Aviation Heritage Park and Museum has announced its 2025 calendar packed with hands-on educational offerings and exhibit openings highlighting inspiring South Central Kentucky aviators.
AHP will be hosting camps using new Sphero robots (May 28), drones (June 28) and rockets (July 15-17). Campers will be able to work with top educators to program robots, plan drone missions, or build and launch rockets based on STEM learning objectives. Registration opens on April 1 at 10:00 a.m. and is expected to fill up fast. For more information, follow AHP on social media and subscribe to their emails.
Simulator Saturdays will put people of all ages, 7 and up, in the pilot seat of a flight simulator. Events will be offered on the first and third Saturdays of each month through July. The first event, May 3 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, is free with four simulators running. Subsequent Simulator Saturdays can be booked on the aviationheritagepark.com website for $10 per 15-minute session per student May 17, June 7, June 21, July 5 and July 19. Each Saturday is an opportunity to build skills needed to become a pilot.
AHP Museum creates new exhibits every year, making annual visits a fresh experience. On May 24, the “Featured Aviators” exhibit opens. With galleries directly connected to each aircraft on campus, visitors can go from the jets and helicopters to the Museum display on each distinguished aviator to learn more.
Saturday, June 14 the 2025 Hangar Party, “First In, Last Out,” will recognize AHP’s newest acquisition, the F-105 Thunderchief, an aircraft known for neutralizing surface-to-air missile sites before missions and following the fighters out after. Hosted at the BG/WC Airport and the 19th year for AHP’s important fundraiser, the event welcomes aircraft fly-ins and offers displays, good food, drinks and live music for the community. Sponsorships are available, with tickets going on sale to the public online beginning _____.
The “Distinguished Aviators” exhibit opens July 4 highlighting the stories and artifacts of South Central Kentucky aviators, including Lt. General Steve Basham, who flew the first mission in the B-2 Stealth Bomber, and modern fighter pilot and Top Gun pilot Captain Jacob Vaughan.
Open Cockpit Day, October 11, is free to the public and offers a chance to see the aircraft up close. The T-38 Talon is available to sit in as well, putting guests in the same aircraft as astronauts from Neil Armstrong to Barry “Butch” Wilmore, who was recently brought home from the International Space Station.
Executive Director Bob Bubnis is looking forward to great things. “Last year, we were focused on giving our community a world-class museum experience, all at no charge for admission. Our goal is to educate, inspire and engage everyone with our exhibits, regardless of income. This year, we are adding exhibits and educational experiences using our aircraft and aviators as the vehicle to launch the dreams of the next generation.”
