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Aerotech News
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Flight Test Foundation seeks to do STEM right
by Larry Grooms calls, “the appropriate place for the most sig-
special to Aerotech News and Review nificant aerospace educational location in the
United States.”
PALMDALE, Calif. — The Aerospace Val- Thompson said that as of midday May 6, he
ley’s Flight Test Museum Foundation is staking hadn’t received responses from Palmdale city
its claim to receive an estimated $1.2 million in hall officials.
assets expected to be salvaged from the discred- The outreach began the week of April 26 af-
ited and shuttered AERO Institute in Palmdale. ter a Los Angeles Superior Court judge ordered
In response to an inquiry from Aerotech the AERO Institute funds to be unfrozen, fol-
News and Review on May 5, Art Thompson, lowing former Palmdale mayor Jim Ledford’s
chairman of the Flight Test Museum Founda- guilty plea to one count of perjury. Ledford,
tion Board of Directors, said the volunteer-led 67, was sentenced to formal probation for two
nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization is qualified and years and ordered to pay $189,800 in restitution
positioned to meet and exceed educational roles to NASA, or a NASA-affiliated entity.
tasked to AERO Institute. It was reported that while the L.A. County
Thompson, chairman of the foundation exec- District Attorney’s office said NASA was en-
utive board and founder/CEO of Sage/Cheshire titled to about $1.8 million in restitution from
Aerospace, said the foundation is already reach- remaining AERO Institute assets, AERO In-
ing out to elected city, county, state and federal stitute attorney Russ Petti stated there was no
officials to declare their support for what he court determination that NASA is entitled to
Courtesy photograph
The now-defunct AERO Institute in Palmdale, Calif. The Aerospace Valley’s Flight Test Museum
Foundation is hoping to gain an estimated $1.2 million in assets expected to be salvaged from the
discredited and shuttered AERO Institute.
AERO Institute funds. “The mission of the Flight Test Museum
After settling debts, remaining unfrozen Foundation is to raise funds to support the de-
AERO Institute assets are estimated to total velopment of the Air Force Flight Test (AFFT)
about $1.2 million for donation to an “appropri- Museum at Edwards AFB, California and the
ate charity,” believed to be a nearby, 501(c)(3) museum’s Blackbird Airpark Annex at USAF
non-profit whose mission involves aerospace Plant 42 in nearby Palmdale.
education with emphasis on science, technol- “The Foundation’s fund-raising efforts fo-
ogy, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). cus primarily on museum improvements, new
According to Thompson, the Flight Test Mu- construction, exhibits, aircraft acquisition and
seum Foundation, which recently completed the restoration, and educational programs.”
foundation for the new museum building, needs Thompson told Aerotech News and Review in
about $350,000 to quickly complete the build- a May 6 telephone interview that timing of fund
ing’s shell. The project involves moving the distribution can provide a force multiplier in
Flight Test Museum from its 8,500-square-foot achieving multiple benefits.
space on Edwards AFB to a 75,000-square-foot Thompson said he envisions the Flight Test
location just outside the West Gate. There will
Courtesy photograph be more space for the current aircraft collection, Museum Foundation “doing for education
Concrete is poured for the foundation of the future of the Air Force Flight Test Museum in June 2020. a STEM Education Center, and easier public what Barnes & Noble bookstores did for pub-
When complete, the project will include a 75,000-square-foot building just outside the Edwards access. lic libraries.” Browse the bookshelves, have a
Air Force Base West Gate that will include more space for the current aircraft collection, a STEM cup of coffee and good conversations. Beyond
Education Center and easier public access. In bold print on the home page of the foundation
website is the following Mission Statement: See MUSEUM, Page 2
AlwAys free Access!
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