New life for the “Gray Ghost”
A Boeing-donated fuselage is reborn as an aerospace manufacturing training lab, launching careers in the industry.
Edmonds college student James Hahn poses in the newly opened training lab. (Boeing photo)
Formerly used to train thousands of Boeing teammates, the 12-ton fuselage section of a 767, nicknamed “The Gray Ghost,” now serves a similar role for Puget Sound area students.
The big picture: College students in 12-week certificate programs are now training in the donated Boeing fuselage.
- “The lab is located at the Washington Aerospace Training and Research Center (WATR), part of Edmonds College’s facilities at Paine Field in Everett, Washington.”
Why it matters: The donation is part of Boeing’s commitment to the community and investment in the future. It provides students with a real-world environment for hands-on training before entering the aerospace workforce.
Getting the job: Students who complete programs can work with the Edmonds College staff to launch their aerospace careers. Assistance includes help with resume writing, job searching and connections to the Boeing Pre-Employment Training Program (BPET).
What they’re saying: James Hahn, a student who earned his Manufacturing Assembly Mechanic Certificate last month has already accepted a position with Boeing.
“I’m mechanically inclined and one of my dad’s friends recommended the program to me,” said Hahn. “I liked the idea of working on planes, so I went for it and I’m glad that I did. I’m ready to get started.”
Brian Wilson, a facilitator at WATR, trains the students while working alongside them.
"I'd match these students up with any new hire in training right now,” said Wilson. “They'd do just fine. They've got the jump."
Go Deeper:
Facilitator Brian Wilson trains student Luvji Singh. (Boeing photo)
Students Amy Y-B and Luvji Singh getting hands-on training in the fuselage. (Boeing photo)
By Paul Custodio
