Aug. 16, 2018
Denver-based non-profit Wings Over the Rockies recently opened the Exploration of Flight campus at Centennial Airport (APA) in Englewood, CO, aiming to provide inspiring and educational opportunities for visitors of all ages.
“Our mission is to educate and inspire all people about aviation and space endeavors past, present and future,” said Wings Over the Rockies President and CEO Maj. Gen. John L. Barry. “Exploration of Flight is an evolution of our organization, which among other benefits, gives our organization a presence at two locations in Denver.”
The Boeing Blue Sky Aviation Gallery provides visitors with a number of interactive flight-related experiences and exhibits. Its location on an active ramp at APA gives visitors an opportunity to observe actual flight activities in real-time, while realistic flight simulators allow hands-on experience, and airport experts provide behind-the-scenes guided tours of the airport.
In addition to the permanent experiences and exhibits, the center will also highlight special guests and exhibits. For example, visitors on Aug. 11 were treated to tours of an F-16 when the Colorado National Guard joined Exploration of Flight for the day.
The center opened in July with the Boeing Blue Sky Aviation Gallery, which is just phase one of this exciting new aviation experience. When fully built-out, Exploration of Flight will incorporate 15 acres of educational opportunities. Construction of the Ozmen Black Sky Space Gallery, focusing on solar system and beyond, will begin in the next several years.
“This campus is unique to the nation,” explained Barry. “Alongside partners such as Boeing, Sierra Nevada Corporation and aviation and space leaders of tomorrow.”
The facility’s location on Centennial Airport is no coincidence, given that the airport contributes more than $1.3 billion in economic impact and supports over 7,000 jobs, making APA an obvious location for inspiring and educating future aviators and those interested in learning more about aviation.
“The ability for our Exploration of Flight campus to exist on the grounds of Centennial Airport is a huge benefit to both organizations,” said Barry. “They [APA] see the daily need for qualified pilots, air traffic controllers, mechanics and other personnel and understand that the path to solving the shortage runs through educating the next generation.”
The Boeing Blue Sky Aviation Gallery is open Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Learn more online at ExplorationOfFlight.org.