Carolinas Aviation Museum renamed to honor 'Miracle on the Hudson' captain
As of Thursday, there is a brand-new name for an important museum of flight: The Carolinas Aviation Museum was officially rebranded as the Sullenberger Aviation Museum.
The new title pays homage to Capt. Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger, who — along with his US Airways Flight 1549 flight crew — safely landed a damaged aircraft in New York City’s Hudson River on Jan. 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, stopping the engines just moments after takeoff. All 155 passengers aboard the flight survived.
Thursday's announcement comes three days shy of the 14th anniversary of that aviation event that captured and inspired the world.
Sullenberger was present at Renaissance West STEAM Academy in west Charlotte for the renaming announcement. Museum leaders provided updates on the construction of the museum’s new facility adjacent to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT).
“Aviation — one of the most transformative industries in the world — has not historically been accessible to our underserved communities, but it is our hope that as more than a collection of aircraft, the Sullenberger Aviation Museum will serve as a vehicle of opportunity to inspire and elevate the next generation of innovators and future heroes,” Sullenberger said.
“I feel privileged that my name will be associated with such an awe-inspiring institution that is actively working to expand social, cultural and economic mobility in Charlotte and beyond,” he added.
The new moniker isn't the only change for the newly minted Sullenberger Aviation Museum.
"Sullenberger Aviation Museum will be more than a warehouse of historic aircraft," Stephen Saucier, Sullenberger Aviation Museum president, said during the renaming ceremony.
The Smithsonian affiliate museum will serve as a resource to inspire, educate and connect students who seek careers in STEM-based industries, including aviation.
“Capt. Sullenberger has committed his life to inspiring and educating future generations by elevating the wonder of flight and affirming the importance of STEM learning and equity, all of which mirrors our museum’s mission," Saucier said.
Projected to open by the end of 2023, the new 105,000-square-foot Sullenberger Aviation Museum's multibuilding campus will provide immersive learning experiences including flight simulators, interactive exhibits and engaging STEM education programs.
The expansive space will feature a visitor center, a main gallery and an outdoor plaza. Additionally, a historic airplane hangar will hold dozens of aircraft and immersive storytelling exhibits, as well as public and private event spaces for additional programming.
It will continue to house the permanent exhibit honoring the captain and crew of Flight 1549; the exhibit features the Airbus A320 used on the flight, which previously attracted more than 74,000 visitors to the museum annually.
Ric Elias, CEO of TPG's parent company Red Ventures, is a Flight 1549 survivor. He was on hand for the renaming ceremony and even introduced the captain. Elias personally donated $1 million toward the museum’s reopening; this came alongside a $500,000 donation from Lonely Planet, another Red Ventures brand.
“I am forever indebted to Capt. Sully and the crew of US Airways Flight 1549 for my second chance at life, and, for 13 years, I have been determined to find a way to honor them,” Elias said. “Heroes are made long before the day they are called to action. This museum will serve as an enduring 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 commander of the Carolinas Wing of the Confederate Air Force Floyd Swinton Wilson and his wife, Lois. It's been the home of the iconic Flight 1549 aircraft since 2011.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.