American Aviation Weekend is a three-day celebration of flight, innovation, and the people who explore the skies. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex invites guests to explore the spirit of American aviation through special guests and unique activities.
Throughout the weekend, guests can look forward to:
- Meet and greets with pilots and astronaut pilots (see schedule below)
- Atlantis Aviation Center on the bottom floor of Space Shuttle Atlantis with fun activities, photo opportunities, and a future pilot selfie station
- Screenings of The Blue Angels in IMAX Theater, showing: Monday, July 27 – Sunday, Aug 2 at 3:00 PM and 5:30 PM
- Tales from the Flight Deck presentations in Journey To Mars at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM throughout the weekend with the pilots.

On Friday, July 31, there will be a flyover of one of Kennedy Space Center’s Airbus H135 helicopters, operated by NASA’s Flight Operations team. Supporting launch operations, astronaut crew training & recovery, range clearance, emergency medical response, security, imagery, aerial surveillance, and scientific missions, these aircraft help ensure every mission is conducted safely and successfully. At the controls today are Chief of Flight Operations Shannon Gregory and Chief Pilot and Safety Officer Andre Karpowich, representing the dedicated professionals who keep Kennedy Space Center mission-ready from the ground to the skies.
Pilot Schedule:
Friday, July 31: Major Trent “Beef” Kingery, Ph.D., and Matthew “Mutt” Manifold
Saturday, August 1: Matthew “Mutt” Manifold and astronaut Winston Scott
Sunday, August 2: Matthew “Mutt” Manifold and astronaut Fred Gregory