The Rise of the Air Capital

Aviation History - How Wichita Became the Air Capital of the World.
Explore the fascinating story of how Wichita became the dominant center of aviation manufacture and airplane design. Albin Longren started it all in 1911 when he was first to fly a Kansas-built aircraft. Clyde Cessna built and flew a succession of planes here , including Silver Wings. Walter Beech, Lloyd Stearman and Matty Laird designed, manufactured and flew airplanes that put Wichita on the map and at the center of aviation innovation in the 1920s. Travel Air aircraft won early air races and spawned three aviation giants - Cessna Aircraft Company, Beechcraft and Stearman, which became Boeing Wichita. Mooney traces it roots to Wichita. And Bill Lear helped launch the business jet revolution with his Learjet in the 1960s. Today Wichita continues to produce a wide range of business and general aviation aircraft and, through Spirit AeroSystems, major components for commercial aircraft. In fact, Wichita has produced more than half of all the general aviation airplanes ever built.
Come fly with us. Greteman Group is a Wichita, Kansas-based advertising agency that specializes in aviation marketing communications. Our team serves a global list of clients both aerospace and non-aerospace. Learn more about us at www.gretemangro..., call 316-263-1004 or stop by at 1425 E. Douglas in Wichita, KS 67211.

[@kirtreeves7777]

Great video! Wichita has a lot to be proud of! Beech, Cessna, Boeing, Lear, Coleman, Pizza Hut, Vornado.

[@WichitaMetroChamber]

Never get tired of hearing this great story! Thanks for sharing.

[@chrismoody1342]

I was there in 63 when the first production Lear took to the air. My father an avid pilot learned of the demonstration and took us boys out the Municipal Airport to watch. I was a present for Jim Bedes first demonstration flight out at Newton Airport too. Man did that little Bede fuel my childhood dreams of flight. Finally a plane fit for a kid. Two Piper Tri Pacer and Two Mooney’s later, thx for memories pop.

[@ringogringo814]

I can remember several abandon aircraft plants in downtown Wichita in the early 1960s.
We used to climb all over them as children, we were little hellions!

[@kennedysingh3916]

Very interesting

[@domi-no1826]

12:00
Yo, moon has the Bugatti curve

[@joestephan1111]

The Lear Jet was created in Reno, Nevada by William Lear who also created the eight track stereo

[@elosogonzalez8739]

Not so sure Walter and Olive Ann Beech would have loved the idea of combination of Beech and Cessna together. Not sure they would have embraced the idea of TEXTRON taking over. No doubt Wichita is the Air Capital of the World!

[@cubby091398]

SOMETHING BIG WITH AN OBSERVATION DECK 500 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL NEEDS TO COME TO WICHITA. SOMETHING IN THE SHAPE OF A PLANE WOULD BE AWESOME.

[@LandonBarton]

So, this is neat :) lol