An old favorite made even better is the DC-3 on exhibit adjacent to the main gallery.  The California Science Center, legal owner of the historic aircraft, recently signed an  agreement to keep the DC-3 at Flight Path.  Following the lease renewal, a refurbishment crew was brought in to wash and polish the aircraft and its two auxiliary ground vehicles, a tug and fuel truck. 

"The DC-3 is our most popular exhibit," said Flight Path President Rowena Ake.  "We do whatever it takes to keep it in tip-top shape for the education and enjoyment of our visitors."

The DC-3 was the mainstay of civil air transportation in the propeller era before World War II. Flight Path's DC-3 was manufactured at the Douglas Aircraft Co. plant in Santa Monica in 1941.  After many years with Trans World Airlines, it was purchased by the Union Oil Company of California and used to transport the firm's executives.  In "retirement," the DC-3 was acquired by the California Science Center and displayed first at Hawthorne Airport before finding a home at Flight Path.

 Flight Simulator Program Grows 

The year 2012 also brings improvements to the Flight Path Flyers simulator training program.  New wiring and electronic linkages are being installed to better utilize recently purchased equipment.  Staffing has been expanded to enable the program to serve more students.  Joining popular longtime instructor Martell Bush on the teaching team is Doug Happ, a retired commercial airline pilot.  Ann Proctor and Jaqi Rascon from the Los Angeles World Airports Community Relations Division will handle administrative duties.  Vince Migliazzo will continue as liaison from the Flight Path Board of Directors. 

As 2012 approached, the program and its students received a major morale boost when Demetrius Ingram, age 16, became the first graduate to solo, on November 10 in a Piper Cherokee 140.  Ingram, a student at Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles, hopes to become a commercial airline pilot and flight instructor. 

The Flight Path Flyers program is open to both youngsters and adults. Pre-registration is required. For more information, please call Flight Path at (424) 646-7284.

 Major New Exhibit Planned 

Flight Path's main gallery, with its spectacular airfield view and impressive rotating collection of airline memorabilia, draws visitors back again and again. Flight Path recently was selected to host a major exhibit spotlighting design features of the new LAX Bradley West international terminal expansion.  The "Now Boarding" exhibit, presented in cooperation with Fentress Architects and Los Angeles World Airports, is scheduled to debut near the end of 2012 in advance of the planned opening of the terminal project in early 2013. A companion exhibit will be hosted at the Pacific Design Center in West Los Angeles with assistance from Flight Path staff. 

Bradley West will provide the most significant improvement in international passenger service at LAX since the original Tom Bradley International Terminal opened in 1984, the year of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.  The exhibit at Flight Path, with free admission and parking, will offer an easy way for the public to preview and understand the full scope of the Bradley West project. 

 Speaker Series Continues 

Flight Path's Speaker Series, so well received in 2011 and previous years, will continue in 2012 with a schedule of new programs.  One program, being developed with Fentress Architects, will introduce the major "Now Boarding" design exhibit of the Bradley West terminal expansion.  Other programs will include a special salute to the Tuskegee Airman, the pioneering African-American aviators who distinguished themselves in World War II.  More information will be posted on the Flight Path website and in local news media as program dates are finalized. Speaker Series programs are open to the public. Admission and parking are free.