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 http://www.gretemangroup.com, call 316-263-1004 or stop by at 1425 E. Douglas in Wichita, KS 67211.