Aviation weekend is a celebration of aviation, innovation, and exploration. Connect with aviation professionals, and party with a DJ! Make sure to check out “Tales from the Flight Deck,” where astronauts and pilots share their career stories, answer your questions, and do photo opportunities.
“Takes from the Flight Deck” Guests:
- August 1: Toni Antonelli & Trent Kingery
- August 2: Chris Ferguson & Trent Kingery
- August 3: Trent Kingery
(Panel times to be announced)
Daily Highlights:
- Meet and greets with aviation professionals from the Central Florida Chapter of Women in Aviation International
- Hands-on activities and aviator meet-and greets in the Atlantis Aviation Center
- Blue Angels 3D in IMAX, showing daily August 1–8 (check schedule for times)
- Block party from 12–4pm daily with a live DJ, mini golf, corn hole, and more
All activities are included in admission.
GUEST BIOS
Captain Tony Antonelli
Tony Antonelli, a retired U.S. Navy captain and NASA astronaut, has logged over 3,200 flight hours across 41 different aircraft and completed 273 carrier landings. Selected by NASA as an astronaut in 2000, he flew two space missions, serving as pilot both times: STS-119 Discovery in March 2009 and STS-132 Atlantis in May 2010, spending a total of just over 24 days in space.
Captain Trent Kingery
For over two decades, Kingery served in the United States Marine Corps as a FA-18 pilot, lead flight instructor, avionics technician, and acquisition specialist. His service included deployments in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, during which he earned nine Strike/Flight Air Medals, completed 695 combat flight hours, flew 175 combat missions, and executed 165 carrier landings. He has logged over 4,000 flight hours across more than 23 aircraft types. Following his retirement in 2014, Kingery transitioned into civilian aerospace leadership. He currently serves as the Chief Aviation Safety Officer for the Flight Operations Directorate at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
Captain Chris Ferguson
Chris Ferguson, a retired U.S. Navy captain and NASA astronaut, flew three missions to space, spending over 40 days in orbit. He piloted his first mission, STS-115 Atlantis in 2006, then commanded STS-126 Endeavour in 2008. His final and most historic flight came in 2011, when he led STS-135—the last mission of the Space Shuttle Program — aboard Atlantis. During that 13-day mission, Captain Ferguson and his crew delivered nearly 10,000 pounds of supplies and equipment to the International Space Station. In addition to his flight experience, he also served as deputy chief of the Astronaut Office at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
The Blue Angels 3D IMAX Experience
Soar with The Blue Angels in a thrilling new abridged version of the documentary featuring never-before-seen IMAX 3D footage that chronicles a year with the Navy’s elite Flight Demonstration Squadron – from selection through the challenging training and demanding show season – showcasing the extraordinary teamwork, passion, and pride that fuels America’s best, the Blue Angels.