Kansas Aviation Museum

12/05/2023

Happy Birthday to the pioneer of general aviation. Clyde Cessna was born on December 5th, 1879 in Iowa. He moved to Kansas at a young age, and would take his interest in flight to new heights in the south central Kansas area. Though he loved flight, he happily retired to his farm in Rago, KS in Kingman County.

12/05/2023

Join our friends at the Wichita Aero Club for their luncheon on Wednesday the 13th of December. Get your tickets today.

12/02/2023

Extended this weekend!
Stop in and get 50% off memberships and 15% off merchandise. Several great tees, toys, tumblers and more that make great gifts!!

12/01/2023

🛩️✨ Exciting Winter Break Adventures Await at the Kansas Aviation Museum! ✨🛩️

Hey Aviator Families! 🚀✈️

Get ready for an epic winter break at the Kansas Aviation Museum! 🎉 Join us the week before Christmas as we're turning up the holiday cheer with a week full of aviation-inspired fun for your little ones! $5/person, kids 3 and under free. 🎄✨

12/01/2023

Join us tomorrow for Little Aviators Fridays! Kids and one adult get in free from 10am-12pm! (Note: We will be closing at 2pm tomorrow for a private event.)

11/30/2023

Take Off Into the Holidays with Sky-High Cheer! Elevate Your Gift-Giving at the Aviation Museum Gift Shop - Unwrap Joy, Aviation Style

11/30/2023

Would you take a minute and nominate KAM for Scheels Giving Tuesday donations? We would love it if you did!

Happy National Day of Giving! ❤️

Wichita is truly blessed with so many incredible nonprofits and we want to show our gratitude towards the tireless work they do for our community. This year Wichita SCHEELS is giving back $30,000 and we want your help deciding which organizations to donate to! Click the link below to submit a nonprofit nomination and let's start giving back to our amazing city!

https://forms.gle/SDfWViaARhRfLLkc9

You have until December 8th to nominate a nonprofit!

NOTE: Watch out for SPAM pages. SCHEELS will NOT ask for any credit card information.

11/30/2023

🛩️✨ Celebrating Louise Thaden: A Trailblazer in Aviation History! 🌟

In honor of Aviation History Month, we pay tribute to Louise Thaden, a fearless aviator who soared to remarkable heights, leaving an indelible mark on the skies.

👩‍✈️ Louise Thaden was a pioneering figure in aviation, achieving numerous "firsts" and breaking barriers for women in the cockpit. In 1929, she made headlines as part of the first women's cross-country air race, the Women's Air Derby.

🏆 Her legacy reached new heights in 1936 when she, along with co-pilot Blanche Noyes, clinched victory in the Bendix Trophy Race, setting a new speed record. Thaden's tenacity and skill shattered gender norms, inspiring countless aspiring aviators.

As a founder of the Ninety-Nines, an organization of female pilots, Thaden played a crucial role in fostering camaraderie and support among women in aviation. Her dedication to breaking barriers paved the way for future generations of female pilots.

Her Travel Air 4000 is on display here at the Kansas Aviation Museum thanks to the The Ninety-Nines, Inc, International Organization of Women Pilots! Come see a piece of aviation history.

👏 Let's salute Louise Thaden during Aviation History Month for her courage, trailblazing spirit, and enduring impact on the world of flight. May her story continue to inspire and empower aviation enthusiasts around the globe!

11/29/2023

We have extended our Black Friday sale through December 3rd! Get 50% off all memberships, plus 15% all merchandise in the gift shop! Memberships discounts are good in store and online at https://kansasaviationmuseum.org/explore/membership
(When buying a membership online, use code 50OFF23)

11/29/2023

This Giving Tuesday, let's soar to new heights together! Support the Kansas Aviation Museum and empower future innovators through our incredible STEM education programs. Your donation can make a difference in the lives of students across the region, sparking a passion for science, technology, engineering, and math!
Every contribution counts, no matter the size. Join us in shaping the future of aviation enthusiasts and dreamers!

Together, we can fuel the minds of tomorrow's leaders. Thank you for your support!

11/28/2023

Help KAM this as we continue our educational outreach! Your support goes a long way.

11/26/2023

Due to the snow packed roads and conditions, we are CLOSED on Sunday, November 26th.

We will open on Tuesday at 10:00am. We will extend our Black Friday deals all week long. 50% off memberships and 15% off gift shop purchases until Dec. 2nd.

11/25/2023

We are closing at 3:00pm to give our staff a safer drive home. We will open at 12:00pm tomorrow!

11/25/2023

Looking for a perfect gift this season? All KAM memberships are 50% off! Use code: 50OFF23

https://kansasaviationmuseum.org/explore/membership

11/25/2023

Our Black Friday sales continue through Monday! 50% off all memberships! Plus, 15% off on everything in the gift shop AND members get an extra 15% off already discounted prices! Come see us! (When buying memberships online, use code 50OFF23)

11/25/2023

Due to incoming weather condition early, KAM will open at 12:00pm on Saturday, November 25th.

