All programs are free with Museum admission or membership unless otherwise noted.
30th Anniversary of the Flight of the Gossamer Albatross: A Celebration of Pedal Power
June 6 - 14
On June 12, 1979, cyclist and hang-glider pilot Bryan Allen successfully flew across the English Channel in a pedal-powered ultra light aircraft called Gossamer Albatross. The flight took 2 hours and 49 minutes, and Allen became the first human to transcend a geographical boundary flying under his own power. In celebration of this historic anniversary--and human-power in general--The Museum of Flight will offer special events, movies and tours June 6 - 14. Visitors are encouraged to help celebrate human-powered transportation by bicycling to the Museum! The Cascade Bicycle Club will be at the Museum conducting free bicycle helmet fittings for kids and adults June 6 - 7.
Two award winning movies that tell the story of human-powered flight will be presented in the WilliamM.AllenTheater at 2 p.m. daily June 6 - 14, with 11 a.m. showings June 6, 7, 13 and 14. "The Flight of the Gossamer Condor" is an Academy Award winning short documentary of the first successful human-powered flight. The Emmy winning "Search for Adventure: Gossamer Albatross" is about the flight across the English Channel and narrated by Hal Holbrook.
In addition to the films, each day will include Tip-to-Tail tours of the Museum's Gossamer Albatross II; a 20 minute Amazing Skies Theater presentation "Twist of the Wrist," where Wright Brothers mechanic Charlie Taylor tells the story of the invention of the airplane and how cyclist Wilbur Wright discovered the concept of wing warping.
Tip-to-Tail Tour: The Gossamer Albatross II
Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Thursday, June 11 - Sunday, June 14, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the flight of the Gossamer Albatross, stories of human-powered flight will be presented by the Museum's docents. Subjects vary, please check in at the docent desk for the day's schedule.
Bank of America Weekend Family Workshop: The Hubble Telescope: "Eye in the Sky"
Saturdays and Sundays, June 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 27 and 28, 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.
The most powerful telescope ever built isn't on Earth, it's in outer space. Learn the history of the Hubble Space Telescope-then make a space collage of distant galaxies!
Fire Department Day
Friday, June 19, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., East Parking Lot
The King County Fire and Life Safety Association is hosting the 12th Annual King County Fire Department Day at the Museum. On this day, kids of all ages can view fire equipment on display and meet the men and women who serve them. Kids of all ages will have the opportunity to climb aboard a fire engine, see how tall an aerial ladder extends, talk with firefighters and department personnel, and learn fire and life safety skills through fun activities. The Safety Zone will teach children safety skills, while providing adults with life-saving information. This exciting summer event is fun and educational!
Wings of Freedom WWII Bomber and Fighter Tour
Friday, June 19 - Sunday, June 21, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Temporary Aircraft Ramp
Join the Museum as the Collings Foundation's "Wings of Freedom" Tour lands at Boeing Field, providing Museum visitors the unique chance to experience sights and sounds of the American heavy bombers that helped win World War II: the B-17 and the B-24. The Tour group also includes a medium bomber B-25 and a P-51 fighter. The Foundation offers flights and ground tours. For flight reservations and prices, call 800-568-8924 or visit www.collingsfoundation.org.
American Heroes Air Show
Saturday, June 20, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., East Parking Lot
Come to the Museum on June 20 for a day full of heroes and helicopters. Learn how helicopters play an important role in law enforcement, fire service, public safety, communications, national defense and homeland security. The American Heroes Air Show features static displays, special presentations and entertainment. See helicopters like the Blackhawk flown by the U.S. Border Patrol, as well as those flown by Airlift Northwest, KING 5 TV and many others. The helicopters will arrive between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. Come early to see them land!
American Heroes Air Show Helicopter Crew Panel Discussion
Saturday, June 20, 2 p.m., William M. AllenTheater
Find out what it is like to fly and work in a helicopter from a panel of crew members from one of more of the visiting helicopters.
Sunday, June 21, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Bartell Drugs once again makes the Museum the place to take Dad on his special day by sponsoring free admission for dads all day long! The Museum chips in with a full day of special family activities-after all, dad wants mom and the kids to have fun too! Coupons for dad's free admission will be available at Bartell Drugs in early June.
Tip-to-Tail Tour: Boeing Model 40B
Sunday, June 21, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Twenty four Model 40As were used to inaugurate the Boeing Air Transport air mail and passenger service between Chicago and San Francisco, July 1, 1927. In 1928, most of the 40As were upgraded to 40Bs. Learn about this historic aircraft during the tip-to-tail tour.
Bank of America Weekend Family Workshop: The Incredible Edible, Candy-Dandy, Wonderful Wible Plane and High Flying Fathers' Day Fun Flyer Fest!
Sunday, June 21, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
No, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you...it actually says EDIBLE! Visitors can make a version of the "sweetest" plane in our collection, the wible plane. While you may have a difficult time flying an edible airplane, Fathers' Day will still soar at the Museum with some old-fashioned paper airplane building fun! Visitors can make the Delta Wing Super Flyer, Amazing Flying Ring and other great flying gliders.
Lt. Col. Michael P. Anderson Statue Dedication
Friday, June 26, 10 a.m.
On June 26 the Museum will dedicate a statue honoring fallen Columbia space shuttle astronaut Lt. Col. Michael P. Anderson. The large, bronze statue will be situated in a newly lanscaped area on the northwest side of the Museum's main campus.
Anderson, a native of Spokane, Wash., graduated from Cheney High School in Cheney, Wash., in 1977. At the University of Washington, he participated in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and he earned his bachelor of science degree in physics/astronomy in 1981. After graduating from the University of Washington, Anderson was commissioned a second lieutenant and assigned to Randolph Air Force Base in Texas. He earned his master of science degree in physics from Creighton University in Omaha, NE, in 1990.
Anderson was selected by NASA in December 1994. He completed a year of training and evaluation and was qualified for flight crew assignment as a mission specialist. Anderson was flew on STS-89 Endeavour and STS-107 Columbia, logging over 593 hours in space.
