With more than 150 air shows scheduled across the 50 states,  Canada, Europe and Australia between February and November, there's ample opportunity to take your family along for the ride.  Metaphorically - and in somes cases--literally! Whether the show is museum based and features displays of the great aircraft of yesteryear, boasts modern aerial acrobatics, or offers chilling races between smoking WWI prop planes, experimental solar-powered ultralights, or hot air balloons, each show guarantees something fun to see.

The largest shows are scheduled over the summer months, but the International Council of Air Shows (703/779-8510) offers a free listing of worldwide venues, dates, and up-to-date contacts so you can find out what to expect, when and where.

The Confederate Air Force (915/563-1000) is one of the largest international volunteer organizations dedicated to preserving WWII warplanes; thus many of these beautifully restored aircraft are the focal point of US airshows. 

You've read about the metaphoric flights, so where are the literal plane rides?  At a few museums, you can actually ride in a restored aircraft, though it doesn't come cheap.

Contact the National Warplane Museum (607/739-8200) in Elmira, NY or Planes of Fame Air Museum (909/597-3722) in Chino, California for more information about a flight through time.