11/24/2023

We are open today at 10a-5p. Take a look around, get your membership for 50% OFF!!! Also, enjoy discounts in the gift shop all weekend long.

11/23/2023

Have a blessed day! See you tomorrow from 10a-5p.

11/23/2023

Join Kansas Aviation Museum and millions around the world in giving back, spreading kindness, and showing how together we can be a force for good: givingtuesday.org

11/22/2023

Celebrating National Aviation History Month by honoring Lloyd Stearman.

Lloyd Carlton Stearman (October 26, 1898 – April 3, 1975) was a pioneering American aviator, aircraft designer, and entrepreneur. Born in Wellsford, Kansas, he studied engineering at Kansas State College before joining the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1918, where he learned to fly seaplanes.

In the mid-1920s, Stearman worked with Matty Laird on Laird Swallow aircraft. In 1925, he co-founded Travel Air Manufacturing Company, later forming his own, Stearman Aircraft, in 1926. Post-WWII, the Stearman PT-13 trainers became popular agricultural aircraft.

In 1929, Stearman Aircraft merged into United Aircraft and Transport Corporation. Stearman served as President of the Stearman Division until 1930. He later joined Lockheed in 1932, becoming its president in 1935. In 1936-1938, he partnered with Dean Hammond in the Stearman-Hammond Aircraft Corporation. After rejoining Lockheed in 1955, Stearman retired in 1968. He passed away on April 3, 1975, in Northridge, Los Angeles.

In 1989, Lloyd Stearman was posthumously inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame for his significant contributions to the aircraft industry. 🛩️

11/21/2023

Mary Riddle was inspired to fly growing up but she was told women pilots couldn't be successful. Riddle wanted to prove them wrong, and she did. She was one of the first Native American women to earn a pilot's license. Learn more: https://s.si.edu/2mZLj4J

11/21/2023

🌟✈️ Elevate Your Savings This Black Friday at the Kansas Aviation Museum! ✈️🌟

Get ready for an aviation adventure like never before! 🚀✨

From November 24-27, the Kansas Aviation Museum is offering incredible Black Friday deals that you won't want to miss! 🎉

🔥 Enjoy a spectacular 50% off on memberships—available both in-store and online! (Use code 50OFF23 for online memberships.) Become a member and unlock exclusive benefits that take your aviation experience to new heights.

🎁 Dive into the thrill of holiday shopping with a fantastic 15% off on EVERYTHING in our gift shop! And guess what? Our amazing members enjoy an additional 15% off! 🛍️✨

Don't miss this chance to snag the perfect gifts for aviation enthusiasts, all while treating yourself to exceptional savings!

Come celebrate the joy of flight with us and make your Black Friday extraordinary at the Kansas Aviation Museum!

🛩️🎁✨

11/20/2023

Continuing our celebration of National Aviation History Month, we are highlighting Bessie Coleman.
Bessie Coleman, the first African American and Native American woman to earn a U.S. pilot’s license, defied barriers to inspire others. Nicknamed "Brave Bessie" and "Queen Bess," she performed daring tricks, aiming to encourage women and African Americans to pursue their dreams. Despite a tragic plane crash cutting short her career, her legacy lives on.

Born in 1892 in Atlanta, Texas, Coleman overcame financial challenges to attend college but dropped out due to tuition constraints. At 23, she moved to Chicago, where her brothers' wartime tales fueled her dream of flying. Facing discrimination, she learned French to apply to a flight school in France, obtaining her pilot’s license in 1921.

Returning to the U.S., Coleman aimed to own a plane and open a flight school. She toured, defying segregation, and performed captivating air tricks, becoming famous in the U.S. and Europe. Surviving a 1923 crash, she persisted and purchased her own plane, challenging segregation in Texas.

Tragically, on April 30, 1926, a plane accident claimed Coleman's life at 34. Her legacy endures, with annual flyovers, aviation clubs, a commemorative stamp in 1995, and a 2023 U.S. Mint quarter in her honor as part of the American Women Quarters™ Program.

11/19/2023

🎁✨ Ready, set, SHOP! 🛍️✈️ This Black Friday, the Kansas Aviation Museum is soaring with incredible deals that you won't want to miss! 🚀🌟

🔥 From November 24-27, enjoy these sky-high savings:
🌐 Memberships: 50% OFF online and in-store!
🛒 All merchandise: 15% OFF! AND additional savings on CLEARANCE ITEMS!
➕ Plus, members get an EXTRA 15% OFF on all purchases!

