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THE WICHITA      
AVIATION
CENTENNIAL

100 Years of Aviation Progress
1916-1917  to  2016-2017

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NEWS  FLASH:
Wichita State University, now enrolling the general public
for one-time Community Education course: "Wichita Aviation History,"
to be taught March-May 2017.
Class is open to public (cost: $69), but class size is limited.
Sign up now!

For more information, CLICK HERE for the "EVENTS" page.

 

 

September, 2016 is the 100th Anniversary of Wichita Aviation, and the start of the Wichita Aviation Centennial.

On the first weekend of September in 1916, Clyde Cessna announced and began his move to Wichita, Kansas -- where he would build the first airplanes ever built in the city.

Clyde Cessna's Wichita's factory at the Jones Car Company factory.  Public Domain photo courtesy of Wikipedia.org article 'Clyde Cessna'. - CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE They would be the first of a quarter-million aircraft to be built in Wichita over the next 100 years.

Clyde Vernon Cessna, Wichita's pioneer plane-maker.  Public Domain photo courtesy of Wikipedia.org article 'Clyde Cessna'. - CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE Cessna -- who, in Oklahoma in 1911, became the first pilot/plane-maker of the Great Plains -- soon moved his operations to Wichita, where he would build planes, fly exhibtions, and train new pilots.

Starting with Cessna, Wichita aviation -- after the suspension forced by World War I Wichita-built 1920s Super Swallow biplane, foreground, first commercial cargo airliner -- first airplane of what would become the world's largest airline: United Airlines. -- soon exploded in all directions, igniting new enterprises and ideas throughout the city, county, and state -- creating an aviation industry, (the city's largest industry, and Kansas's largest industry after agriculture), which has become Kansas Aircraft Factories, past & present - CLICK ON MAP TO ENLARGE legendary worldwide -- supplying flight to the world.

 

Starting with the 100th Anniversary Month -- September, 2016 --
the historic, year-long
Wichita Aviation Centennial will organize, conduct and support Wichita-area commemorations of the city's biggest and most spectacular industry. Boeing B-52 Stratofortress -- the first true intercontinental strategic jet bomber, built mostly in Wichita

Your participation and support is needed to bring alive the past -- and illuminate the future --
of the high-tech industry that makes Wichita famous around the globe.

Join the
Centennial Boosters,
participate in Centennial Events, and share the story of Wichita's leading role in the world's most dynamic industry.


Join us in celebrating
a Century of Wichita Aviation!

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THE Wichita Aviation Centennial

  (316) 371 9079

 

 

 

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CONTENT © 2016 by
WICHITA AVIATION CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE
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DESIGN 2016 by RICHARD HARRIS & ASSOC.