Discovery Center Launched at Tulsa Air and Space Museum

 

The Discovery Center, featuring an MD-80 aircraft donated to the museum by American Airlines, will initially serve as a facility for educational presentations, meetings and events, according to Mary Smith Crofts, museum executive director.

 

“We already have several events scheduled, including corporate meetings and children’s parties,” Crofts said in a news release. “The Discovery Center really offers an exclusive experience that inspires creativity while providing a great connection to aviation.”

 

Crofts said the cockpit remains in its original conditions, providing museum guests with a pilot’s eye view of the instruments that control the airplane. The cabin has been reconfigured to accommodate a broad range of uses, but includes 24 first-class cabin seats. The remaining cabin area is open to provide maximum flexibility for student presentations or corporate meetings, according to Crofts.

 

A full galley is located at the aft of the airplane along with a handicap accessible restroom.

 

Donated to the museum in 2011 after logging 75,120 flight hours, the MD-80 was manufactured by McDonnell Douglas Boeing Commercial Airplanes. American Airlines purchased the aircraft, with tail number N259AA, in 1985, and it saw 39,968 landings before its retirement in April 2011. Between 1979-1999, there were 1,191 MD-80s introduced into commercial service, with the unit cost at the time ranging from $41.5 million to $48.5 million. The MD-80 arrived at the museum one year ago and was lifted over the airport fence and placed at its current location at the museum, Crofts said.

 

Carmine Romano, board president for the TASM, said the team of individuals and corporations responsible for bringing the aircraft to the museum should be commended for their assistance in this effort.