Whether you're a seasoned aviation enthusiast or looking for the perfect gift for someone special, now is the time to take advantage of these unbeatable offers. 🎁🛩️

Don't miss out on the chance to elevate your aviation experience and gear up with fantastic savings!

Happy shopping, aviation lovers! 🌈🎉 🎊👨‍✈️👩‍✈️

11/17/2023

Make the Kansas Aviation Museum a must-visit for your Black Friday shopping! Enjoy a fantastic 50% off on memberships both in-store and online (use code 50OFF23 on our website). That's not all – get a thrilling 15% discount on in-store merchandise, incredible deals on clearance items, and our members score an extra 15% off already discounted prices! Don't miss out on these amazing offers! ✈️🛍️

11/17/2023

National Aviation History Month Continues with Mary Chance VanScyoc.
Mary Chance VanScyoc, born in Wichita, Kansas in 1919, took her first flight in 1935 with Clyde Cessna and fell in love with flying. Funding her flying lessons through babysitting, she soloed in 1938.

As the first female aviation student at Wichita State University, she won the Women's State Rifle Championship in 1938 and graduated in 1941. After a year of teaching in Ford, Kansas, she seized the opportunity in women's air traffic control, leveraging her pilot's license and degree.

In June 1942, VanScyoc began on-the-job training at the Denver Airway Traffic Control Center, swiftly advancing to independent work in July. She is widely considered the first female civilian air traffic controller. Working the "B" board in the Denver tower, she communicated with air bases and pilots, manually plotting information on paper strips at the "A" board due to the absence of radar and computers. In Denver, she earned her commercial pilot's license.

Returning to Wichita in 1944, she contributed to air traffic control, trained assistant controllers, and obtained her flight instructor rating in November 1944. In 1945, she managed airport traffic during a hangar fire. Leaving air traffic control in 1947, she focused on being a flight instructor.

In June 1947, she met and later married Evart VanScyoc, moving to Augusta, Kansas, where they raised three children. After tragedy struck in the mid-1970s, she returned to Wichita, where she continued flying, took helicopter lessons, and soloed at 64. She also contributed to the community by driving for the Red Cross and volunteering at the Kansas Aviation Museum.

At 74, she flew a World War II bomber. In 1996, her book "A Lifetime of Chances" was released, detailing her experiences. In 2002, VanScyoc was honored with induction into the Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame. ✈️📚🏆

11/17/2023

🚀✨ Attention families and little aviators! 🌈✈️ Join us at the Kansas Aviation Museum for an unforgettable adventure during "Little Aviators Fridays"! 🎉👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Kids AND one adult get FREE admission from 10 AM to 12 PM! 🎟️✨

📅 When: Every Friday
🕒 Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
📍 Where: Kansas Aviation Museum

Embark on a journey through aviation history, explore exciting exhibits, and ignite the spark of curiosity in your little ones! 🌟✈️ From hands-on activities to awe-inspiring aircraft, there's something for every young adventurer.

Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to make learning fun and memorable for the whole family! Share the skies with us and create lasting memories together. 🚁❤️

Tag a friend and spread the word! Let's make Fridays the highlight of the week for our little aviators! 🌐🎈 🛩️👶

11/16/2023

🛩️✨ National Aviation Month: Honoring the Legacy of Olive Ann Mellor Beech 🌟

Born on September 25, 1903, in Waverly, Kansas, Olive Ann Mellor defied norms and shattered expectations throughout her remarkable life in the aviation industry.

From the tender age of seven, she showcased her independent spirit, establishing a bank account and later overseeing her family's financial matters. Her journey in aviation commenced in 1925 when she joined the newly formed Travel Air Manufacturing Company in Wichita. Working her way up from bookkeeper to office manager, she mastered the intricacies of the business alongside aviation pioneers Walter Beech, Clyde Cessna, and Lloyd Stearman.

On February 24, 1930, Olive Ann and Walter Beech tied the knot, and together they founded Beechcraft in 1932, with Olive Ann as secretary-treasurer. When Walter fell ill in 1940, she took the reins and steered Beech Aircraft through the challenges of World War II, overseeing substantial growth and contributing to NASA's space programs.

After Walter's passing in 1950, Olive Ann assumed the role of company president, guiding Beech Aircraft to new heights. Under her leadership, sales tripled during her nearly two decades at the helm. The Beeches received accolades such as the Bendix Trophy in 1936 and induction into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

A trailblazer, Olive Ann was the first woman to receive the National Aeronautic Association's Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy. The New York Times recognized her as one of the 12 most distinguished women in America in 1943, and Fortune magazine acknowledged her as one of the 10 highest-ranking women executives in major American corporations in 1970.

