After a successful inaugural event last year, state aviation officials are gearing up and partnering with the Kansas Commission on Aerospace Education to host the 2nd Annual Kansas Aviation Expo, Sept. 22-26.
This year’s Expo will feature a week’s worth of events, including the Fly Kansas Air Tour, two around-the-world pilots and business seminars. Last year’s inaugural event featured several leading industry speakers and left attendees requesting an annual event.
“This year our theme will be ‘where dreams comes true’ because there is something for everyone when it comes to aviation,” said Jesse R. Romo, Director of Aviation for the Kansas Department of Transportation. “One of our goals this year is to reach out and engage as many school kids as possible to encourage them to pursue their dreams and consider a career in aviation.”
During the air tour, pilots will fly their aircraft throughout the state carrying the message that aviation is for everyone. For three days, three stops a day, the group will barnstorm in aircraft that range from a vintage Stearman to a modern Cessna 182. Each stop will highlight a different aspect of Kansas aviation and draw in several local school kids. Day 1 kicks off Sept. 22 in Wellington, moves to Hutchinson for lunch and ends in Dodge City with an evening event. Day 2 begins in Scott City, continues to Salina and ends in Topeka. The third day will go through Pittsburg and Independence before ending in Benton.
Following the air tour on Sept. 25, Barrington Irving, the youngest person to fly around the world solo, will bring his Flying Classroom to Wichita and demonstrate to high school students how STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is used in aviation. The Flying Classroom event will include a career fair at which hundreds of high school students will learn about all the options aviation has to offer.
On the evening of Sept. 25, Amelia Rose Earhart will talk about her around-the-world flying trip and her Fly With Amelia Foundation that helps high school girls learn how to fly. Amelia Rose, who is not related to her namesake, recreated the route the earlier Amelia Mary Earhart had charted for her ill-fated 1937 attempt to fly around the world.
The schedule for Friday, Sept. 26, will include speakers from the FAA, TSA, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and more.
Gov. Sam Brownback said the week’s events are valuable to highlight the importance of aviation to the Kansas economy and to introduce young people to aviation and possible careers.
“Kansas is proud of its history in aviation,” said Gov. Brownback. “The popularity of this event highlights the importance of aviation and the contributions Kansas and Kansans continue to make in this critical industry.”
For more information on the event, go to the KCAE website at www.flykansas.org/ or visit the event Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KansasAviationExpo.
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Meriden teen injured in Jeff co wreck
Two arrested in rural Horton drug bust
USD 415 board approves resignations, new hires
Fake sports rings seized enroute to Atchison
Early Saturday house fire battled in Atchison
Topeka woman arrested in Jackson Co on drug charges
4th attorney appointed for TX man charged in fatal Jackson Co wreck
Hearing held on USD 115 land transfer petition
Failure to stop, Georgia warrants, hold Atchison man
8-year-old injured in mid-week Atchison wreck
New Mayor appointed for Lancaster
LV man sentenced for teen sexual attack
K-9 bridge replacement underway in Nemaha County
Motorcyclist injured in Winthrop, MO crash
Lansing inmate dead, investigation continues
Hiawatha street repair project approved
LATEST STORIES
Plans set for 2024 Hiawatha Farmers Market
Marysville man sentenced in wife's murder
Wamego man convicted of second fentanyl-related death
Electrical distribution project upgrades for Falls City
NPPD warns downed power lines can be deadly
MHMA Mock Trial Team wins state, heads to natls
Nebraska students taking advantage of dual credit courses
Lansing inmate dead, investigation continues