Category Archives: WAC Trophy
November 3, 2018
EAA’s CEO will receive award at January 26 Gala in Wichita Jack Pelton was actually the creator of the Wichita Aero Club (WAC) which will honor him with the presentation of its annual Wichita Aero Club Trophy at a gala in Wichita on January 26, 2019. During the summer of 2008, he was a guest speaker at the Atlanta Aero Club. Upon returning to Wichita, where he served as CEO of Cessna Aircraft Company at the time, he wondered aloud why the “Air Capital of the World” didn’t hav e its own aero club? His query prompted local aviation leaders to pursue the idea, and Pelton enthusiastically helped secure financial backing, leading to the announcement of the WAC at the 2008 National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Annual Meeting & Convention several months later. It only seems fitting that the man who provided the impetus for the founding of the organization should be honored on its 10th anniversary.
Mr. Pelton, the Chief Executive Officer of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), is also a DIrector of DOC’s FRIENDS, the 501c3 nonprofit board managing the operation of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress known as DOC. He was named EAA’s President and CEO in November 2015, formally adding those responsibilities to the Chairman of the Board role to which he was first elected in October 2012.
“Jack Pelton is tremendously deserving of the WAC Trophy and he also warrants special recognition for his work on behalf of the B-29 DOC Restoration effort, as well,” said Dave Franson, president of the Wichita Aero Club. “If it has anything to do with aviation and education, you can bet Jack will be involved and supportive. He’s a walking encyclopedia of the industry and an enthusiastic owner and operator of aircraft. As the son of pilot/parents, he’s been immersed in this industry since he was a kid. We’re extremely pleased to honor him in this way,” Franson added.
The citation which accompanied Pelton’s nomination reads:
Jack Pelton’s contributions and impact on both the Wichita community and the aviation industry are legendary. His lifelong dedication, leadership and influence on legislation, regulation and taxation continue to shape our industry and will do so for future generations.
Mr. Pelton was the first elected Chairman from outside EAA’s founding Poberezny family. In his role as Chairman/CEO, Pelton leads the organization’s board and staff in its mission of growing participation in aviation and inspiring people to fly, build, and further engage in flight.
He is a lifelong, passionate aviation enthusiast, following in the footsteps of his parents. He built his first airplane with his father as members of EAA Chapter 1 (Riverside, Calif.) in the 1970s. Pelton is an EAA Lifetime Member who has also been devoted to restoring and flying vintage aircraft, even as he reached the highest levels within the aviation industry over the past three decades. He currently holds airline transport and commercial pilot certificates, and has earned instrument, multi-engine and seaplane ratings, plus type ratings for the Cessna Citation and Cessna Mustang jets.
Jack is the retired chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Cessna Aircraft Company, headquartered in Wichita. In his decade with Cessna, beginning as senior vice president of product engineering, he oversaw new aircraft development, testing, certification, and improvements for all Cessna models.
Prior to joining Cessna, Pelton was senior vice president of engineering for Dornier Aircraft in Germany. He began his career with Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach, California, where he rose within the company in operations, engineering, and program management.
Pelton’s knowledge and experience has also been a valuable asset throughout the aviation community. He is past chairman of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association board, and has served on the boards of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the National Business Aviation Association, and the Corporate Angel Network. In addition to his role on DOC’s FRIENDS’ board, he is also involved with numerous local organizations in the Wichita area where he and his wife, Rose, make their home. Pelton has also served as volunteer chairman of EAA’s Gathering of Eagles, the annual fundraiser held during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh that has raised millions of dollars to inspire youth in pursuit of aviation dreams.
Mr. Pelton has received numerous awards through his career. In 2017, he received the National Aeronautic Association’s Distinguished Statesman of Aviation Award, the FAA’s Friend of Safety Award, and induction into the Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame. His other honors include the 2010 Lindbergh Award for balancing technology and nature, the 2008 Aviation Week Laurel for Business and General Aviation, and EAA’s highest honor, the Freedom of Flight Award.
About the WAC Trophy
Previous winners of the Wichita Aero Club Trophy are:
- Velma Wallace 2011
- Jeff Turner, Spirit AeroSystems 2012
- John O’Leary, Airbus Americas 2013
- Russell W. Meyer, Jr. 2014
- Al Higdon, 2015
- DOC’s Friends Volunteers, 2016
- Paul Bowen, 2017
- Lynn Nichols, 2018
Read all about the previous recipients here. >
Established in 2008 to foster and promote interest in aviation and provide a forum focused on the industry’s issues and achievements, the Wichita Aero Club brings those with a passion for flight together in an environment that expands and enhances professional relationships and furthers cooperation and understanding.
The WAC Trophy is awarded annually to a living person, group or existing organization with a strong relationship to the greater Wichita area who have distinguished themselves in the field of aviation or aerospace within the most recent calendar year or during a cumulative career of significant achievement and contribution. For more information on the Wichita Aero Club, the January Gala or other Wichita Aero Club events, call 316-665-2699 or visit the Wichita Aero Club website at www.wichitaaeroclub.org.
