The National Naval Aviation Museum is open to the public for the first time in three years.
NAS Pensacola recorded more than 1,400 people who came out to catch Wednesday’s Blue Angels practice, with hundreds filling up the auditorium after the show for an autograph signing session by the Blue Angels.
The current iteration of public base access isn’t the same as it was prior to the 2019 terrorist attack onboard NAS Pensacola that left eight injured and four dead, including the shooter.
Here’s everything you can expect on your first visit to the National Naval Aviation Museum.
Getting onboard NAS Pensacola:What you need to know about NAS Pensacola reopening to the public
NAS Pensacola open:NAS Pensacola reopens to public for first time in three years
Is NAS Pensacola open to the public?
The U.S. Navy announced that NAS Pensacola would open to the public seven days a week for the first time in three years starting on May 17.
Public access is only possible through the West Gate on Blue Angel Parkway.
What you must to bring to get onboard NAS Pensacola
All U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals 18 and older must have a REAL ID or passport.
The Department of Defense (DoD) and the Navy require any identification card used for base access to be compliant with the REAL ID Act of 2005. Real ID-compliant identification cards are marked by a star on the upper right side of the card.
If you do not have a REAL ID-compliant identification, you can present an original or certified true copy of a birth certificate bearing a raised seal, social security card and driver’s license issued by a state, territory, possession, or District of Columbia that is not REAL ID-compliant.
All three documents must bear the same name, or a former name as documented on acceptable name change documentation such as a court order, marriage certificate or divorce decree.
Restoring access:At long last, NAS Pensacola restoring public access 7 days a week
How much does the National Naval Aviation Museum cost?
The National Naval Aviation Museum has free Museum admission and also free parking.
What are the hours?
Please note: These hours are adjusted for public access to NAS Pensacola, which is only available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through the West Gate on Blue Angel Parkway.
The National Naval Aviation Museum is open Monday-Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The museum is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Other operating hours:
- Hangar Bay One: Monday – Sunday – 9:15 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Flight Deck Store: Monday – Sunday – 10:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. Opens at 9:00 a.m. on Blue Angels practice days
- Cubi Bar Café: Tuesday – Saturday – 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Naval Aviation Memorial Giant Screen Theater: Open Monday – Sunday with movies beginning at 9:30 a.m.
What can’t I bring?
- No weapons (firearms/knives) allowed (to include Concealed Weapon Permit holders)
- No backpacks/coolers allowed (diaper bags or medically required bags are acceptable and subject to search)
- No alcoholic beverages allowed
- No drones allowed (countermeasures will be taken)
- Persons with felony convictions are not authorized base access
- No visitors with boats and boat trailers
- All vehicles and personnel are subject to security searches and background checks
Can non-U.S. citizens access NAS Pensacola?
Yes, but with stipulations. Non-U.S. Citizens are authorized to access but must be escorted by a U.S. citizen.The U.S. citizen will have a background check conducted upon arrival.
Non-U.S. Citizen visitors who have not been processed through the Foreign Visits System Confirmation Module (FVSCM) must be in possession and present a permanent Resident Card, Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form 1-551), or a foreign passport that contains a temporary 1-551 stamp or a temporary 1-551 printed notification on a Machine-Readable Immigrant Visa (MRIV).
Can I watch the Blue Angels practice?
For those who have access to Naval Air Station Pensacola, the National Naval Aviation Museum is opening the flight line behind the museum to view Blue Angels practice flight demonstrations. Gates open at 9:30 a.m. and the Blues are scheduled to take to the skies at 10:30 a.m.
Blue Angels 2023 practice schedule
- March- 28, 29
- April- 4, 5*, 11,12*, 18, 19*, 25, 26*
- May- 2, 3*, 9, 10*, 16, 17*, 31*
- June- 6,7*, 13, 14*, 20, 21, 27, 28*
- July- 11, 12, 25, 26*
- August- 1, 16*, 22, 23*, 29
- September- 6*, 12, 19
- October- 18*, 24, 25*
*Indicates Blue Angels autograph sessions in the museum.
Where to watch:Blue Angels 2023 practice schedule in Pensacola announced
What movies are playing?
The National Naval Aviation has a 325-seat giant screen theater that features a state-of-the-art motion picture projection with full 4K resolution.
Here’s what’s currently playing:
Magic of Flight
- Runtime: 40 minutes
- Showtimes: 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
- Fly with the Blues and experience the thrill of cruising the skies at Mach speed. Featuring cutting edge aerial photography, this is the story of human potential and the importance of training and performance. Narrated by Tom Selleck.
Aircraft Carrier
- Runtime: 25 minutes
- Showtimes: 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.
- The mission to protect and defend the world’s oceans has become far more complex and challenging in recent years, and naval aviation has become increasingly vital to success. One of the greatest engineering feats in history, the modern U.S. nuclear carrier is a masterpiece of technology, and the flagship of the fleet. With RIMPAC, the world’s largest and most comprehensive international maritime training exercise providing a stunning visual context for the story, find yourself aboard the carrier alongside the 5,000 highly skilled sea and air personnel conducting flight operations in the midst of the simulated war exercises taking place there. Rarely has there been a topic so visually suited and compelling for giant screen theaters.
Ticket Prices:
- Adult: $11
- Senior (62 and Older): $10. Military
- (Active Duty w/ID, Retired w/ID, VA w/ID): $10 Youth (Ages 5 to 17): $8.50
- Child (4 and under):FREE
Combo Savers: Admission to any two movies.
- Adult: $20
- Youth/Senior/Member/Military: $18
Tickets can be purchased here.
Why was the National Naval Aviation closed to civilians?
NAS Pensacola closed public access after the 2019 terrorist attack on the base that left three dead and injured eight others. The waiver that allowed the base to have an exception to the access policy for Department of Defense installations was set to expire the same month as the attack. The Navy opted to allow the waiver to expire, setting up the complicated process to restore access.
Where can civilians go on NAS Pensacola?
While on base, the public will be limited to visiting the Pensacola Lighthouse, Fort Barrancas and the National Naval Aviation Museum. Access to the Barrancas National Cemetery is still limited to family members of interred who must access the base through the main gate at the Visitor Control Center.
