Wichita Honored to Host National Aviation Hall of Fame’s Enshrinement

Wichita Honored to Host National Aviation Hall of Fame's Enshrinement

09.25.25 · Ashley Bowen Cook

Last week, the who's who of aviation descended upon Wichita, Kansas, the Air Capital of the World for The National Aviation Hall of Fame 61st Annual Enshrinement Dinner & Ceremony. This was only the second location the Enshrinement has been held outside of Dayton, Ohio, home of the NAHF since its inception.

People showed up and Wichita showed off. Future-forward eVTOL manufacturer Joby Aviation set up its simulator outside of Doc's Hangar and spoke to the Wichita Aero Club that week. The Classic Learjet Foundation hosted a luncheon with aviation legend Clay Lacy, a Wichita native, and industry leader Ed Bolen. Cirrus Aircraft served as the President's Reception Sponsor at WSU Tech's NICHE venue, while our hometown Cessna Beechcraft by Textron Aviation took the spot as Enshrinement Presenting Sponsor. Aviation was everywhere.

More than 500 people filled Doc's Hangar to honor aviation legends: Julie Clark, John Goglia, Dr. Mae Jemison, Lloyd W. "Fig" Newton, the late Phoebe Omile and the late Frank Robinson. From early pioneers to space and military achievers, hearing the stories of each enshrinee's rise to excellence and their many contributions to industry, community and humanity was awe-inspiring. Colleague Stephanie Stover and I were fortunate enough to be guests of longtime client Gary Dunn, President of Aviation Partners, Inc. It was an amazing evening celebrating both the past and the future of aviation.

With Doc, our beloved B-29 Superfortress, watching over the crowd, the evening was a wonderful reminder of the magic of the Air Capital and its special place within aviation's history, present and future.