R&D Brief Vol 5. Num. 16    October 9, 2008   NIAR joins Wichita Aero Club as Founding Member The National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) at Wichita State University has partnered with the National Center for Aviation Training (NCAT) to become a Founding Member of the new Wichita Aero Club.   Modeled after the Aero Clubs of Washington and Atlanta and The Wings Club in New York, the new consortium of local business, government and educational entities aims to provide a forum for discussion of key industry issues, recognition of achievements and innovations in aerospace and promotion of aviation-related educational and career development initiatives.  “With an impressive list of speakers who have already committed to participate and a broad base of interesting topics to explore, we expect the WAC to generate enthusiasm and no small amount of attention at its monthly luncheons,” said WAC Executive Director Dave Franson. “We're excited about what the Club will mean to both the local aviation community and the industry as a whole.” The newly constituted Wichita Aero Club my be a revival of a previous entity. An organization bearing the same name was chartered in 1915, but it faded from existence after a ballooning event around the same time. The current Wichita Aero Club will operate on a non-profit basis, promote aviation education, provide scholarships and support aviation-related projects. “NIAR already has a reputation for partnering with the local community to advance the aviation industry,” said NIAR Executive Director John Tomblin. “We're excited to join with our NCAT partners in this founding membership to show our continuing support for Wichita’s heritage and its future as the Air Capital of the World.” Other Founding Members who have pledged $10,000 each to launch the self-sustaining group include Air Capital Insurance, Bombardier Learjet, Cessna Aircraft Co., FlightSafety International, Hawker Beechcraft Corp., Klenda Mitchell Austerman & Zuercher LL, Labinal, PIM Aviation Insurance, Pratt & Whitney Canada, Spirit AeroSystems Inc., Sullivan Higdon & Sink and Yingling Aviation. The Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition has signed on as a Charter Member. Corporate charter memberships are available for a one-time donation of $5,000. Regular corporate members will pay annual dues of $1,000. Individuals can join for a one-time founder’s fee of $100 for the first year and $55 annually thereafter. Student, retiree, and government/military memberships are available for $25 per year. The founding and charter memberships will be available until Dec. 31. The club also plans to have a website, publish an online newsletter, host fundraising events and award a trophy each year to a prominent contributor to local aviation. The organization’s website, which is not yet complete, will be located at http://www.wichitaaeroclub.org. For more information about the club, contact Dave Franson at (316) 681-4491.  The National Institute for Aviation Research is a prestigious state-of-the-art aerospace research and development laboratory with global reach and expertise in research, design, testing, and certification. The Institute’s clientele includes many of the world’s aerospace manufacturers, NASA and the FAA. It is the largest aviation R&D academic institution in America.  The National Institute for Aviation Research is an unincorporated division of Wichita State University.