Aerospace Exhibition, Education Center Opens

Flight Works Alabama, a cooperation between the Airbus Foundation, the State of Alabama and a group of educational partners and commercial sponsors opened a new aerospace exhibition and education center at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley on August 4, Alabama Newscenter reported. The 15,000-ft2 aerospace exhibition and education center features more than 40 high-tech aviation and aerospace exhibits with a heavy emphasis on commercial jet aircraft manufactured at the nearby Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility. High school seniors can also apply for FlightPath9, a Flight Works program that includes up to 200 hr of technical and soft-skills instruction after school hours that will prepare students to enter the aerospace workforce upon graduation. In addition to virtual flight centers, spacewalks and teacher professional development programs, the facility offers specially designed workshops, classrooms and fabrication areas that offer 3D printing, sublimation and precision measurement education for middle-school-age children through veteran industry professionals. Certifications are also offered through the National Coalition of Certification Centers. These are nationally recognized and open to all ages. Flight Works Alabama’s 18,000-ft2 location is also home to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s newest campus.