On the 13th anniversary of the “Miracle on the Hudson” flight Jan. 15, 2022, officials with the Carolinas Aviation Museum (CAM) have revealed the museum will be renamed in honor of Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger III, who together with the crew of US Airways Flight 1549, heroically landed the plane in the Hudson River and saved all lives on board.
The official name of the museum will be revealed later this year, officials added.
Upon reopening in 2023 in Charlotte Douglas International Airport’s historic WPA/Douglas Airport Hangar, the museum will also become home to a permanent exhibit honoring the captain and crew of the flight, including the “Miracle on the Hudson” airplane, which previously attracted more than 74,000 visitors to the museum annually.
“I am forever indebted to Captain Sully and the crew of US Airways Flight 1549 for my second chance at life, and, for 13 years, I have been determined to find a way to honor them,” said Red Ventures CEO and crash survivor Ric Elias, who donated $1 million toward the museum’s re-opening, alongside a $500,000 donation from Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures brand. “Heroes are made long before the day they are called to action. This museum will serve as an enduring tribute to the preparation, courage, and dedication of the captain and the entire crew.”
This gift brings funding for CAM’s Lift-Off Campaign to more than $11 million, nearly halfway to its goal of $25 million.
The renamed and revamped museum will feature a new main gallery, visitor center, plaza, and newly restored historic hangar, as well as dozens of aircraft and interactive cockpits, flight simulators, and historic artifacts, according to museum officials.
The museum will also highlight STEM aviation and aerospace programming that connects students to the explosion of STEM career opportunities.
If you have followed the amazing saga of US Airways Flight 1549 that occurred back in January 2009, being able to walk around the actual aircraft up close when it’s on display is pretty incredible. Looking at it and thinking what Sully and First Officer Jeff Skiles accomplished with no loss of life is something anyone interested in aviation history should take the time to experience. Both of these gentlemen are American aviation heroes for what they were able to pull off. Watch the movie and then visit the museum when it reopens at Charlotte/Douglas International. It will be well worth your time…you will not be disappointed.
The title of the article is “New name for Carolina Aviation Museum” but it failed to mention what the new name actually is. WTH ?!?!
Officials will reveal the new name later in 2022.
It an amazing thing to see Captain Sully’s plane in person. Definitely worth stopping if you are in the Charlotte area. I look forward to the reopening.