October 11, 2017
The eighth annual Wichita Aero Club Trophy will be presented to a Chief Executive Officer who led the revival of a virtually dormant business to impressive levels of success—even during an industry-wide recession—and to his team of employees at Yingling Aviation, which currently holds a well-deserved reputation as one of the nation’s leading fixed base operations, maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities and parts suppliers.
“Yingling is definitely a familiar name to Cessna owners all over the world and, of course, in more recent days to Beechcraft and other aircraft operators,” noted Dave Franson, Wichita Aero Club President. “They were actually the first Cessna dealers and celebrated their 70th anniversary in 2016 and they’re still the largest Cessna parts supplier in the world. But all of that history might have been lost if Lynn Nichols hadn’t rescued what had become a floundering enterprise by 1999. He brought his exceptional energy, business acumen, a sense of direction and proven principles that had an obvious, positive impact and have allowed Yingling to grow and develop new opportunities even during a difficult period for general and business aviation.”
The citation which accompanied Mr. Nichols’ and Yingling’s nomination reads:
For providing exceptional services, exemplary business practices, job-generating initiatives and creative alternatives that advance both the industry and the community, Lynn Nichols and Yingling Aviation have achieved notable success during a difficult business cycle for general and business aviation and are deserving of the Wichita Aero Club Trophy.
The nomination stated that Nichols literally “rescued” Yingling from imminent closure and has brought it to the point that it is now one of the industry’s leading FBOs, maintenance and service facilities, and the “go-to” destination for a broad range of products and services, ranging from interior modifications, to aircraft overhauls, to propeller services to AOG parts.
It went on to note that “Yingling continues to add solutions to the industry’s major challenges, developing new maintenance procedures and programs that extend the lives of legacy aircraft to introducing affordable remanufactured airplanes that make it possible for flight schools flying clubs and individuals to pursue additional training and a new generation of student pilots. Yingling gained unparalleled experience maintaining Cessna’s line of propeller-driven aircraft, which ranged from the early two-place Model 120s and 140s all the way to the turboprop Caravans and Conquests during its seven decades as one of the world’s leading service facilities for the entire line of Cessna products. In 2015, it also became an authorized service center for Beechcraft propeller driven airplanes. The addition of the Bonanza and Baron products came as no surprise, since Yingling has, throughout its history, been involved in a continual expansion of its services and has grown its capacity and capabilities in engine, airframe, avionics, propeller and parts support to compliment the strong background and reputation it developed as leaders in interior modifications. The company previously grew that enterprise to include other than Cessna products, so the Textron Aviation acquisition was a logical opportunity to extend their industry leading maintenance and service capabilities to cover Beechcraft’s line of piston propeller driven aircraft, as well.”
Yingling is an FAA and EASA Approved Part 145 repair station. It is a factory authorized service provider for Avidyne, Bendix/King, Chelton, Garmin, Honeywell, L3, NAT, PS Engineering, Rockwell Collins, Sandel and Genesys Aerosystems avionics and operates McCauley, MT Propeller and Sensenich factory authorized prop shops. The facility, located on Wichita’s Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, also offers one of the country’s most popular pilot shops, the Aviator’s Attic, a source for just about everything a pilot needs, including aviation-related gifts, training manuals, books, handheld avionics, and apparel and is home to a Subway Cafe, too.
Lynn Nichols continues to grow Yingling’s business while also serving the community. He is a past chairman of the Wichita Chamber of Commerce and serves on the boards of several local business and charities, including DOC’s FRIENDS, the group involved with the restoration, return to flight and finding a permanent hangar and home for the Wichita-built B-29.
“Lynn’s long-time service and commitment to the community of Wichita, his leadership in the aviation industry, and his noteworthy and ongoing success make him a highly deserving candidate for the Wichita Aero Club trophy,” stated Jeff Peier, Chairman of the Wichita Aero Club Board. The Trophy will be awarded to Mr. Nichols in January, 2018. Details of the event will be announced in the near future.
Previous winners of the Wichita Aero Club Trophy are:
- Velma Wallace 2011
- Jeff Turner, Spirit AeroSystems 2012
- John O’Leary, Airbus Americas 2013
- Russell W. Meyer, Jr. 2014
- Al Higdon, 2015
- DOC’s Friends Volunteers, 2016
- Paul Bowen, 2017
Established in 2008 to foster and promote interest in aviation and provide a forum focused on the industry’s issues and achievements, the Wichita Aero Club brings those with a passion for flight together in an environment that expands and enhances professional relationships and furthers cooperation and understanding.
The WAC Trophy is awarded annually to a living person, group or existing organization with a strong relationship to the greater Wichita area who have distinguished themselves in the field of aviation or aerospace within the most recent calendar year or during a cumulative career of significant achievement and contribution.
