PRESS RELEASE – Construction begins today on The Museum of Flight’s Aviation Pavilion – a structure that will cover more than 20 commercial and military airplanes once completed. Aircraft that will be moved to the Aviation Pavilion upon its completion include the Museum’s recently restored Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet, the 787 Dreamliner, Air Force One, the Concorde airliner and the B-17, B-29 and B-47 bombers.“Building a permanent cover will help us protect these treasures of aviation history for generations to come,” said Doug King, president and CEO of The Museum of Flight. “The cover will give museum members and visitors rain-or-shine, four-season access to these amazing airplanes.”
The covered gallery will be just a short walk away from the main Museum of Flight building on the site of the Museum’s former Airpark and visitor parking lot between the Charles Simonyi Space Gallery and Raisbeck Aviation High School (RAHS). Students at RAHS will have a bird’s eye view of the collection, which will function as a sort of learning playground for students. The school and the Museum have been partners in education since 2013. To compliment RAHS’ students’ access to the Museum’s archives and exhibits, they will now be able to look out the windows of their classrooms and see the aircraft in the neighboring Aviation Pavilion.“The Aviation Pavilion will greatly enhance the learning experience of not only RAHS students, but all visitors to the Museum,” said Museum of Flight Education Director Seth Margolis. “The ability to access and interact with such a wide variety and large number of historic aircraft in one place provides an opportunity for hands-on exploration that enriches learning and will inspire kids.”
The total cost of the project, about $31 million, is funded by private donations. Designed by SRG Partnership, Inc. and constructed by Sellen, the structure will cover an area greater than that of two football fields and will feature a roof that slopes from a height of 90 feet down to 55 feet. Construction is expected to be completed in the spring of 2016. The museum will open an exhibit spotlighting the aircraft under the new pavilion later that summer.
About the Museum of Flight
Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2015, the independent, non-profit Museum of Flight is one of the largest air and space museums in the world, serving more than 560,000 visitors annually. The Museum’s collection includes more than 160 historically significant airplanes and spacecraft, from the first fighter plane (1914) to today’s Dreamliner. Attractions also include the original Boeing Company factory, and the world’s only full-scale NASA Space Shuttle Trainer. The Museum’s aviation and space library and archives are the largest on the West Coast. More than 150,000 individuals are served annually by the Museum’s on-site and outreach educational programs. The Museum of Flight is accredited by the American Association of Museums, and is an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.
The Museum of Flight is located at 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle, Exit 158 off Interstate 5 on Boeing Field halfway between downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport. The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $20 for adults, $17 for seniors 65 and older, $17 for active military, $12 for youth 5 to 17, and free for children under 5. Group rates are available. Admission on the first Thursday of the month is free from 5 to 9 p.m. courtesy of Wells Fargo. McCormick & Schmick’s Wings Café is on site. For general Museum information, please call 206-764-5720 or visit www.museumofflight.org
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Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
I grew up on the west coast of BC, Lulu Island (Richmond to be exact) and Boeing has been a massive part of my life as I lived right beside Sea Island, (CYVR), Vancouver International. I have never been to the museum yet..and that will change this year! Thanks for being there Boeing, & “12”..Go seahawks!!