LOS ANGELES AIRPORT AND FLIGHT PATH LEARNING CENTER CELEBRATE LAX"S OCT. 1, 1928, 75TH ANNIVERSARY WITH MUSEUM OPENING AND MAJOR AIRPORT HISTORICAL EXHIBITION
(Los Angeles, California -- October 1, 2003) Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) and non-profit Flight Path Learning Center will celebrate the Oct. 1, 1928, 75th anniversary of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) with the opening of a major exhibition of airport historical memorabilia during "A Celebration of Flight," a private gala dinner tonight that also marks the grand opening of Flight Path's new museum. Housed in the LAX Imperial Terminal, the new museum and special exhibition opens to the public Oct. 7.
The exhibition features an array of aviation memorabilia, including historic photos, murals, aircraft models and other artifacts -- many never before displayed. The exhibition showcases the development of LAX since its opening as Mines Field on Oct. 1, 1928, as well as the 100th anniversary of the first powered flight by the Wright Brothers on Dec. 17, 1903. Colorful exhibits include salutes to early airlines and aircraft manufacturers at LAX. A special area commemorates World War II military and manufacturing activities at the airport.
LAWA, the Los Angeles City agency that owns and operates LAX and three other Southern California airports, cooperated with non-profit Flight Path to develop the center and its collection.
"The Flight Path Learning Center provides a place for residents and visitors of all ages to see the impact of aviation on the development of Southern California's past, present and future,"
said Kim Day, LAWA interim executive director. "Flight Path's main gallery also offers an impressive view of today's LAX and its many important activities during its 75 years, as well as its significant impact on the region's economic growth."
The LAX 75th anniversary exhibits will be previewed this evening during a private gala dinner to be attended by 400 guests. The "Celebration of Flight" dinner program will honor several aviation pioneers: the late entertainer Bob Hope, who logged a record number of air miles from LAX on USO tours to entertain troops; Capt. Lillian Kinkella Keil, the most decorated flight nurse in U.S. military history; Jerome Lederer, benefactor of the Flight Safety Foundation; the late Clifton A. Moore, longtime LAWA executive director and an authority on international airport management; John Myers, former Northrop Aircraft chief test pilot; and Marsha Toy, nationally recognized aviation educator. The program also will include presentation of Flight Path's Charles "Pete" Conrad Scholarship to a student interested in a career in the aviation/aerospace industry.
Event proceeds are earmarked for Flight Path's future development and educational programs, according to Rowena Ake, president of the Flight Path board of directors. Planned are school tours, archival research and career-oriented speakers and counseling. Flight Path's educational outreach includes placement of sidewalk plaques in the Westchester community business district saluting aviation pioneers.
"This is our seventh fundraising dinner, but the first in our new facility," said Ake, whose community-based organization has spent the past 10 years collecting memorabilia and seeking a permanent home for the collection. "At last we have a suitable home for the thousands of
aviation artifacts and research materials gathered over the years."
The Flight Path Learning Center at the LAX Imperial Terminal will be staffed by volunteers and will be open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
beginning Oct. 7. School and group tours will be conducted on Wednesdays by appointment. Research in the Flight Path aviation archives can be arranged by appointment. The center is located at 6661 West Imperial Highway, one block west of Sepulveda Boulevard. Free public parking is available immediately west of the facility. For further information, please call (310) 215-5291.
