here are some of Nelson’s aviation-related volunteer service in the restoration of important historical Western New York and other aircraft:

  • Amherst Museum restoration of Cunningham Hall G-35, now in collection of Niagara Aerospace Museum.
  • Bell Helicopter (NC 3H) restoration for Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society, now housed at the Niagara Aerospace Museum.
  • Canadian Warplane Heritage Lysander restoration project.
  • Niagara Frontier Vintage aircraft group’s restoration of the Fleet biplane, now housed at the Niagara Aerospace Museum.
  • Team Leader of the Niagara Aerospace Museum’s Curtiss JN-4 “Jenny” restoration project.

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Niagara Aerospace Museum

Niagara Falls International Airport
9990 Porter Road
Niagara Falls, New York 14304
(716)297-1323

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Saturday & Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Closed Monday-Friday/Holidays (more info)

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Our Corporate Sponsors Make it Possible

Thank you to Niagara Aerospace Museum corporate sponsor Moog
Thank you to our corporate sponsor Calspan
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Thank you Niagara Aerospace Museum corporate sponsor Community Fund for Greater Buffalo

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Hours & Admission

Sat & Sun 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Closed Mon-Fri/Holidays

Adults: $10:00
Seniors: $5:00
Military: $5.00
Ages 5 to 20: $5.00
Under 5: Free
Members: Free
ADA Caregiver: Free
*Admission fee is waived for a caregiver assisting a patron with disabilities
Niagara Aerospace Museum logo
Niagara Aerospace Museum
9990 Porter Road
Niagara Falls International Airport
Niagara Falls NY 14304
716-297-1323
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