Boeing flight crew prepares for Freedom Plane launch

Do cool things: Boeing employees are not just connecting, protecting and exploring our world and beyond; they're transporting history. 

In partnership with the National Archives and National Archives Foundation, Boeing is supporting the National Archives Freedom Plane National Tour with a Boeing 737 in Freedom Plane livery. 

• As the U.S. commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Freedom Plane National Tour is a celebration #TeamBoeing is helping make possible. 

Why it matters: On March 2, the National Archives Freedom Plane National Tour will make its inaugural flight from Washington D.C. to Kansas City, Missouri. The plane will deliver nine Founding-era documents to the National WWI Museum and Memorial, connecting Americans with the foundational ideals of our nation.

• Onboard and behind the scenes of each of the eight stops, Boeing pilots, flight crew and operational support employees will ensure the tour operates efficiently and safely until its last flight in August.   

What they’re saying: “I fondly remember an eighth-grade trip to visit the National Archives. I recall coming home and thinking that was just really inspirational,” said Danielle Dobczyk, Executive Flight Operations Boeing flight scheduler, helping coordinate the Freedom Plane National Tour. “To be a part of this project where we get to transport these documents around the country, maybe to other eighth grade kids, it's a really special opportunity.” 

Meet the team: While different Boeing teammates will serve on each leg of the Freedom Plane Tour, the following is the team supporting the first flight:

• Joe Seymour: Senior manager, chief pilot, Executive Flight Operations. As chief pilot, Seymour oversees the pilot and flight-attendant teams for executive flight operations, including regulatory compliance, skill management, training, standards, and safety protocols for the executive fleet.
• Tim Sorrells: Lead Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) pilot, Executive Flight Operations. Sorrells oversees BBJ operational, training and standards protocols.
• Alicia Odell: Lead training flight attendant, Executive Flight Operations. Odell oversees flight attendant safety and service training. 
• Victor Cotham: Lead maintenance control specialist, Executive Flight Operations. As lead maintenance control specialist, Cotham oversees the executive fleet continued airworthiness to include the fleet status and aircraft return to service. 
• Paul Matheson: Manager, operations control center, Executive Flight Operations. Matheson directly oversees and manages operational control for day-to-day flight operations, including planning, dispatch, service experience, crewing, and disruption recovery.
• Danielle Dobczyk: Flight scheduler, Executive Flight Operations. As flight scheduler, Dobczyk builds crew and aircraft schedules to meet mission needs and regulatory limits.
• Matthew Degollado: Dispatcher, Executive Flight Operations. Degollado dispatches flights, including conducting performance calculations, weight-and-balance determinations, and filing flight plans, then monitors flights to ensure compliance and operational safety.

Go deeper: Visit the Freedom Plane website for more information.

• Click here for more information about free tickets at the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri. The exhibit opens March 6. Note, expect possible wait times and limited ticket availability at the museum.