“The ideas and alternatives we consider need to conform to the legal and safety standards of the industry and they have to make sense from an economic point of view–otherwise they literally won’t fly.  But we can’t ignore the needs and requirements of the entry level prospects in general aviation or we’ll simply price ourselves out of existence.”     –An  EAA AirVenture attendee after looking at a remanufactured Ascend 172 in the AOPA exhibit

Learning to fly never seemed like a minor expense, even back in the mid-1970s when I learned to fly at one of the nation’s hundreds of Cessna Pilot Centers and a new Skyhawk II was available for less than $30,000, complete with an ARC Nav Pac. It still meant forking over $25 an hour for the airplane and $15 for the instructor and there were fees for the CPC kit, ground school, the Third Class medical, the radio operators license, the fuel–especially on the cross country flights, and the check ride.  And don’t forget the $20 “wardrobe fee” after you got the shirttail cut off when you soloed on a day you didn’t expect to and wore your favorite Oxford.  The more hours it took to master the “magic” of getting an airplane safely into the air and back down again, preferably at your intended destination, the more the investment.  It could end up costing thousands of dollars.  That was back then.  Nowadays, that’s what it costs just to solo–not including the shirt!

The $30,000, which was the retail price for the airplane in 1975, is now closer to the purchase price for the flight training.  Add about $400,000 to that tab if you want a new Skyhawk.  Oh, you’ll get a radio package that’s a little more sophisticated than the ARC Nav Pac, a Garmin 1000 glass panel, in fact, but you’ll still get four seats, the same basic payload, and roughly the same climb, cruise, speed, and range performance and the instructor will cost about four or five times as much, but the actual experience and requirements aren’t going to be that much different–are they?  Well, maybe due to video games, the availability of extraordinarily realistic simulation and computerized graphics, and the fact that kids have become familiar with joysticks and touch screens from the time they’re able to count or speak in sentences, it may not be quite as exhilarating to actually control an airplane, but traveling from place to place in half the time it takes to drive should still offer some attraction.

But, the real question isn’t whether flying or learning to fly is enough to attract potential pilots, it’s whether the cost to acquire an airplane or flight training is so high that it will eventually–and perhaps rapidly–result in the end of pilot education as we’ve known it.  The private pilot will become a part of history.  General Aviation flying will be virtually non-existent, or about as common as that of classic warbirds and collectible aircraft–making appearances at rare, weekend fly-ins where the curious can come out, pay a fee to see the privately-owned, owner-flown airplanes of the past when real human beings actually got behind the controls and controlled the aircraft themselves–and could afford to do so.

Today’s airframe manufacturers really seem to think that several hundred thousand dollars is not too much to charge for a four-place airplane that will fly less than 1000 miles on a tank of gas at less than 200 miles per hour.  The concept of taking the family on a day trip for the proverbial “$100 hamburger” is fast being relegated to the annals of history, too.  The $100 hamburger is more like a $800 Quinoa and Tofu burger.

The alternative is to offer ways to acquire and update existing airplanes–there are still tens of thousands of flyable Cessnas, Pipers, Beechcraft, Cirrus, Mooneys, Meyers, Bellancas and others out there–that can be revitalized and utilized, even in the Next Generation air traffic control system, if the industry doesn’t shoot itself in the foot trying to regulate and price itself out of existence.  There are some great companies out there that have the legacy airplane owners in mind.  Yingling Aviation is one:  they’ve announced a “remanufactured 172” that is an exceptional value and brings 30 year old airframes up to nearly new specs and performance, complete with glass cockpits if desired, at about a third the cost of a new airplane.  TKM in Phoenix offers “plug and play” replacement avionics for legacy models and they’ll work with and allow older airplanes to operate in the Next Gen environment.  There are companies actively working on alternative fuels and engine technology to keep those airplanes flying if and when 100LL becomes 100 % unavailable, too.  It’s really time to give these guys some attention and some support so they can give the dwindling, existing pilot population some encouragement and the prospective pilot population some hope that they’ll be able to afford to get a pilot’s license–one that won’t cost them the shirt off their back!

Wichita has been claiming the title of the “Air Capital of the World” for nearly 90 years–since it first started appearing on products manufactured in the city during the late 1920s–but it’s compelled to share the spotlight with Oshkosh, Wisconsin each summer during the Experimental Aircraft Association’s annual AirVenture. The week-long gathering of aviation’s most ardent devotees attracts more than half a million people to Wittman Regional Airport and seemingly every available campsite, bed & breakfast, hotel room and rental property in a 100-mile radius for seven straight days focused on defying gravity. And let’s not forget the 10,000 airplanes that blanket Wittman’s “North 40” and all those who camp beneath their wings, too. It’s a festival of flying, an annual mechanized aviary migration that must be experienced to be believed. What’s great about it is that it’s as intimate as it is enormous. It’s like a massive planetary family reunion. No one’s really a stranger at Oshkosh…with the possible exception of the rare bird who happens to show up, however briefly, in a suit and tie. He will be quickly disabused of the notion that anything more formal than khaki shorts and T-shirts are appropriate and, language barriers aside, he’ll be on a first-name basis with virtually everyone he sees in the time it takes him to consume a “Brat and Brew.”

