CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Sullenberger Aviation Museum officially opens to the public on Saturday, June 1, giving people a chance to see the "Miracle on the Hudson" plane up close and paying tribute to aviation's past, present and future.
Formerly known as the Carolinas Aviation Museum, the Sullenberger Aviation Museum was renamed to honor famed Pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, who pulled off the incredible landing on New York's Hudson River in 2009. The museum closed in 2019 while officials secured a permanent location. The facility raised over $31 million during that time.
RELATED: 'Absolutely part of history' | WCNC Charlotte crew reflects on covering the Miracle on the Hudson
Visitors to the museum will be able to get close look at the Charlotte-bound plane frozen in time and watch a short film about Sully’s heroic efforts that saved more than 150 lives.
The exhibits will not only show that snapshot in history, but also how aviation safety has grown to this day.
Sullenberger and some of Flight 1549's passengers will be at Saturday's opening ceremony. He hopes the museum and his legacy will inspire others.
"It's forward-facing," Sullenberger told WCNC Charlotte. "It's about the future and what it can do, and I'm sure it will, given the staff and given what they've created here. It will inspire pilots and flight attendants, mechanics, air traffic controllers and many others for generations to come."
Inside the Sullenberger Aviation Museum
There are also opportunities to get interactive and learn more about each of the aircraft in the museum.
Sullenberger Aviation Museum will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 4:30 p.m.
Tickets are sold out for opening day on June 1, but daily tickets and memberships are available to purchase in advance for all other days this summer through Labor Day. Visit the official website here to buy tickets now. Admission is $5 for adults and kids under 4 are free.
STEM programs will be offered later this summer for kids and teens in grades K-12.
Contact Destiny Richards at drichards5@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
WCNC Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with the team at WCNC Charlotte.
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart
All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.