The Sullenberger Aviation Museum will officially open its doors to the public on June 1. The museum’s namesake, Captain C.B. “Sully” Sullenberger and his crew, who piloted the “Miracle on the Hudson” landing, will be in Charlotte for the opening week to celebrate.
“After years of hard work and dedication from our incredible staff and Board of Directors, as well as an unwavering belief in our mission from generous corporate donors, individual donors, and elected officials, we could not be more excited to open the doors to Sullenberger Aviation Museum,” Museum Board Chair Tim Miller said. “This project would not have been possible without the support of our volunteers, especially our Board Chair Emeritus Marc Oken, who cast a new vision, assembled an amazing team, and led the Museum’s $34 million fundraising effort.”
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The new museum will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on Sundays from noon until 4:30 p.m., except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Dat. There are a limited number of tickets available for opening day with a special rate of $5 per ticket. The tickets for all over dates through Labor Day are also available for sale. Regular admission prices are $24 for adults; $20 for seniors, veterans, military and educators; and $18 for students ages five to 17. Members and children under five are free.
The museum is now selling memberships for its Frequent Flyer Program. Annual membership costs range from $75 for individual memberships to $200 for a Family Plus package, which included fee admission for two adults, a caregiver and up to six children. The membership perks include free admission for 12 months, free parking, early registration for camps and workships and discounts on some events, programs and merchandise.
A Welcome program is designed for individuals receiving SNAP/EBT benefits. After opening day, the tickets will be available for advance or onsite purchase for just $3 per person. A valid SNAP/EBT card is required for entry. There are also reduced-price memberships available through the website for $30 for a Family Plus Welcome membership, good for one year. Welcome Members are asked to show a valid SNAP/EBT card for the first time they use their membership.
“Charter” members, or those who buy any level of membership before April 30 will receive an additional six months of membership and an invitation to a sneak peak event at the museum before it officially opens its doors to the public.
Once open, the Sullenberger Aviation Museum will be a leading institution, honoring and exploring the world and wonder of flight. Not only will guests enjoy the historic aircraft on display, but the other benefits the museum will offer the community. The museum will offer opportunities to inspire, educate and elevate the next generation of innovators. With equitable access to career exploration in science, technology, engineering and math fields, which are crucial to driving innovation, it will drive economic growth in the Charlotte region. The museum’s primary focus will be providing a memorable experience and unique opportunities to communities that have long been underrepresented in the aviation industry, especially women and people of color.
“Our reimagined galleries and immersive storytelling encompass much more than a new facility, as we now have the privilege to serve as a convener of opportunity, advancing equity and access to careers in aviation throughout the Carolinas and beyond,” Museum President Stephen Saucier said. “We look forward to welcoming curious lifelong learners of all ages through our doors in just a few short months.”
The Sullenberger Aviation Museum is committed to accessibility, offering wheelchair-accessible exhibits and sensory-friendly backpacks so everyone can explore the wonder of flight. The museum will also be offering access through its Flight Forward program, which is a consortium of North Carolina aviation industry and educational professionals, numerous colleges and universities, trade schools and workforce development groups. The workforce collaborative will work together to develop strategic opportunities for student training, networking and recruitment across STEM-based fields.
Buy your ticket for opening day
There will be a range of exhibits in the museum, following three thematic areas:
Innovation Nation: This exhibit will delve into the risks, failures and triumphs that have all advanced aviation. This space will feature replicas of the Wright Brothers’ Flyer and Glider; a Vietnam-era F-4S Phantom II; one of only two manufactured Skystreak planes used to test breaking the sound barrier, as well as a P-80 (TV-1 Shooting Star), one of the first fighter jets used in combat. Innovation Nation will be the home of the A320 from the U.S. Airways Flight 1549 that landed on the Hudson after a bird strike. Flight 1549 has been part of the collection since 2011, but after the museum reopens in June, it will feature new artifacts and mementos, including letters from passengers to Capt. Sullenberger.
Aviation Society: In this exhibit, the guests will be introduced to a diverse range of people who have contributed to the aviation industry. Along with personal narratives, the Aviation Society exhibit will feature an F-14, rumored to have made an appearance on the tarmac in Top Gun, as well as an ERCO Ercoupe and an American Champion Cirabria.
Aviation City: The third exhibit will be opened later this fall. Aviation City will be in the historic WPA/Douglas hangar, surveying the economic and cultural development of Charlotte and the Carolinas’ past, present, and future. The area features an F-84 Thunderjet, a Stearman biplane, and a Lockheed T33.
These thematic exhibits will include hands-on, interactive activities like flight simulators, wind tunnels, photo booths, and games for guests of all ages. The museum will feature a maker space, allowing guests to explore, design and problem-solve with hands-on learning experiences and tools, including a paper airplane launcher and target, 3D printers, cardboard engineering and snap circuits.
In January 2023, the former Carolinas Aviation Museum announced that would be re-named and reopened. The infamous Miracle on the Hudson landing is part of Charlotte’s history, the plane was en route to Charlotte and many passengers on Flight 1549 call the city home. Renaming the museum after a storied over 30-year history launches the museum into a new phase.
Membership programs are open for enrollment now with numerous benefits. There are limited tickets available for opening day available online.
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