Oshkosh is a great place to conduct business–and have a great time doing it, so it’s no wonder most of Wichita’s aviation companies find an excuse to be there, either as exhibitors or attendees. For those who haven’t had the opportunity to attend or didn’t get to go this year, Wichita Aero Club Board Member Visual Media Group took some time out of their very busy schedule at AirVenture 2015 to vista a few of the other Kansas companies who were also in attendance. They’re also members of the Wichita Aero Club, and we’re extremely proud of our member companies’ presence at the world’s largest aviation gathering. We hope you enjoy this brief look at AirVenture 2015 and will make plans to join us at next year’s show!

Wichita Aero Club Oshkosh 2015 from Dave Franson on Vimeo.

When Wichita businessman Jack DeBoer spoke at the Wichita Aero Club’s July 13 event at Wichita Air Services, he detailed his use of airplanes in the conduct of his highly successful business ventures, citing a number of examples from his book,  Risk Only Money.  The Aero Club offered copies of the volume for sale after the presentation and promptly sold out!  If you’d like to order a copy for only $20–well below the retail price in bookstores–you can do so by calling the Aero Club office at 681-4471.  We’ll be acquiring a limited additional quantity in the near future.  As with the purchases at the July 13 event–and for every book sold–all proceeds will go to support World Vision.

The reception, which was attended by 100 people despite the 100 degree heat,  also honored WAC Stimpson  Scholarship winner Karen Morrison of Kansas State University-Salina.  Ms. Morrison also flew in the recently-concluded Women’s Air Race Classic. Three members of the KSU-Salina faculty were also in attendance and Textron Aviation also displayed its newly-certified Citation Latitude.   It was the first time the latest addition to the Citation fleet had been shown publicly in Wichiita.

Dwight D. Eisenhower made more extensive use of airplanes than virtually any of his predecessors, so naming an airport in his home state after him isn’t really all that unusual. The former general and 34th President was from Abilene, Kansas, and he even learned to fly himself. His granddaughter, Mary Jean, points out that, as President, he held a pilot’s license…but not a driver’s license! Still, that’s probably not a good enough reason, by itself, to re-name the Wichita airport in his honor. Critics tend to point out that he was an Army general, not an Air Force officer and his connection to the Air Capital was therefore, a bit tenuous.  They even suggested that there might be some other prominent Wichitans who might warrant more consideration as long as we were considering re-identifying the airport in the state’s largest city.  They would note that he didn’t even fly to Wichita when he returned to his childhood home. He would land in Kansas City and drive out to Abilene.

It’s true he didn’t frequent Wichita even as an adult.  There is, however, evidence that he made a couple of campaign stops here and there are still a few people in town who remember seeing him drop into town both as a military officer and as a presidential candidate.  On one occasion, for instance, he visited Boeing at the old Municipal Airport (now McConnell Air Force Base) in 1951 to see a demonstration of the Boeing Scout , a post war trainer. where he posed with a pair of native American shop foremen, Gordon Bushyhead and Francis Stumblingbear, for a publicity photo. Ike, who had been reactivated during the Korean Conflict, wore his general’s uniform. The two Boeing workers donned buckskins and headdresses from a local costume shop. The picture made it into the newspapers.  The Scout, on the other hand, never made it into mass production. Ike didn’t make many more visits to the Boeing plant, either.

When President Eisenhower was elected to the White House he made a number of trips west to visit family. In fact, in what would be unheard of today, he spent six weeks at the home of a family member during the Summer of 1953. It happened to be his wife’s mother, in suburban Denver, Colorado–not Abilene, Kansas–so the closest he came to Wichita on that occasion was to fly over on the way to and from Washington.

But, Ike did learn to fly and, as his great grandson, Merrill Eisenhower Atwater told me during the celebration of the new airline terminal at the airport that now bears his name, he made numerous trips through Wichita to Abilene and logged hours in the Kansas skies as a pilot in command, as well. His logbooks, in fact, are on file at the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene.

Being elected the President of the United State gave Ike a leg up on other Kansans in the competition for the title of our state’s most prominent citizen, but probably ranks him at least second when it comes to consideration for Kansas’s most famous aviator. That probably goes to Amelia Earhart. Chances are, if she had returned from her ill-fated 1937 circumnavigation of the globe, the sentiment for naming the airport in the Air Capital might well have tilted in her direction instead…assuming Atchison hadn’t already claimed it!

Dwight D. Eisenhower made more extensive use of airplanes than virtually any of his predecessors, so naming an airport in his home state after him isn’t really all that unusual.  The former general and 34th President was from Abilene, Kansas, and he eve

n learned to fly himself.  His granddaughter, Mary Jean, points out that, as President, he held a pilot’s license…but not a driver’s license!  Still, that’s probably not a good enough reason, by itself, to re-name the Wichita airport in his honor.  Critics tend to point out that he was an Army general, not an Air Force officer and his connection to the Air Capital was therefore, a bit tenuous.  They even suggested that there might be some other prominent Wichitans who might warrant more consideration as long as we were considering re-identifying the airport in the state’s largest city.  They would note that he didn’t even fly to Wichita when he returned to his childhood home.  He would land in Kansas City and drive out to Abilene.

