Open Cockpits: Direct Access to Collections
Open Cockpits events were developed to give visitors something they consistently asked for - the chance to step inside historic aircraft and experience them from the inside out.
© The Royal Air Force Museum
The challenge
While the RAF Museum holds an extraordinary aircraft collection, access is often limited by safety and operational constraints.
The challenge was to:
Enable closer public access without compromising safety or preservation
Create an experience that worked at scale for busy public days
Ensure delivery was operationally realistic and low risk
Design something repeatable, not dependent on one-off effort
The approach
I set the strategic direction for Open Cockpits as a collection-led experience.
Under my leadership, the team:
Identified aircraft suitable for controlled public access
Worked closely with conservation, safety, and operations teams
Developed clear protocols for access, supervision, and visitor flow
The solution
Open Cockpits events invited visitors to step inside selected aircraft, supported by trained staff and volunteers who could provide context and answer questions.
The experience was designed to be:
Accessible and intuitive for a wide public audience
Rooted in the collection rather than additional interpretation layers
Flexible enough to operate alongside normal museum activity
By focusing on direct access and conversation, the events created moments of genuine connection between visitors and the aircraft.
The impact
Strong and consistent visitor demand
Increased engagement with the RAF Museum’s aircraft collection
A scalable, repeatable format that could be delivered across multiple sites
Strengthened relationships between curatorial, operational, and commercial teams
Solutions & Results
Working together
I support museums through museum consultancy, events consultancy, and business coaching, helping leaders and teams design access-led experiences that are safe, sustainable, and deeply engaging.
If you’re looking to open up your collections in ways that audiences value - without adding unnecessary complexity - you’re welcome to book a discovery call.