Korean Air Lines said on the 13th that Cho Won-tae, chairman of Hanjin Group, visited the Korean Air Aviation Gallery at the California Science Center.
The chairman's visit was made on the 12th (local time) at the invitation of a commemorative ceremony at the California Science Center, and Jeffrey Rudolph, chief executive officer (CEO) of the California Science Center, key officials, and local media also attended.
Korean Air Lines donated a Boeing 747-400 (HL7489) to the center. The double-deck wide-body passenger jet was introduced in 1994 and flew 13,842 times for a total of 86,095 hours until 2014.
Korean Air Lines and the center plan to repurpose the aircraft's first and second decks, belly cargo, and the wheel section including the landing gear into an exhibition space that visitors of all ages can enjoy. They will also run hands-on programs inside the aircraft.
Through this, they plan to deliver information to visitors about aircraft, including how the landing gear and wheels operate, the hydraulic system and internal airframe structure, the belly cargo loading method, and cargo-loading containers. In addition, they will offer a cockpit interactive exhibit, virtual flight experiences, and explanations of operating principles.
In a commemorative address, Cho said, "For more than 50 years, Los Angeles has been like a second home for Korean Air Lines," adding, "Korean Air Lines is proud to support the California Science Center."
He added, "The "Korean Air Lines Aviation Gallery" aims to inspire young people to grow into future pilots, engineers, and innovators by revealing the science and imagination behind flight."
In addition to the B747 aircraft donated by Korean Air Lines, the "Korean Air Lines Aviation Gallery" displays more than 20 aircraft on the ground and in the air, including the Grumman F-11 Tiger (the U.S. Navy's first supersonic fighter) and the Convair F-106A Delta Dart (the fastest single-engine turbojet-powered airplane) from the California Science Center's collection.