The EAA Aviation Museum will reopen on a limited basis August 3, the first time the facility has opened its doors since late March when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. The museum will, however, limit the size of groups and the total number of visitors allowed in the facility at any time. In addition, high-touchpoint areas and exhibits will remain closed and higher levels of cleaning and disinfecting are part of the reopening process throughout the facility.
Ron Connolly, EAA Aviation Museum director, said in a news release, “As we reopen, we are very aware of the need to keep the health and safety of our visitors and staff as the top priority, so we will move toward full operations gradually based on the best information available.”
EAA says that while theaters inside the museum will be modified to ensure proper distancing, the KidVenture, Sikorsky/Johnson Wax exhibit, and the Willan Space Gallery areas will remain closed. Touch screens and video players at exhibits will also not operate. While the hangars at Pioneer Airport will be open daily through Labor Day, weather permitting, there are no flight operations or tram service at the facility. Additionally, all visitors and staff will be temperature checked as they enter the EAA grounds, and are required to wear masks while in the facility and to maintain physical distancing. While cash is still accepted for admissions and purchases, use of credit and debit cards is encouraged.
Since the museum closed in late March, the collection has added a Huey helicopter that is a veteran of three tours in the Vietnam War. That helicopter is part of a new exhibit that will be open in the Eagle Hangar. A formal dedication of that exhibit is planned for later this year.
