CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — Sullenberger Aviation Museum will officially open its doors to the public on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 10 a.m.
Capt. C.B. “Sully” Sullenberger, who, along with his crew, maneuvered the famed “Miracle on the Hudson” landing, will be in Charlotte to celebrate during a week of opening activities, according to museum officials.
The museum will feature three areas, including Innovation Nation, which will explore the risks, failures, and triumphs that have advanced aviation. This area features replicas of the Wright Brothers’ Flyer and glider planes, a Vietnam-era F-4S Phantom II, one of only two manufactured Skystreak planes used to test breaking the sound barrier, and a P-80 (TV-1 Shooting Star), one of the first jet fighters used during combat, to name a few.
Innovation Nation will also house the A320 from US Airways Flight 1549, better known as the “Miracle on the Hudson,” and a corresponding exhibit. Flight 1549 has been part of the museum’s collection since 2011, but when the museum reopens it will include new artifacts and mementos, including letters from passengers to Sullenberger.
In the Aviation Society exhibition, guests will be introduced to the people who contribute to the aviation industry locally and globally. In addition to these personal narratives, the area features an F-14 that is rumored to have made an appearance on the tarmac in “Top Gun,” an ERCO Ercoupe, an American Champion Citabria, and more iconic aircraft, according to museum officials.
The museum will open its final area, called Aviation City, in the fall of 2024.
Aviation City will be in the museum’s historic WPA/Douglas hangar and will survey the economic and cultural development of Charlotte and the Carolinas’ past, present, and future. This area features an F-84 Thunderjet, a Stearman biplane, and a Lockheed T-33, among others.
Each area will feature hands-on, interactive activities like flight simulators, wind tunnels, photo booths, and games appropriate for guests of all ages, museum officials said.
The museum also features a makerspace where visitors can explore, design, and problem-solve via hands-on learning experiences and tools, including a paper airplane launcher and target, 3D printers, cardboard engineering, and snap circuits.
A limited number of tickets for opening day are now available for purchase at a special rate of $5 per ticket.
Regular admission prices are $24 for adults, $20 for seniors, veterans, military, and educators, and $18 for students (ages 5 to 17). Members and children under five are always free. Tickets can be purchased here.
In addition, memberships for the Museum’s Frequent Flyer Program are now available. Annual membership costs range from $75 for an individual membership to $200 for a Family Plus package, which includes free admission for two adults, a caregiver, and up to six children. Perks of membership include free admission for 12 months, free parking, early registration for camps and workshops, and discounts on select events, programs, and merchandise.
For more information: SullenbergerAviation.org
Why has everything become political? Why is it…anytime someone dislikes or disagrees, it becomes a political issue, e.g. “woke” or “DEI” or [pick anyword or phrase in your vocabulary]? What’s wrong with just admitting you don’t like it? I have zero interest in your or anyone else’s political opinion. By the way, when was America normal?
Every comment from Kent across this and many other public aviation forums is blatantly political. Apparently he can’t control himself.
Interesting comment, Kent. I just read an article this morning about how when North Carolina passed its “bathroom bill” eight years ago, companies like PayPal, Deutsche Bank and Adidas scrapped projects in NC, Bruce Springsteen and others cancelled shows, and the NCAA moved tournament games out of state. Cost to the NC economy: $4 billion. The “bathroom bill” was repealed after 12 months.
From your comment, sounds like folks haven’t wised up.
They have a decent collection, but the organization has gone woke, a show-stopper for many here in North Carolina. I have zero interest in visiting the museum. A real gem though is the North Carolina Aviation Museum and Hall of Fame at the Asheboro, NC Airport, former home of the late, great heads of EAA Publications, Jack and Golda Cox. No wokeness, no DEI, no PC nonsense, just aviation pure as back when America was normal.