The Kansas Aviation Museum’s annual gala Saturday night made me think. The room was filled with a diverse population of talented Wichitans in the aviation business. I met some new acquaintances — such as an American Airlines captain who commutes to Miami to work, a Bombardier demonstration pilot, an advanced design engineer, the head of Cessna’s pilot centers and more. And there were old acquaintances and friends there as well. What a treasure trove of aviation knowledge, skill and expertise Wichita is home to.
They turned out to hear Erik Lindbergh, Charles Lindbergh’s grandson give the keynote address. And to see Mort Brown, now 100 years old, be inducted into the Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame. Brown was chief pilot of production flight test for Cessna. In his 35-year career there, he released more than 85,000 new aircraft, logged more than 14,000 flights and accumulated 21,000 flight hours.
Also honored were former director of aviation with the Kansas Department of Transportation Michael Armour and the late Arch Merriam. Both received the Kansas Governor’s Aviation Honor Award.
