News

Cessna Chairman Emeritus Russ Meyer Honored at Wichita Aero Club Gala

February 6, 2014 11:36am

Wichita, KS — February 6, 2014 –The Wichita Aero Club (WAC) honored Cessna Chairman Emeritus Russ Meyer with the 2013 Wichita Aero Club trophy at its annual gala on January 25. The event was held for the fourth straight year at the Doubletree Hilton Wichita Airport. Among the more than 300 people who attended National Business Aviation Association was the organization’s President Ed Bolen, who presented the award to Mr. Meyer, along with Aero Club officials. Ed’s remarks focused on the impact Russ has made on business aviation legislation and also on his peers and in his community. U.S. Senator Jerry Moran was also in attendance and spoke about Mr. Meyer’s leadership in the passage of the General Aviation Revitalization Act (GARA) in 1994 and his long-term advocacy for the industry as a three-time chairman of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and on aviation commissions under Presidents Reagan, Clinton and George W. Bush. Mr. Meyer’s selection as the Wichita Aero Club Trophy recipient included the following citation: During his more than 25 years as CEO of Cessna Aircraft, Russ Meyer not only led the company to pre-eminence in the global business jet industry, but his industry leadership has been proclaimed as the most far-reaching and effective in the history of general aviation. In his acceptance speech, Mr. Meyer noted that the outlook for the beleaguered light aircraft segment is looking good. Business jets provide efficient and versatile air transportation and demand will continue. He noted that significant advances have been made in technology and the local and state governments are supportive of the industry in Wichita. “We have enormous strength from employees who are committed to general aviation here,” he said. They will continue to provide the excellent service, nurture the long-term relationships and deliver on their promises—all factors that are key to the GA segment’s ongoing success. “I promise you this,” he concluded, “if I were 25 years old today, I’d pursue a career in this industry in a heartbeat.” The Wichita Aero Club trophy is presented annually to honor someone with a strong relationship to the greater Wichita area who has earned distinction through exemplary achievement or an enduring contribution to aviation or aerospace. The Gala, which is also a fund-raising event to support the Aero Club and its educational pursuits, was sponsored by ADR Inc., Armstrong Chamberlin, Cessna Aircraft Company, Doubletree Hilton Wichita Airport, Spirit AeroSystems, Airbus Americas Engineering, Conference Technologies, Greteman Group, Pratt & Whitney Canada, Signature Flight Support, TZ Productions, Global Parts Aero, Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics, Paul Bowen Photography, Safran, Wichita Area Technical College, Workforce Alliance, Air Capital Insurance and Yingling Aviation.

The Wichita Aero Club was established in 2008 to foster and promote interest in aviation, provide a forum focused on the industry’s issues and achievements and bring together those with a passion for flight in an environment that expands and enhances professional relationships and furthers cooperation and understanding.