Following a successful summer of Phase 2 operations, and in conjunction with Governor Lamont's decision to move Connecticut into Phase 3 of its reopening, the New England Air Museum will shift into Phase 3 of its COVID-19 Reopening Plan effective Tuesday October 13, 2020. The New England Air Museum's Phase 3 Operations will include:
The museum has shifted to its winter hours. From Labor Day to Memorial Day we are open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00am-3:00pm. The museum is closed on Mondays with the exception of school holidays and vacation weeks.
The museum has upgraded its HVAC systems to allow for improved ventilation and air circulation. Our exhibit hangar doors will close for the season as part of Phase 3, and our fully heated/air-conditioned hangars will offer visitors over 90,000 square feet of aircraft and exhibits to explore. Additional aircraft will be available for viewing in our three-acre outdoor grounds pending weather conditions
Our Sikorsky CH-54B Tarhe Cargo Box Exhibit and computer flight simulators will reopen in Phase 3. Both exhibits have been modified to allow for social distancing. We have also brought additional aircraft into the exhibit hangars including the Grumman F-14B Tomcat, the Stearman PT-17 Kaydet, and the Ryan Aeronautical Company PT-22A Recruit. Stay tuned for additional aircraft updates throughout the fall.
Our Flights of Fun Family Programs continue to offer social distanced activities for families on Saturdays and Sundays including Flight Science Demonstrations, the Investigation Station, and take-home versions of our popular Build and Fly Challenges. Additional activities include QR Code Tours, Scavenger Hunts, and opportunities for visitors to peek inside select aircraft cockpits. All programs are included with general admission.
We continue to operate at reduced capacity as well as practice social distancing throughout the museum in keeping with Reopen Connecticut regulations.
The museum has invested in electrostatic sprayers to improve sanitization of our interactive exhibits, and we continue to implement increased cleaning protocols in all public areas.
The museum continues to follow all COVID-19 Sector Rules issued by the Governor Ned Lamont and the Reopen Connecticut panel. This includes requiring masks/cloth face coverings for all museum staff, volunteers, and visitors over the age of 2 in keeping with Executive Order 7NNN.
