Korean Air’s donated Boeing 747 aircraft at the California Science Centre’s Korean Air Aviation Gallery is being transformed into a hands-on educational exhibit.
The double-decker, wide-body flagship aircraft operated with the airline from 1994 to 2014, completing 13,842 flights and logging 86,095 flight hours and played a pivotal role in expanding international air travel and supporting the airline’s growth into a leading global carrier.
“For more than five decades, Los Angeles has served as a second home for Korean Air, and we are proud to support the California Science Centre’s mission of innovation,” Walter Cho, Chairman and CEO of Korean Air and Hanjin Group commented at the unveiling event.
“Our vision for the Korean Air Aviation Gallery is to spark curiosity and wonder in the next generation. By showcasing the science and imagination behind flight, we want to inspire young visitors to become the pilots, engineers, and innovators of tomorrow.”
The airline says the 747 Experience at the centre will feature a simulated flight from Los Angeles to Seoul, Korea, in the 747 Experience Theatre; a Wind Tunnels Exhibit where guests will experiment in a wind tunnel lab and “Wear-A-Wing” to understand the forces that make planes fly; and the Design a Plane Exhibit where guests will experiment with aircraft design, wing shape and parachute launches while learning how planes are engineered for different flight missions.
Visitors will be able to explore the aircraft inside and out through interactive displays highlighting:
- Landing gear and wheel mechanics
- Exposed hydraulic systems and internal structural frameworks
- Belly cargo loading operations
- An interactive cockpit display
- Virtual flight experiences detailing aerodynamic principles
- Aviation careers, including flight operations, cabin crew, air traffic control, and maintenance
- The Boeing 747’s transformative impact on global aviation history
“We are delighted to celebrate the installation of the first artifacts in the future Korean Air Aviation Gallery, including the Korean Air Boeing 747-400, and to have Walter Cho, Chairman of Korean Air, here with us to mark this milestone, ” said Jeffrey Rudolph, President and CEO of the California Science Centre.
“Together, we are creating a one-of-a-kind educational resource that will benefit not only the children and youth of our shared Los Angeles community but will inspire future generations of scientists, engineers, explorers from across the globe. We are deeply grateful to our colleagues at Korean Air for their tremendous generosity and partnership in creating a world-class science learning experience in our future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Centre.”
