Director Lon Smith Describes Wichita’s Living Aviation History Museum
The Kansas Aviation Museum is more than just a showcase for Wichita’s rich aviation history; it is history. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the museum is housed in Wichita’s original municipal airport terminal. Dedicated on March 31st, 1935, the Wichita Municipal Airport served as a major mid-continent stopover for commercial operations as the last stop before crossing the Rockies to Denver or Los Angeles. At its peak in 1944, the airport was one of the busiest in the nation with take-offs or landings occurring every 90 seconds. Wandering the museum, visitors are immediately transported back to the glory days of aviation, surrounded by grand terrazzo halls and art-deco design. Nearly every aviation and entertainment legend of the era roamed the building’s halls, from Howard Hughes and Fred Astaire to Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart.
With the United States’ entry into World War II, an explosion in aviation manufacturing in Wichita altered the fate of the building. Tens of thousands of aircraft were built in Wichita for the War effort and the airport became a central location for flight testing and military supervision. On September 16th, 1947, the government established the United States Air Force as a separate element of the United States armed forces; by 1951, the USAF took over the Wichita Municipal Airport for pilot training on B-47s, B-36s, and eventually B-52s. For the next 30 years, the USAF and the Kansas Air National Guard used the location as Building One of the McConnell Air Force Base. In 1984, however, the USAF abandoned the building.
For six years, the historical location sat empty and partially gutted; after being leased by the City of Wichita to the Wichita Aeronautical Historical Association in the late 1980s, volunteers painstakingly began restoration efforts that continue to this day. On April 19th, 1991, the Kansas Aviation Museum officially opened to the public displaying an extraordinary collection of Kansas and national aviation history. The museum houses a world-class collection of rare aircraft, aircraft engines, and archive documents including the entirety of the original FAA identification cards from 1927 until 1994. In addition, volunteers have successfully restored such one-of-a-kind aircraft as a 1934 Stearman Model 73/Navy NS-1 Trainer and 1927 Swallow. Restoration continues through the astonishing efforts of the museum’s dedicated staff and generous donations from historical and aviation enthusiasts alike.
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This is Aero TV's Daily Update on EAA AirVenture Oshkosh for Monday, July 26th.
The topic on everyone's mind on opening day was the recent record rainfall. In his remarks, EAA Chairman and President Tom Poberezny addressed the issue.
Aero-TV At Oshkosh 2010: Bose Aviation Headset A20 -- Making The Cockpit A Quieter Place
Bose Upgrades A Game-Changing Headset
If you've been saving your loose change in a jar for the day you could finally spring for the Bose Aviation Headset Ten, keep the jar going, but you won't be buying a Ten. The product has been discontinued effective immediately. The replacement is the Bose Aviation Headset A20, and you'll like it.
Aero-TV At Oshkosh 2010 -- Homebuilders Hangar Dedication
AirVenture now has a dedicated hangar for homebuilt aircraft in the "old NASA pavilion" located by the government pavilion. The hangar was formally dedicated Monday night by EAA President Tom Poberezny.
Aero-TV: Extending The R9 Revolution -- Avidyne Retrofits The Piper Matrix
The Avidyne Juggernaut Keeps On Flying... Now With Piper!
For those of us in the Aero-News business, we have nothing but thanks and gratitude for companies like Avidyne... who not only keep making news... but making good news! And that, folks, is a pleasant change from much of that we've had to deal with over the past many months.
Aero-TV: A Flight To Remember -- Oshkosh 2009 Heritage Flight
Are You Getting Ready For Oshkosh 2010? This Will Help!
There are so many amazing sights to be seen at Oshkosh in any given year, while the presence of various military demos makes every year even more exciting than the year before. BUT... we have a soft spot in our heart for the Heritage Flights... one of the most inspired collaborations between civilians and the military in our recollection -- and easy the most breathtaking.
Aero-TV: Glasair Aviation -- Thoughts On The Evolution Of Sport Aviation
A Look At The Changes Taking Place In The Sport Aviation Industry
The future of sport aviation is in flux... the old ways of sport flying are rapidly disappearing and a new reality is coming about. With that in mind, ANN's Tom Patton took a few moments to ask one of the veterans of the sport aviation market, Glasair's Scott Taylor, about what he sees as he works in this ever-evolving industry.
