International Students Help Restore Exhibits at the Museo Aeronáutico de Málaga
The Museo Aeronáutico de Málaga recently welcomed a group of 16 technical students from the Rzeszów Mechanical School in Poland for a productive four-week internship program. These young professionals brought their specialized training in avionics, aviation mechanics, and airport operations to help preserve and organize the museum’s extensive historical collection.
Enhancing the Malaga Airport Museum Experience for Future Visitors
The hands-on collaboration directly contributes to what visitors see when they explore the historic terminal building. During their time at the site, the mechanical and avionics students focused on the direct restoration of several key exhibits. Their efforts covered a wide variety of historic transport artifacts, including vintage aircraft, engines, hot air balloon baskets, propellers, and classic cars.
In addition to physical restoration, members of the group assisted with archival preservation. Working within the museum's specialized library, they cataloged and documented unique aviation files written in several different languages, helping to ensure these rare documents remain accessible for future historical research.
Collaboration with Local Aviation Experts
Beyond practical maintenance tasks, the internship provided the students with valuable opportunities to learn from local experts. The museum's dedicated volunteers and staff members—including Joaquín de Carranza, Jose Antonio, Jordi, and tour guide Juan Carlos—offered guidance and shared practical knowledge of the exhibits.
A key highlight for the visiting group was a meeting with professional air traffic controller and pilot Miguel Hidalgo. This session offered the students first-hand insights into airport safety, navigation, and the daily responsibilities of managing air traffic from the control tower.
This collaboration highlights how community-driven aviation heritage spaces can serve as educational hubs for the next generation of aerospace professionals. Visitors planning a trip to the region can find this and other unique destinations using Musemap (musemap.art). To start planning your next cultural outing, you can browse museums in Malaga, use the interactive map, or explore search options to discover local history.
