TULSA — The Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium has opened the Discovery Center with an MD-80 aircraft donated by American Airlines.
Monday's opening ends a three-year-long project that turned the aircraft into a multipurpose facility that will be used to promote the adventure, innovation, imagination, and opportunity associated with flight.
The Discovery Center featuring the MD-80 will initially be used for educational presentations, meetings and events.
The aircraft's cockpit remains in original condition so museum visitors have a pilot's eye view of the instruments that control the airplane. The cabin has been reconfigured but still includes 24 first-class cabin seats. The remaining cabin area is open for student presentations or corporate meetings.
The aircraft was donated to the museum in 2011 after logging 75,120 flight hours.