Aero-TV: Textron's Scott Donnelly -- You CAN Get Paid For Having This Much Fun
Textron's Leader Talks About the Future Of Aerospace... And Who Will Make It Happen
ANN was blown away by what we saw and learned at the 2010 Team America Rocketry Challenge... all around were GREAT kids... assisted by GREAT adults employed in seeking GREAT goals... and collectively having a ball. What was wrong with that? NOTHING... absolutely nothing.
Aero-TV: Making Progress -- Eclipse Aerospace Shows Great Potential
The Little Jet That "Almost Succeeded" May Still Be A Winner
All things old may be new again... and that seems to include one of our favorite little jet aircraft, the uncommonly thrifty Eclipse 500. Known initially as the world’s first "Very Light Jet," the Eclipse 500 light twinjet can cruise at speeds of 425 miles per hour, and travel over 1,100 non-stop nautical miles -- all the while consuming as little as 48 gallons per hour (total)! The Eclipse 500 continues to be recognized as the world’s most efficient light jet, while generating the least emissions of any twinjet flying. And that's not idle boasting, its verifiable fact.
Aero-TV: A Digital Attitude Upgrade -- Avidyne Delivers First Autopilot Product
Truly Revolutionary Autopilot NOW Shipping
While covering this year's Cirrus Pilot's and Owner's Association Convention was a GREAT way to spend time, getting the news that Avidyne had certified the revolutionary new DFC90 digital autopilot pretty much took top honors. Avidyne received the STC and TSO authorization for the installation of the DFC90 digital autopilot in Cirrus SR20 and SR22 airplanes on June 18th, 2010, while Avidyne's Tom Harper called this development "The start of a new era for Avidyne."
Aero-TV: Third Times A Charm -- Ingraham High School's 'Educated Pyros'
Science, Technology, Perseverance... and FUN!
One of our favorite stories at TARC 2010 unfolded before our cameras as we watched a high school team hit a bad run of luck... one misfire... then another... followed by a last minute (literally) launch that occurred right before the deadline that would have disqualified them from the competition. We were thrilled with their perseverance, their grace under pressure and the fact that even when the pressure was on, they were having fun. The members of the Ingraham High School's 'Educated Pyros' impressed the heck out of us.
Aero-TV: Avionics Tip Of The Week Aspen 2.2 Software Upgrade
Latest Revision Adds New Capabilities
Aspen Avionics introduced version 2.2 software for its popular Evolution EFD at the 53rd annual AEA Convention and trade show in April, adding some new user-friendly features that increase functionality and decrease cockpit workload.
Aero-TV: Piece Of Cake -- Chef Duff Goldman Visits TARC 2010
There's More Than One Way To (Launch) A Cake...
As you can plainly see from the other Aero-TV pieces that have been webcast recently, we certainly had a great time at TARC 2010. But... one of the most unusual aspects of TARC was its ability to draw all kinds of people together... like a famous chef, some cake ingredients and a high-speed delivery system. 'Ace of Cakes' Duff Goldman not only visited TARC, he launched a cake at TARC and you had to be there to understand what exquisite insanity this was... but for those of you who didn't make it, Aero-TV will show you what we mean.
Aero-TV At Oshkosh 2010: Alan Klapmeier and Kestrel Aircraft
Kestrel Turboprop Program Back On Track... With Alan Klapmeier As CEO!
As we noted in our breaking news coverage late last week, it's nice to finally be able to report two major pieces of news... a new life for the highly respected Kestrel Turboprop program... and the return of Alan Klapmeier to the leadership of an innovative general aviation design and manufacturing program.
New EAA Prez is Long-Time Member, Stearman Pilot/Rebuilder
During remarks in advance of the Piper press conference at Oshkosh 2010, current president EAA Tom Poberezny let loose with the fact that EAA has selected new leadership to 'augment' his aims for the organization.
This is Aero TV's Daily Update on EAA AirVenture Oshkosh for Tuesday, July 27th.
USA Today, which for whatever reason now has a standing policy of talking down general aviation, was out yesterday with a cheap shot at EAA AirVenture. Tuesday's story on page 3A appeared under a subhead that reads, "Air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin has history of fatal crashes. The writer, Alan Levin, did acknowledge that the fatals to which he referred did not involve the airshow at Oshkosh, and that most involved obvious pilot mistakes, and many weren't even in the area.
