News Center

Late Friday afternoon, we received sad news that longtime volunteer and docent Bob Young and his grandson were critically injured in a horrific gas explosion that destroyed Bob’s home.   Bob and his wife Dotty were among our most active volunteers.  Dotty worked the admissions desk until a series of strokes confined her to long term care.  Bob, a WW II veteran, was a colorful docent with a twinkle in his eye, who loved to regale visitors with stories about his service.  We ask that you keep the Young family in your thoughts and prayers throughout this tragic time.

Mike Hall, President/CEO of Wings of Eagles Discovery Center

With the tragic loss of astronaut Sally Ride our country and those of us dedicated to education in particular have lost a champion, role model and true national hero. As Wings of Eagles Discovery Center celebrates the success of our Summer of Innovation programs it is only proper we pause to recognize the groundbreaking courage demonstrated by astronaut Sally Ride. We owe her a debt of gratitude and inspiration.

-Mike Hall, President/CEO of Wings of Eagles Discovery Center

“I would like to take a moment of your time to update you on the progress we are making toward opening Wings of Eagles Discovery Center to the public. It has been a long, difficult journey over the past two years and I apologize for the many delays we have experienced.

In fact, we first planned to open our doors to the public in October 2011. But then we slipped through a series of opening dates, each confidently predicted, then cast aside as a host of problems with construction scheduling took their toll. It wasn’t anyone’s fault. Our project was complex from the beginning, as we purchased our new home from Elmira Savings Bank, who had obtained the property through the business failure of the previous owner. Parcels had to be merged, roads had to be built and a host of subcontractors lined up to do the necessary renovations. Jim Penwell of Streeter Associates did a masterful job of juggling and without his expertise we still wouldn’t be where we are today.

We “moved in” during June. A herculean effort by staff and volunteers handled some 40 loads from storage and began the tedious job of placing it around the display hangar. Their tireless effort allowed us to open the doors to education on July 9th, when our “Summer of Innovation” students began to arrive. We have close to 400 registered for this suite of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) courses and it’s great to hear their excited voices bringing life to the building!

While classes occupy half the floor, we continue to work on the other side to mount our display boards, place books on shelves and generally prepare to receive our aircraft. The latter will be a big event in August! We will be looking for sponsorship for each aircraft that will make the trek through the airport fence, across the ditch and road, through the field and finally arrive in our new parking lot. It should be quite a show!

So when will we open to the public? Well, this is probably my third or fourth prediction, but I’m sticking with Labor Day weekend! We will get you some updates as we get closer. So please save the date and we will look forward to welcoming you soon!”

-Mike Hall, President/CEO of Wings of Eagles Discovery Center

President Mike Hall of Wings of Eagles Discovery Center commented today that the Discovery Center’s 12 foot replica of Space Shuttle Endeavor on loan from the National Soaring Museum will journey from storage at the Soaring Museum to the new home of Wings of Eagles Discovery Center. This mirror Space Shuttle “flight” follows with the delivery of Endeavor and Enterprise to Washington, DC and New York City bringing focus and attention to the reopening of Wings of Eagles Discovery Center. “This culminates 18 months of volunteer effort to build and reopen a regional destination attraction. Special thanks to County Executive Tom Santulli and his team as we reach this important milestone.” Wings of Eagles Discovery Center will be open on a limited basis starting in July for the Summer of Innovation educational programs.

“The Wings of Eagles Discovery Center will close to the public on March 6^th 2012, to begin relocation next door to our new, permanent home at 339 Daniel Zenker Drive.  We expect to reopen later this year.  The exact date will be determined by the impact of weather on paving and other final construction details, as well as the movement of our aircraft to their new home.  Throughout this process, we will provide regular updates through our web site, which is also undergoing a major re-design.  We appreciate your patience and look forward to welcoming you to our new home.  Thank you for your continuing support!”

-Mike Hall, President/CEO of Wings of Eagles Discovery Center

“Today we are closing another chapter in the history of the National Warplane Museum, now the Wings of Eagles Discovery Center.  Over a decade ago our organization relocated from Geneseo, NY to a large new facility on the Elmira- Corning Regional Airport.  From the beginning there were financial challenges.  Successive airshows were weathered out,  utility costs went through the roof and the market was beginning to change as the number of men and women who grew up with and loved our aircraft began to decline.

Our answer was to reduce the size of our organization, change our name and begin focusing on education.  Expanding our collection to include space artifacts , we began to teach Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to a new generation.

No mission could be more important.

During the midpoint of the last century, “America’s  Greatest Generation”, saved the world from totalitarian rule.  We have honored their service with our collection.  But today, our Nation faces new challenges of an even greater magnitude.  Issues of energy and environment will determine our future.  Our national security and economy depend on technology, yet we are failing to educate the new generation of entrepreneurial innovators that we need to remain a superpower in a flattening, overcrowded world.  Failing so miserably that our young people do not even rank in the top ten in STEM capability among industrialized countries of the world.  Failure to reverse this trend will be disastrous.

To support our new mission, we needed new, affordable facilities –  a critical part of a sustainable business plan based on STEM education.  At the same time, aerospace giant Sikorsky was looking to expand their presence in our community.  The result was a deal that has moved us just down the road, to a new location that is far better suited to our new mission.

You will find us down the street at 343 Daniel Zenker Drive in Horseheads, NY, across from the Airport Park campus of Corning Community College.  Our presence there will expand as our new facilities become available.

In the coming weeks, we will reveal more of the exciting displays and programs that will define our transformation.  Please plan to visit us, enjoy our museum and join in our effort to ensure that our community has access to the best STEM education available.”

– Mike Hall, President / CEO