“Become a Pilot” Day at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum Will Feature a Boeing 777

The “Become a Pilot” family day and aviation display, held annually at the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., will feature a United Airlines Boeing 777 for the first time. Visitors can go into the plane and meet the pilots to talk about how and why they fly. “Become a Pilot” day will take place Saturday, June 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Boeing 777 is the world’s largest twin-engine jet airliner and typically seats 314 to 451 passengers. United Airlines was the first to place the 777 into commercial airline service in 1995; today it is one of Boeing’s best-selling models. Visitors will have the unique experience of exploring the aircraft at their leisure and hearing more about it from the pilots firsthand.

In addition to the Boeing 777, visitors can explore more than 50 aircraft flown in for one day only. There will be gliders, sport pilot qualified aircraft, vintage aircraft, helicopters and vintage cars paired by era with the airplanes. Visitors will be able walk up to the planes, meet the pilots and go in some of the cockpits. Other activities include:

• Wing-walking demonstration      
• Hands-on activities
• Kite demonstrations    
• Book signings
• Parachute packing  
• Presentations by experts
• Tours
• Story times
• Monocopter demonstrations

The “Become a Pilot” family day is free and open to the public; parking is $15. The event goes on rain or shine; however, the participation of visiting aircraft, including the Boeing 777, is weather contingent. Should inclement weather prevent aircraft from taking part, family-day activities inside the center will still take place. More information, including a list of participating aircraft, is available here. #PilotDay14 is the official event hashtag.

 This event is made possible by the support of Booz Allen Hamilton, WTOP and WTOP.com.

The National Air and Space Museum building on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., is located at Sixth Street and Independence Avenue S.W. The museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is located in Chantilly, Va., near Washington Dulles International Airport. Both facilities are open daily from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. (closed Dec. 25). Admission is free, but there is a $15 fee for parking at the Udvar-Hazy Center.

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