Thanks to the generous support of Cook & Krupa, LLC, guest Alizon Martinez attended the 2024 Cradle of Aviation Museum Air & Space Gala—an evening that celebrates innovation and leadership in aviation. There, she met Ethan Bassis, a Farmingdale aviation student who had saved up his own money to attend. Her story is a reminder of how mentorship, opportunity, and community continue to shape the future of aerospace.

A recent guest blog post spotlights the Cradle of Aviation Museum’s F-14A Tomcat BuNo 157982, the oldest surviving Tomcat in existence and a rare preproduction prototype. Built at Grumman’s Calverton facility, it first flew in December 1971 and was later used in extreme structural and flight tests—including asymmetric wing trials—that helped prove the aircraft’s durability. Today, it stands out in Hangar 2 as a one-of-a-kind piece of Long Island aerospace history.

A recent blog feature highlights a visit to the Cradle of Aviation Museum, tracing its location on the historic grounds of Mitchel Air Force Base and its role in telling the story of Long Island’s aerospace history. From the iconic F-14 Tomcat “Felix 101” at the entrance to the suspended Blue Angels F-11 Tiger, rare early aircraft, and immersive exhibits, the article captures how the museum preserves aviation milestones tied to Long Island’s legacy.