It’s true he didn’t frequent Wichita even as an adult.  There is, however, evidence  that he made a couple of campaign stops here and there are still a few people in town who remember seeing him drop into town both as a military officer and as a presidential candidate.  On one occasion, for instance, he visited Boeing at the old Municipal Airport (now McConnell Air Force Base) in 1951 to see a demonstration of the Boeing Scout , a post war trainer.  where he posed with a pair of native American shop foremen, Gordon Bushyhead and Francis Stumblingbear, for a publicity photo. Ike, who had been reactivated during the Korean Conflict, wore his general’s uniform.

The two Boeing workers donned buckskins and headdresses from a local costume shop.  The pictu

re made it into the newspapers.  The Scout, on the other hand, never made it into mass production. Ike didn’t make many more visits to the Boeing plant, either.

When President Eisenhower was elected to the White House he made a number of trips  west to visit family.  In fact, in what would be unheard of today, he spent six weeks at the home of a family member during the Summer of 1953.  It happened to be his wife’s mother,  in suburban Denver, Colorado–not Abilene, Kansas–so the closest he came to Wichita on that occasion was to fly over on the way to and from Washington.

But, Ike did learn to fly and, as his great grandson, Merrill Eisenhower Atwater told me during the celebration of the new airline terminal at the airport that now

bears his name, he made numerous trips through Wichita to Abilene and logged hours in the Kansas skies as a pilot in command, as well.  His logbooks, in fact, are on file at the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene.

Being elected the President of the United State gave Ike a leg up on other Kansans in the competition for the title of our state’s most prominent citizen, but probably ranks him at least second when it comes to consideration for Kansas’s most famous aviator.  That probably goes to Amelia Earhart.  Chances are, if she had returned from her ill-fated 1937 circumnavigation of the globe, the sentiment for naming the airport in the Air Capital might well have tilted in her direction instead…assuming Atchison hadn’t already claimed it!

Wichita Aero Club Members and Guests:  Act now!  We have only a limited number of discounted tickets for this special event still available…and they are going fast!  WAC Members and their guests can purchase tickets at a 20% discount–$100 each–while they last.

The Wichita City Council has voted to open this event to the public so it is expected to sell out.  Sponsors and VIPs will account for a significant number of the 800 tickets allotted for the event.  The Wichita Aero Club has purchased a block of 100 tickets at full price and we’re making them available to our members at the reduced rate as a way of saying “Thank you” to our members for your support!  More than half of those tickets have already been reserved.  Don’t wait!  Call 316-681-4471 or go online now to reserve your tickets for admission to this historic and memorable Dedication Gala progressive dinner with dazzling displays of international cuisines from Wichita’s City Sisters in China, Mexico and France alongside American classic dishes from New York and Texas located at food and beverage stations throughout the impressive new terminal.

By Invitation Grand Opening Event Will Feature Music, Food, VIPs

The Wichita Aero Club is offering its members a very special opportunity to be a part of an important milestone in the Air Capital’s aviation history…and at a special price not available to the public!  A limited number of tickets are being made available for the Grand Opening Gala of the new Airline Terminal at Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport on Saturday evening, April 11. The celebration will include a variety of musical offerings from local artists, highlighted by the Wichita Symphony, gourmet food and drink stations located at various points of interest throughout the new terminal, guided tours, and short presentations by local VIP guests and dignitaries.  Invitations to the event are offering tickets at $125 each.  However, as a co-sponsor of the Gala, the Wichita Aero Club is providing tickets to our members at a price of $100 each on a first-come/first serve basis!

“The re-naming of our airport to honor the only president who called our state his home and the opening of a brand new, state-of-the-art airline terminal is a once in a lifetime milestone and certainly a memorable part of our aviation history,” noted Dave Franson, Wichita Aero Club President.  “We’re honored to be included in the planning and hosting of this event and even more pleased to be able to offer our members the opportunity to be a part of it at a price that’s not available anywhere else.

“This is a benefit we’re offering to those who have loyally supported the Wichita Aero Club and the local aviation community over the past several years through their attendance at our luncheons, involvement in our educational programs, and attention to the issues that affect our industry.  We have purchased a quantity of tickets at face value (because the proceeds go to the Airport Foundation to defray expenses associated with the opening of the new facility) and we’re reducing the price to our members as a way of thanking them and ensuring that they can be  included in this memorable event,” he explained.

To receive the WAC discount, Aero Club members can order Airport Gala tickets by visiting the website at www.wichitaaeroclub.org or by calling the Aero Club at 681-4471 and providing names of attendees. Purchases of tickets can be made with VISA, MasterCard, or Discover Card or by check sent to the Wichita Aero Club at 151 South Whittier Street, Suite 100, Wichita, KS 67207.

In an effort to enable students maximum time to apply for the H. Dean Humphrey Scholarship, the deadline has been extended until October 31, 2014.