Named the Native Sons and Daughters' Kansan of the Year in 1957, Olive Ann continued to break barriers even after Beech Aircraft's 1980 merger with Raytheon Company. Elected to the board of directors, she served until her retirement in 1982, at which time she became Beech Aircraft's first chairman emeritus, a position she continued to hold until her death. Olive Ann Beech's indomitable spirit and contributions to aviation will forever inspire us. She passed away on July 6, 1993, leaving behind a legacy that soars through the skies of history. 🚀❤️ 🌈👩‍✈️

11/15/2023

🛩️✨ Continuing our celebration of National Aviation Month!
Embark on a journey back to the 1920s with the incredible tale of Garver's Flying Circus. Founded around 1920 by Karl Garver of Attica, Kansas, and Cyle Horchem, an ex-army airman from Ransom, Kansas, this group of daredevils brought thrilling aerial stunts to the skies of Kansas.

For years, Karl, Cyle, and their fellow aviators wowed crowds with death-defying acts, creating unforgettable moments in the Kansas sky. However, tragedy struck in 1924, casting a somber shadow over the exhilarating performances.

On March 2, Bertha Horchem tragically fell during a loop stunt in San Antonio, Texas. Then, on October 12, Ruth Garver, known as the "Champion Lady Parachute Jumper," met a fateful end from a thousand feet in the air with a tangled parachute. The year took an even darker turn on November 12 when Cyle Horchem slipped and fell to his death while attempting to climb onto a wing mid-flight.

Despite these heartbreaking losses, Karl Garver continued performing at air shows until he eventually sold his airplanes. Tragically, he succumbed to alcohol poisoning in 1926.

The legacy of Garver's Flying Circus is etched in the history of aviation, reminding us of the daring feats and sacrifices made by these early aviation pioneers. 🌟🚁 🌈🎩

11/15/2023

We have our next round of candlelight concerts starting. We will be closed Wednesday & Thursday as well as Saturday! We are open for Little Aviators and all day Friday from 10-5, and Sunday from 12-5. Thank you!

11/15/2023

🌟✈️ Calling all aviation enthusiasts and history buffs! 🌟✈️

Are you passionate about aviation and eager to share your knowledge with others? 🚁✨ The Kansas Aviation Museum is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join our team as Docents!

As a Docent, you'll have the incredible opportunity to:

🔍 Dive into the fascinating world of aviation history.
🚀 Share your passion with museum visitors of all ages.
🌐 Connect with like-minded individuals and be part of an amazing community.
🎓 Receive exclusive training and behind-the-scenes access.

Whether you're a seasoned aviation expert or just starting your journey, we welcome your enthusiasm and dedication!

Join us in preserving and celebrating the rich heritage of aviation. ✨🛩️

If you're ready to take flight with us, please send a message or email Jacky Goerzen at [email protected] to learn more about becoming a Docent at the Kansas Aviation Museum. 📧👩‍✈️👨‍✈️

Come be a part of something extraordinary! 🌟👏 🛫🌍

11/14/2023

🛩️✨ Celebrate National Aviation Month with us as we honor the pioneering spirit of Clyde Cessna! 🌐🌟

Clyde Cessna, a true aviation trailblazer, took flight in the annals of history with his groundbreaking innovations, and the Comet, pictured here, stands as a testament to his visionary genius. The Comet was the first airplane built in Wichita, and was completed at Wichita's Jones 6 automobile plant, where Cessna shared factory space.

🔍 Learn about Clyde Cessna's incredible journey and the historic significance of the Comet during your visit to the Kansas Aviation Museum. Explore the exhibits that showcase the evolution of aviation, guided by the spirit of this aviation legend.

🗓️ November is not just a month; it's a celebration of the dreams that took flight and changed the course of history. Visit the museum and immerse yourself in the stories of Clyde Cessna.

Share your love for aviation history and tag a fellow aviation enthusiast to spread the excitement! 🎉✈️ 🌈🚁

11/14/2023

🛩️✨ Ready for an adventure at the Kansas Aviation Museum? 🌟 Join us for Wingman Tuesdays! 🌈✈️ Bring your aviation buddy and enjoy the skies together with our special 2-for-1 admission deal! 🎟️🎟️

📅 When: Every Tuesday
🕒 Time: 10am-5pm
📍 Where: Kansas Aviation Museum

Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of aviation history, explore incredible exhibits, and make memories soaring through time! 🚀✨

Don't miss out on this fantastic offer - because great experiences are meant to be shared! Tag your wingman and make plans to fly by! 🚁👫 ✈️🌐

11/13/2023

Such a beautiful plane! This 20’s Laird Swallow wowed Wichitans with its ease of flight. Originally nicknamed the Wichita Tractor, on-lookers noticed its flight and said it looks like a Swallow. The rest became history as Laird would transition to Swallow and manufacture for several years.

11/11/2023

Visit us Sunday - November 12th! Free admission Sunday for all active and retired military members.