Past Events

Aviation Adventures Lecture

The Aviation Adventures lecture is the National Air and Space Museum's longest-running sponsored program, spotlighting everything from icons of aviation like Sikorsky helicopters and the Navy’s TOPGUN school, to modern-day advancements in aviation like sustainability efforts and the future of supersonic flight.

This lecture is made possible by the generous support of GE Aerospace.

Bill Liscomb

Lecture

Big Blue Sky

  • National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC

Bill Liscomb is a pioneer of modern hang gliding having flown hang gliders and sailplanes since 1971.

Red Bull Stratos - Manned Flight Two: Felix Baumgartner

Lecture

Red Bull Stratos: Mission to the Edge of Space

  • National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC

Join record-holding parachutist Felix Baumgartner, previous high-altitude descent record-holder Joseph Kittinger, and technical project director Art Thompson for their thrilling first-person accounts of Baumgartner’s dramatic jump over Roswell, New Mexico.

Shaesta Waiz stands in front of airplane

Lecture

Dreams Soar

  • National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC

When Afghan-American pilot Shaesta Waiz decided to fly around the world, she knew she wanted to do it for something bigger than herself. Last year, Waiz became the youngest woman to circumnavigate the globe solo in a single-engine aircraft—and along the way, she inspired girls and boys to pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields and aviation careers.

Capt. Rosemary Bryant Mariner

Lecture

The Fight to Fly at Sea

  • National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC

Rosemary Bryant Mariner was among the first female military aviators to fly a tactical jet aircraft and was the first woman to fly a front-line light attack aircraft.

Zipline drone

Lecture

Surprising Roles of Drones

  • National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC

Explore innovative uses of drones. Featuring John Petersen of Air Shepherd, Will Hetzler of Zipline, and Sharon Rossmark from Women and Drones. Tickets are free, but must be reserved in advance.

General James F. Amos

Lecture

General James F. Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps

  • National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC

Marine Aviators make a unique contribution to national defense.  Come and hear Commandant of the Marine Corps General James F. Amos, the Senior Marine and Naval Aviator, speak about his career, Marine aviation's history of innovation, and its role as part of America's Expeditionary Force in Readiness.