Aerospace Education Center Flight Works Alabama to Open

Three years after Gov. Kay Ivey and Airbus officials announced a plan to create a new multipurpose aerospace education facility in Mobile, Flight Works Alabama will open to the public on Aug. 4.

Envisioned as both a tourism attraction and a space for workforce education and training, Flight Works’ major initial funding included a $5 million allocation from the state and a $1.5 million Airbus contribution “from AIDT reimbursements for job training.” Mobile County, Baldwin County and the city of Mobile also have committed hundreds of thousands of dollars to support programs to be offered through Flight Works.

According to a notice issued Monday by Flight Works, the 15,000-square-foot facility “was created to inspire, educate, and equip the future aviation workforce throughout the region.” It will feature more than 40 exhibits “with a heavy emphasis on commercial jet aircraft of the type manufactured at the nearby Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility.”

Exhibits include simulators that allow visitors to see what it’s like to fly an Airbus A320 or to take a spacewalk on the International Space Station. Flight Works also contains classroom, workshop and fabrication areas to “provide the educational infrastructure necessary to educate and train potential future aviation workers — from middle school age to veteran industry professionals.”

Flight Works Alabama is located at the corner of Aerospace Drive and South Broad Street in the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley. It is near the Michigan Street exit on I-10. Visitor parking is free, and handicap and bus parking are available.

Admission is $13.50 for visitors age 10 and older, $9 for children ages 4-9 and free for children 3 and under. Eventually, tours of the nearby Airbus Final Assembly Line will be offered for an additional $10. Expected hours are 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays.

“Aerospace is a premier industry, filled with innovative developments and high demand jobs, which are sought after by every state,” Ivey said in Monday’s announcement. “Flight Works Alabama will become a hub to explore the opportunities of this industry. As our state continues to grow this sector, we must show Alabamians all the aerospace industry can offer them, today and in the years ahead.”

“Success for Airbus, and any company, means we can’t just look at what we’re doing now; we need to look at what we need later -- whether it be next year, next decade, or the next five decades,” said Jeff Knittel, Airbus Americas Chairman and CEO. “What Airbus and other companies in our industry need to be successful in the future is a skilled, knowledgeable workforce that is ready for that future. Flight Works Alabama will help us create that workforce in a fun, creative way.”

For more information, visit www.flightworksalabama.com.

———

Visit Alabama Media Group, Birmingham at www.al.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.