Patty Wagstaff thrilled the crowd with an inverted low altitude pass to cut the ribbon, signifying the opening of the Bird Aviation & Inventors Museum.
More than 350 guests celebrated the opening of the Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center at Dr. Forrest and Pam Bird’s spectacular lodge and grounds near Sandpoint, Idaho, July 6-8. The first evening guests were treated to a wonderful dinner, where special guests were introduced, including Tex Hill, Clay Lacy, Joe Clark (owner of Aviation Partners) and NASA astronaut John Grunfelds.
The next morning, on Saturday, July 7, the museum officially opened with Patty Wagstaff cutting the ribbon dramatically at the end of the runway of Bird’s special landing strip near the museum. More than 500 guests, including many who flew in, were on hand to watch the festivities. Many of the townspeople have watched the Bird compound grow over the past 35 years. Dr. Forrest Bird, a Living Legend of Aviation honoree, has been featured in Airport Journals several times, and is best known for inventing the heart-lung machine and the Baby Bird respirator, which has saved hundreds of thousands of lives. “60 Minutes” is doing a special on Dr. Bird and his contributions to humanity and aviation this month. His manufacturing plant meticulously produces and repairs these machines at his compound. The Birds have created a most remarkable museum of aviation and inventions in one of the most beautiful settings imaginable.
To read the full story, visit [http://www.airportjournals.com].
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- Drs. Forrest and Pam Bird hosted more than 350 guests during the opening of the Bird Aviation & Inventors Museum.
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- The first level of the museum had lots of planes, cars and items to enjoy.
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- Patty Wagstaff visits with Tex Hill.
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- Guests included NASA Hubble space walker John Mace Grunsfeld, Tex Hill and Clay Lacy.
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- It was a beautiful day to enjoy the many attractions at the Bird Museum.
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- Joe Clark and Dr. Bird renewed an old friendship. Clark and Bill Lear delivered Bird’s first Lear 24 to him in 1964.
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- Clay Lacy enjoyed his conversation with Tex Hill.
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- Inventors and aviators signed books and photos.
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- Patty Wagstaff entertained Dr. Bird and the crowd with a surprise appearance and spectacular show.
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- Patty Wagstaff spoke by radio to Dr. Bird and the crowd, announcing some of her special maneuvers.
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- The museum is situated on the Birds’ 300-acre compound.
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- John Mace Grunsfeld presents a NASA Hubble spacewalk picture to Pam and Forrest Bird.
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- L to R: Chris “Boomer” Wilson, who holds the distinction of the most record carrier landings, enjoys meeting Clay Lacy, who holds the record of more flight hours than anyone else on the planet, and John Mace Grunsfeld, NASA astronaut.
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- Jerry Lips enjoyed the museum dedication.