The New England Air Museum will hold its annual Women Take Flight event on Saturday, March 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in commemoration of Women’s History Month and in conjunction with Women of Aviation Worldwide Week. Visitors of all ages are invited to celebrate women’s contributions to aerospace history through a variety of hands-on activities, special events, and lectures.
This year’s event features keynote speaker Commander Rebecca J. Waddington, Deputy Chief of Flight Operations at the NOAA Aviation Operations Center. Waddington made history in August 2018 when she was part of the first all-female flight crew to pilot a NOAA aircraft during a hurricane mission. She made history again in September 2019 as part of NOAA’s first all-female three pilot flight team while flying reconnaissance missions over Hurricane Dorian. As a NOAA Commissioned Corps Hurricane Hunter, Waddington is passionate about serving her country and is proud to be an inspiration for women in aviation. Waddington will speak at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and will be available to meet with visitors 10:30 – 11 a.m. and 2:30 – 3 p.m.
Women Take Flight will also offer visitors the opportunity to meet over 100 women pilots, engineers, and aerospace professionals.
Women Take Flight will also feature hands-on STEM activities for children, flight simulators, and climb-aboard experiences in historic aircraft, including a Lockheed 10-A Electra—the same model aircraft Amelia Earhart flew during her attempted around the world flight in 1937.
Women Take Flight is supported in part by Horst Engineering. Additional support is provided by Sheraton at Bradley International Airport and Embraer Executive Jet Center. Food and beverage will be available for purchase compliments of Kane’s Market. This event is open to the public, and all lectures, events, and activities are included with museum admission. Discounted admission is available for prepaid groups of 10 or more with advance reservations. Additional information is available at neam.org or by calling 860-623-3305.
Women Take Flight will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the museum will close at 5 p.m. Admission is $16 for ages 15 to 64, $14 for seniors 65 and up, and $10 for youth ages 4 to 14. New England Air Museum members and children ages 3 and under are admitted free of charge. The New England Air Museum is located in Windsor Locks, adjacent to Bradley International Airport.