RETIRED JET TO WELCOME FANS AT LANCASTER BALLPARK.Byline: Jim Skeen Daily News Staff Writer Lancaster Municipal Stadium, The Hangar, will be getting a new tenant - a retired NASA NASA: see National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA in full National Aeronautics and Space Administration Independent U.S. F/A-18 jet that will be mounted at the ballpark's entrance. In a ceremony Thursday, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center The Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC), located inside Edwards Air Force Base, is an aeronautical research center operated by NASA. On March 26, 1976 it was named in honor of the late Hugh L. Director Ken Szalai gave Lancaster Mayor Frank Roberts Frank Roberts may refer to:
``We're happy to be able to loan the aircraft to the city of Lancaster The City of Lancaster (2002 population: 133,914) is a local government district with city status in Lancashire, England. Its main town is Lancaster, from which it obtained its city status. Other towns in the district include Morecambe, Heysham, Slyne, and Carnforth. ,'' Szalai said during the ceremony at Dryden. ``It is recognition of strong community support for aerospace activities and for NASA in particular.'' The airplane can serve as inspiration of what is possible with education, Roberts said. ``We hope it inspires them on to great things,'' Roberts said. The aircraft is scheduled to be mounted March 4 on a 28-foot-tall pedestal at The Hangar. When mounted, the aircraft will stand 39 feet tall at its highest point and its lowest wingtip will be 11 feet off the ground. The project is estimated to cost about $30,000 and is being financed through donations by businesses and individuals. The airplane was originally a Navy fighter. It was sent to Dryden in 1987 and was used as a chase aircraft during research missions. Chase aircraft follow test aircraft during missions, providing an ``extra set of eyes'' for the research test pilot. The chase aircraft are often used to photograph and videotape research missions. ``We hope it gives continued good service and inspiration in its next career,'' said Dryden test pilot Ed Schneider. Another Dryden aircraft, a retired F-104 jet, is on display at Lockheed Martin ``Skunk skunk, name for several related New World mammals of the weasel family, characterized by their conspicuous black and white markings and use of a strong, highly offensive odor for defense. Works'' Plant 10 in Palmdale. Lockheed built the F-104. |
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