Copyright Photo: L. Apso. N234AA is lifted up on a trial lift.

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) is planning to donate its McDonnell Douglas DC-9-82 (MD-82) N234AA (msn 49181) to the George T. Baker Aviation School in Miami at 0100 (1 a.m.) on Tuesday morning, May 18 (see Update below). However there is only one minor problem. Due to a new ramp from the 112 Expressway to the airport terminal on Le Juene Road the school was cut off from the airport several years ago. In the past, this converted hangar was the first hangar used by National Airlines at Miami. In the distant past, each morning the automobile traffic would be stopped so the NA fleet overnighting at the hangar could taxi back to the airport for the first flights of the day.

This time the classic airliner will have to be gingerly lifted up and over the broad highway to the school where it will be worked on by aspiring aircraft mechanic students. The traffic will be stopped at this time for safety reasons. The life of N234AA will live on as a trainer for future students. N234AA was delivered new to AA on December 6, 1983.

Here is an article in the Miami Herald with more details on the donation and a video:

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/13/1628667/planes-road-trip-jet-faces-tricky.html

Update: Due to weather concerns, the move was delayed to the early morning hours of May 20. The move of N234AA was completed successfully and resides at the school.

Here is the American press release:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/American-Airlines-Donates-prnews-408162152.html?x=0&.v=1

Copyright Photo: L. Apso. N234AA is lifted up on the crane on a practice trial lift during the daylight.