Wichita Aero Club

What Wichita Aero Club does

Wichita Aero Club is a nonprofit membership organization based in Wichita, Kansas — the 'Air Capital of the World' — that operates as the primary regional forum for aviation professionals. Originally founded in 1915 and revived in its current form in 2008, the club today serves aviation industry professionals, corporate organizations, and aviation enthusiasts through a tiered membership program (Corporate $1,500, Industry Partner $750, Business $400, Individual $125, and Discounted Individual $60 annually), monthly networking luncheons featuring prominent speakers from aviation, government, industry, and media, and an annual black-tie Trophy Gala that recognizes aviation leaders.

The organization's core offerings are exclusively community- and event-based: there is no technology product, software platform, API, or proprietary digital asset. Members gain access to in-person networking, monthly events, the annual Trophy Gala, and STEAM aviation scholarships funded through membership dues and fundraising events such as the summer golf tournament. Marketing and distribution are conducted through the club's website, email newsletter, and social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn), with no reseller or third-party distribution network.

Operationally, the club is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors drawn from major Wichita-area aerospace companies — Airbus Americas, Textron Aviation, Bombardier, Lee Aerospace, VSE Aviation, Yingling Aviation, Klenda Austerman LLC, and Gallagher Aerospace — alongside academic (Wichita State University/NIAR) and media (Aviation Week Network) representation. The leadership team includes President Nicole Alexander, Board Chair Tracee Friess (since January 2025), and Executive Director Ashley Bowen Cook. Revenue is not disclosed; the organization is described as self-sustaining through membership fees and fundraising, with no external ownership or parent company.

Name

Wichita Aero Club

Legal name

Wichita Aero Club

Website

https://wichitaaero.club

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Wichita Aero Club is a nonprofit aviation membership organization that serves aviation professionals, corporate organizations, and enthusiasts in Wichita, Kansas, through tiered memberships, monthly networking events, an annual Trophy Gala, and STEAM aviation scholarships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Industry Networking and Professional Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (813920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Membership Clubs (Category-Focused) (CRAEADAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Executive Summits & Invitation-Only Forums (MPAGAGAK)

Keywords

• Aviation networking
• Professional membership
• Aviation events
• STEAM scholarships
• Community building

Headquarters

HQ city

Wichita

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: The organization generates revenue primarily through annual membership fees at multiple tiers including Corporate, Industry Partner, Business, Individual, and Discounted Individual memberships. These recurring fees provide access to networking events, monthly luncheons, and the annual Trophy Gala.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Wichita Aero Club is a nonprofit membership organization that provides aviation industry networking through tiered annual memberships, monthly luncheons with prominent aviation speakers, an annual Trophy Gala recognizing aerospace leaders, and STEAM aviation scholarships. The club's primary deliverables are community access, recognition events, and educational funding for the Wichita aviation community.

Product overview

Wichita Aero Club is a non-profit aviation community organization (not a technology company) that offers a tiered membership program with five levels: Corporate Membership ($1,500/year), Industry Partner ($750/year), Business Membership ($400/year), Individual Membership ($125/year), and Discounted Individual ($60/year). The club hosts monthly networking events featuring aviation industry speakers, an annual Trophy Gala, and summer golf fundraisers. The organization provides STEAM aviation scholarships to support the next generation of aviation leaders. The club operates primarily as an in-person community organization with no software products, APIs, or technology platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Corporate Membership Premium membership tier at $1,500 per year offering the highest level of access to Wichita Aero Club networking events, scholarships, and aviation community engagement for corporate representatives.
• Industry Partner Membership Mid-tier membership at $750 per year for organizations seeking to engage with Wichita's aviation community and support STEAM initiatives.
• Business Membership Membership tier at $400 per year for businesses looking to connect with aviation industry leaders and participate in club events.
• Individual Membership Standard individual membership at $125 per year providing access to monthly networking events and the aviation community.
• Discounted Individual Membership Reduced-cost membership at $60 per year for military personnel, retirees, and students to participate in the aviation community.
• Monthly Networking Events Regular luncheons featuring prominent speakers from aviation, government, industry, and media that bring together aviation professionals for networking.
• Wichita Aero Club Trophy Gala Annual black-tie gala recognizing outstanding leaders in the aviation and aerospace community with the prestigious Wichita Aero Club Trophy.
• STEAM Aviation Scholarships Scholarships and financial support provided to young people pursuing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) aviation initiatives and education.
• Summer Golf Tournament Annual summer golf tournament fundraiser supporting Wichita Aero Club's mission and scholarship programs.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• B-29 Doc HangarcoreOthersThe B-29 Doc Hangar serves as the permanent residence for the Wichita Aero Club Trophy. This partnership provides a prestigious, historically significant venue for displaying the trophy and hosting trophy-related events.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA): AOPA is the largest aviation membership association in the United States, offering member services, advocacy, and community for pilots and aircraft owners. Comparable to WAC as a membership-based aviation organization, though AOPA operates nationally with significantly broader scope and scale.
• Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA): EAA is a large international aviation membership organization focused on recreational flying, aircraft building, and aviation community. Comparable to WAC as a membership-driven aviation community, though EAA is significantly larger and focuses on sport/recreational aviation rather than industry networking.
• National Business Aviation Association (NBAA): NBAA is the leading membership organization for business aviation, hosting major industry events like the Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE). Comparable to WAC as a membership-based aviation industry organization, though NBAA operates at a national scale and targets the business aviation segment specifically.

Others

• Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition: The regional economic development organization for the Wichita metro area with a strong focus on aerospace industry growth. Adjacent to WAC because both serve the Wichita aerospace ecosystem, though GWEDC's mandate is economic development rather than professional networking.

Direct peers

• Aero Club of New England: A regional aviation networking and recognition club serving the New England aerospace community. Direct peer to WAC in structure and mission: regional aviation networking, events, scholarships, and leadership recognition, though serving a different geography.
• The Wings Club: The Wings Club is a New York-based aviation industry networking organization founded in 1942 that hosts luncheons, scholarships, and recognition events. The most direct peer to WAC, sharing the same membership networking, scholarships, and aviation leader recognition model, though operating in a different geography.

Regional players

• Aerospace States Association: A multi-state aerospace industry organization that promotes aviation and aerospace development across participating U.S. states. Comparable to WAC as a nonprofit aviation advocacy and community organization, though operating across state lines rather than within a single city.

Emerging players

• Women in Aviation International: A nonprofit membership organization dedicated to encouraging women in aviation careers through networking, scholarships, and education. Comparable to WAC's scholarship and community engagement mission, though with a narrower demographic focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wichitaaeroclub
• Facebookfacebook.com/WichitaAeroClub
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wichita-aeroclub

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wichita Aero Club