Open Cockpit Day
The New England Air Museum will hold an Open Cockpit Day on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Special activities include climb-aboard experiences in historic aircraft, flight simulators, hands-on Build and Fly Challenges, and much more. A variety of aircraft will be open for visitors including the WWII-era Republic P-47D, the Vietnam War-era Bell UH-1B “Huey” helicopter, as well as supersonic jet fighters including the North American F-100 Super Sabre jet fighter and the Lockheed F-104C Starfighter. Food and beverage will be available for purchase and all activities are included with museum admission.
Helicopter Day
On Saturday, June 23, the New England Air Museum will feature many of the helicopters in its extensive collection. For the first time the museum will display over 20 helicopters and equipment, including many that have been in storage for several years and are not normally open to the public. Some of the helicopters will be open to the public for tours and there will be experts there to explain the aircraft and their operation. The helicopters include the 25,000 pound CH-54 Tarhe, sometimes called the Skycrane, a single seat gyrocopter, a Navy drone, an award winning manpowered helicopter, and many others. At 1 p.m., Kevin Bredenbeck, former Sikorsky test pilot, will present X2 Technology Sikorsky Door Step into the Future.
The helicopter program will run from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., but the museum will remain open until 5 p.m.
The New England Air Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day. Admission is $15 for ages 15 and up, $14 for seniors 65 and up and $10 for ages 4 to 14. NEAM members and children under 3 are admitted free. For more information, visit www.neam.org or call 860- 623-3305.