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The DC-8 was the first and largest flying science laboratory for 37 years. | Logan Ramsey, EastIdahoNews.com

POCATELLO – The engines of a historic research plane roared as it flew low to its new home.

On Wednesday, this DC-8, which belonged to NASA and served as the first and largest flying science laboratory for 37 years, landed in the ISU Aircraft Maintenance Program hangar. Now ISU students will have the opportunity to prepare for their field by training on this aircraft.

“This aircraft has served as a premier flight science laboratory, contributing to groundbreaking research, and now it is embarking on a new journey here at Idaho State University that will greatly impact our students and their futures,” said ISU President Robert Wagner .

While many people think of rockets when they think of NASA, the organization’s research extends beneath the stars. For nearly four decades, the DC-8 has assisted scientists in their research by collecting useful data.

“I’ve been part of missions where we do air quality research, so we fly low over big cities like New York and Chicago to get air quality data,” said Kirsten Boogaard, deputy project manager for the DC-8 four years old, in an interview with EastIdahoNews.com.

NASA also runs a Student Air Exploration Program where students will board a DC-8 and learn how to conduct scientific research.

“We always have students doing real-time research for their papers, dissertations, real-time work on the plane,” Boogaard said.

Taylor McWane, product support manager at NASA’s Logistics Management Division headquarters, said it was a difficult decision to black out an aircraft that had served NASA for so long.

“You have to analyze the budget and decide, ‘Does NASA have the resources to keep this older platform operating for the next few years?'” And often times you have to make that tough decision and say no, McWane said.

So how did this research plane end up in the hands of an Idaho university?

The receipt of this donation, the largest ever made by the federal government of the state, was initiated by Ed Foster, clinical instructor and coordinator in the College of Technology.

“His hard work and commitment helped make this day possible, and we are incredibly grateful for his efforts,” Wagner said.

Wagner also thanked Alan Evans — ISU alumnus and Pocatello Regional Airport manager — as well as the entire airport staff.

College of Technology Dean Jerry Anhorn first became aware of the prospect of obtaining the plane when he received an email from Foster.

“Hey, suppose we can get this plane?” Anhorn said the email was read. “And it stands here today.”

But Foster’s work began many months before that when he learned that Idaho had been selected by the federal government to receive the plane. To do this, Foster and Evans had to coordinate their actions to make sure they would have enough room to contain him.

ISU was the only organization in Idaho that applied to receive the donation, Foster said, so if they hadn’t been able to get it, the DC-8 would have gone to another state.

Anhorn said the College of Technology prides itself on a hands-on approach to education, so getting this aircraft was a key moment.

“This is more than just an improvement in learning. This is the preparation for real world challenges. The DC-8 will serve as an integral part of our curriculum where students will perform actual maintenance and repair tasks,” said Anhorn.

Foster is excited that his students will have the opportunity to train on the DC-8.

“It’s actually rare for programs like ours across the country to have one because most people still want to use these airplanes, so we’re very happy and excited about that,” Foster said.

Boogaard said that during its time in use, the DC-8 has benefited education and she is happy to see it continue to serve students.

“Now (it’s) going to continue this for future generations on the aircraft maintenance side, and I think that’s a really beautiful thing,” Boogaard told EastIdahoNews.com.