Press Release
Issued by Flexjet.
June 21, 2021
In a show of support for the nation's most prestigious museum focused on all aspects of aviation, Flexjet today announced a $1 million gift to the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. The contribution will specifically support the new Thomas W. Haas We All Fly gallery, which will celebrate the joy of flying and the impact of general aviation.
“The executives in our organisation, including our chairman Kenn Ricci, led by example in giving back to our community so we are proud to continue that practice by contributing to such a worthy cause,” said Michael Silvestro, chief executive officer of Flexjet, one of the world's largest fractional jet providers. “The We All Fly gallery will introduce a wider audience to general and private aviation, helping to educate the public on the important function the industry plays, from economic benefits to job opportunities to the thrill of aviation careers.”
Ricci, who is also a Smithsonian National board member, said, “What is truly exciting about this gift is that the innovations we are implementing in private aviation today will be reflected in tomorrow's galleries at the museum.”
The National Air and Space Museum is the largest and most visited of the Smithsonian Institution's 19 museums, and this new gallery is part of the museum's ongoing transformation of all its galleries at the flagship building in Washington, D.C.
The Thomas W. Haas Foundation founded what will become the Thomas W. Haas We All Fly gallery with a $10 million gift. We All Fly will include examples of different forms of general aviation, from business aircraft to gliders, and it will be among the first of the new galleries in the museum's west end to open in 2022.
At the entrance of this new gallery will be Sean D. Tucker's Oracle Challenger III high-performance aerobatic flight aircraft, according to the museum. Also featured in the gallery will be a Cessna 180, Gates Lear Jet and a Cirrus SR22. The exhibition will feature new educational interactive technology and engaging videos that will explore the valuable impact of general aviation on society and encourage the public to join in.
“We are grateful for this generous support from Flexjet,” said Dorothy Cochrane, aviation curator at the museum. “The gift will enable us to continue to tell these important stories, showing young people and all visitors the many possibilities open to them in the aviation field.”
The National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., is located at Sixth Street and Independence Avenue S.W. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is located in Chantilly, Virginia, near Washington Dulles International Airport.
