ESTABLISHING AN AVIATION TRADITION
The Wichita Aero Club has been established to foster and promote interest in aviation, to provide a forum that focuses on the industry’s issues and achievements, and to bring together those with a passion for flight in an environment that expands and enhances professional relationships and furthers cooperation and understanding.
THE WICHITA AERO CLUB:
Hosts luncheons featuring prominent speakers from aviation, government, industry and the media.
Provides a regular platform for the discussion of aviation issues and accomplishments.
Hosts an annual gala to recognize a leader in the industry and community.
Promotes aviation training and career development, offering scholarships and financial support to aviation-related institutions and initiatives.
Events
We host regular events to bring people together with industry leaders from across the country.
We host two annual fundraisers, including a golf tournament in the summer and our trophy gala in the winter.
Membership
Corporate Membership
$1,500/year
Industry Partner
$750/year
Business Membership
$400/year
Individual Membership
$125/year
Discounted Individual Membership
$60/year
History of The Wichita AeroClub
We’re the Air Capital of the World.
In 1915, when Wichita was still identified more with the Great Plains than great planes, the Wichita Aero Club was founded. The appropriate paperwork was filed in the state capital of Topeka, and the new group took the initiative to sponsor a balloon race in the fall of that year. It then promptly disappeared. No evidence of its continued operation could be found. No members were identified. No financial statements were filed. The original Wichita Aero Club apparently made one takeoff, one landing and never flew again. In 2008, however, a new Wichita Aero Club took off. After nearly a century of history that has included the manufacture of more airplanes in Wichita than in any other city on Earth, Wichita’s aviation community has come together to revive the Wichita Aero Club in “The Air Capital of the World.”
OUR BOARD
JOHN O’LEARY, Airbus Americas, Inc.
JEFF PEIER, Klenda Austerman LLC
RENEE PRICE, Hotel at Old Town
LANNIE O’BANNION, Textron Aviation
KADIE SANDERS, Yingling Aviation
HEATHER THORSON, Bombardier
STAFF: NICOLE ALEXANDER, Wichita Aero Club president
MIKE ALBERTI, Lee Aerospace
ASHLEY BOWEN COOK, Greteman Group
STEVE FARBER, VSE Aviation
DAVE FRANSON, Franson Consulting
TRACEE FRIESS, National Institute for Aviation Research
ISAAC HATHAWAY, AssuredPartners Aerospace
MOLLY McMILLIN, Aviation Week Network
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