by Donald Wood
Last updated: 12:51 PM ET, Mon April 20, 2015
Image via Twitter
Boeing is one of the largest airplane manufacturers in the world, and the company donated one of the first 787-8 Dreamliners ever built to the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona, in a ceremony that took place Friday.
According to Boeing, community leaders and public officials were in the Tucson area to witness the official dedication of the airplane, called the ZA002. It was the second 787-8 ever produced, and was used as a test plane, focusing on systems performance.
The plane took its first flight on Dec. 22, 2009, and was part of a fleet of six planes used to fully test and certify the new 787-8 Dreamliners Boeing was producing. Now, the aircraft will be used as a learning tool for students and museum visitors.
Boeing commercial airplanes president and CEO, Ray Conner, released a statement about why the company chose Tucson and the Pima Air & Space Museum:
"Boeing has a strong presence in Arizona and is proud to share this important achievement in aviation history with the community, our employees and visitors. The Pima Air & Space Museum is a world-class facility and has been a great partner throughout the years. It's the perfect location to showcase this pioneering airplane."
The festivities surrounding the Pima Air & Space Museum and the Dreamliner donation also featured some marquee guests, including Arizona governor Doug Ducey, United States representative Martha McSally, Boeing's Ron Hinderberger, and museum board chairman Count Ferdinand von Galen.
As if the addition of a 787-8 Dreamliner to the museum wasn't enough to build excitement, curators also announced the new "Women in Flight" exhibit which will pay homage to the achievements of female aviators.
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