Special Event

Celebrate the remarkable journeys of astronauts and pilots during Aviation Weekend, August 2-4, 2024. Hear astronauts, pilots and scholars from different backgrounds share their stories of reaching the skies. Join us for the following events this weekend:

Tales from the Flight Deck

Journey To Mars, 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM

Hear from astronauts and pilots to discover how they embarked on their different journeys. Special guests include:

Friday, August 2

• Waynetta Gentry, KC-135R Aircraft (USAF Veteran)
• Melissa Day, H60 CSAR Helicopter (USSF) and Airline Pilot (American Airlines, Captain, A320)
• Valerie Varona, MH-60 Helicopter (USN Veteran) and Airline Pilot (First Officer, A320)

Saturday, August 3

• Chris Ferguson, astronaut, STS-115, STS-126 and STS-135
• Brigadier General Matt “Mutt” Manifold (USAF Retired)
• Kodey Bogart, Blackhawk Helicopter (US Army Veteran)

Sunday, August 4

• Tony Antonelli, astronaut, STS-119 and STS-132
• Brigadier General Matt Manifold (USAF Retired)
• Kodey Bogart, Blackhawk Helicopter (US Army Veteran)

Astronaut Scholar Presentations

Journey To Mars, 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM

Astronaut Scholars from the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation will present on the following topics:

Saturday, August 3

• Josh Baston presents “Surviving Propulsion: Materials Selection for Jet Turbine Engines”

Sunday, August 4

• Vikas Patel presents “From Childhood Dreams to Flight: A Journey through Aviation and Aerospace & Why the windows seat is the best seat in an airplane”

Atlantis Aviation Center

Space Shuttle Atlantis^®

Join us for an engaging, hand-on aviation station where you can experience the following:

• Craft your very own paper airplane. Then, at 3:00 PM each day, join us for a friendly competition with other guests to see whose handmade aircraft flies the farthest. The winner will take a photo with the astronauts and pilots and receive prizes.
• “Chat With A Pilot” from 1:00 – 4:00 PM all weekend. Ask your questions while you build your aircraft. 
• Take your very own pilot photo at the nearby photobooth.

Also that weekend, enjoy an end-of-season block party with DJ Steve and his solar-powered DJ kiosk in front of Space Shuttle Atlantis all weekend long from noon to 4:00 PM. Our fun activity area including mini-golf, corn hole and four in a row will also be set up nearby.