For the first time ever, four Hurricane Hunter aircraft will be visiting Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) for a public event. Hurricane experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Air Force will visit to talk with our community to raise awareness of our local threats from  tropical cyclones, and the danger of being caught without a personal hurricane plan.

Hurricane Hunter pilots and crew from NOAA and USAF, as well as Dr. Rick Knabb (Director of the National Hurricane Center/NHC), NHC hurricane specialists, and meteorologists from our local NWS forecast office will all be on hand to educate residents of vulnerable communities about hurricane preparedness, and will be available for interviews.

Staff from local and state emergency management offices, non-profit organizations such as the American Red Cross, NOAA & FEMA, and other partners will be a part of the event.

Community groups, media, elected officials, and the public are invited to participate and tour the aircraft and exhibits. Public tours will start at 2:00 p.m. Gates will close at 4:30 pm, but those inside will have until 5:00 p.m. to tour. Registration is not required for the public tours; those wishing to visit this event can simply show up any time between 2:00 and 4:30 pm. No backpacks or large bags permitted. Any attendee may have their bag searched.

For more information, visit the NOAA Hurricane Hunters Tour website.

Directions

By Metro

Reagan National is located on the Blue and Yellow Line. Options for transit from the Reagan National Metrorail station to the Commercial Aviation / Signature Aviation hangar include:

1. Bus from the Metro Curb: Free "Special Event" shuttle buses will be running from the interior Metro curb (between the Terminal parking decks and the Metrorail station) to Shuttle Bus Stop 9 in front of the Signature Aviation hangar.
2. Bus from Terminals B/C: Board a free Airport Shuttle bus for "Economy Parking" or "Employee" from the Baggage Claim level.  Both will take you towards General Aviation. Get off at Stop 9, in front of the Signature Air terminal.
3. Walk: It's a little more than a half of a mile. Walk through National Hall towards Terminal A. Exit Terminal A and turn left to head south towards South Airport Services and General Aviaition. The next long hangar building that is just past Terminal A runs along Thomas Avenue. At the end of that long building, on the left, is the event, next to Shuttle Bus Stop 9.

By Car

Follow South Airport Services / Economy Parking signs to navigate into the airport Economy Lot. You will have to pay $17 for your parking. The northwest end of that surface parking lot is directly next to the event at the Signature Aviation hangar.When you park, you can either take a shuttle bus to Stop 9, or walk. Enter at the event entrance on the left/northwest side of the building next to Shuttle Bus Stop 9.