Topeka, Kan. — Aviation stakeholders from across Kansas will assemble to discuss jobs, infrastructure and emerging technologies as part of Aviation Day at the Capitol from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 17. The event is sponsored by the Kansas Department of Transportation and the Kansas Commission on Aerospace Education.
Numerous organizations will be participating and have booths on the first and second floors of the rotunda with information and demonstrations for visitors. The event helps increase awareness of aviation industry opportunities across the state.
“Kansas continues to play a pivotal role in aviation’s impact on our culture and economy,” said Julie Lorenz, Secretary of Transportation. “Aviation Day provides evidence how through public-private collaboration, the Kansas aviation industry continues to grow through innovation, exploration and manufacturing.”
Presentations will begin at 10 a.m. and take place on the first floor rotunda. Keynote speakers include: Secretary Lorenz; Andrew Schlapp, Wichita State University Executive Director of Government Relations & Strategy and Wichita State Innovation Alliance; and Joe Miniance, Urban Air Mobility Division Director of State and Local Policy Nathan Trail and Federal Aviation Administration Administrator.
Artwork from the 2022 International Aviation Art Contest statewide winners will also be on display reflecting this year’s theme: “Design Your Perfect Aircraft.” Over 120 pieces of art were submitted by students ages 6-17. These pieces will be sent to the nationwide contest later this month, and national winners will be shipped to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale in Lausanne, Switzerland, for final judging.
Other Aviation Day sponsors include:
- Kansas State University Aerospace and Technology Campus
- Textron Aviation
- Spirit Aerosystems
- Skydio
- Garver
- Lee Aerospace
- Kansas Association of Airports
- Wichita State University National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR)
- Garmin
- National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)
- Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)
- Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF)
- Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum
- Rans Aircraft
- University of Kansas College of Engineering
For more information on Aviation Day, contact Logan Falletti-Wright at 785-296-2553 or logan.falletti@ks.gov.
