As of Thursday, there’s a brand new name for an important aviation museum: the Carolinas Aviation Museum has officially been renamed the Sullenberger Aviation Museum.
The new title pays tribute to Captain Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger, who — along with the crew of US Airways Flight 1549 — safely landed a damaged plane in the River Hudson of New York City on January 15, 2009.
The plane was en route to Charlotte, North Carolina, from New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) when it collided with a flock of geese, causing the engine to stop shortly after takeoff. All 155 passengers on the flight survived.
Thursday’s announcement comes three days before the 14th anniversary of the aviation event that has captivated and inspired the world.
Sullenberger was at the Renaissance West STEAM Academy in west Charlotte to announce the name change. Museum leaders provide updates on the construction of the museum’s new facility near Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT).
“Aviation – one of the most transformative industries in the world – has historically been inaccessible to our underserved communities, but we hope that not only a aircraft collection, the Sullenberger Aviation Museum will serve as a vehicle to inspire and elevate the next generation of future innovators and heroes,” said Sullenberger.
“I feel honored that my name will be associated with an inspiring organization that is actively working to expand social, cultural and economic mobility in Charlotte and beyond,” he said. said more.
The new moniker isn’t the only change to the newly minted Sullenberger Aviation Museum.
“The Sullenberger Aviation Museum will be more than just a hangar for historic aircraft,” Stephen Saucier, president of the Sullenberger Aviation Museum, said during the renaming ceremony.
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The Smithsonian’s Affiliated Museum will serve as a resource to inspire, educate and connect students seeking careers in STEM-based industries, including aviation.
“Captain. Sullenberger has dedicated her life to inspiring and educating future generations by elevating the magic of flight and affirming the importance of STEM learning and equity, all of which reflect mission of our museum,” Saucier said.
Scheduled to open in late 2023, the Sullenberger Aviation Museum’s new 105,000-square-foot multi-building campus will offer an immersive learning experience that includes flight simulations, interactive exhibits and programs engaging STEM education.
The expansive space will feature a visitor center, main gallery and outdoor plaza. Additionally, a historic hangar will house dozens of aircraft and exhibits that tell vivid stories, as well as public and private event spaces for additional programming.
It will continue to be a permanent display in honor of the captain and crew of Flight 1549; The exhibition showcased the Airbus A320 used in flight, which had previously attracted more than 74,000 visitors to the museum annually.
Ric Elias, CEO of Red Ventures, TPG’s parent company, was a Flight 1549 survivor. He was present at the renaming ceremony and even introduced the captain. Elias personally donated $1 million to reopen the museum; this comes with a $500,000 donation from Lonely Planet, another Red Ventures brand.
Elias said: “I am forever indebted to Captain Sully and the crew of US Airways Flight 1549 for my second chance at life, and for the past 13 years I have been determined to find a way to honor them. “Heroes were created long before they were called to action. This museum will serve as a lasting tribute to the preparation, courage and dedication of the captain and the entire crew.”
The Carolinas Aviation Museum was founded in 1992 by aviation enthusiast and Confederate Air Force Carolinas Wing commander Floyd Swinton Wilson and his wife, Lois. It has been the home of the iconic plane Flight 1549 since 2011.
