Fly Kansas Tour gets underway Thursday

The 2017 Fly Kansas Air Tour lifts off from Wellington Thursday for a three-day, 10-city celebration of Kansas aviation.
This year’s tour, presented by the Kansas Commission on Aerospace Education and the Kansas Department of Transportation, promotes STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education and highlights the benefits of local airports to their communities, Kansas, and the nation. The tour focuses on raising awareness on the importance of community airports and introducing aviation to young people.
Over 50 pilots along with their aircraft are expected to participate in the tour and engage with students across the state. More than 500 students are expected to visit their local airports during the tour. From tales of legendary fliers such as Amelia Earhart at the memorial airport in Atchison to information about all types of aviation careers, students will have this opportunity to learn all about aviation in the state of Kansas.
“The air tour is an opportunity to promote Kansas aviation and share the message that aviation is open to all,” said Ed Young, president of the Kansas Commission on Aerospace Education and Fly Kansas Foundation.
“This is a great opportunity for us to connect students with aviators,” said Merrill Atwater, KDOT’s Division of Aviation Director. “Kansas has such a rich history of aviation and it is important for us to celebrate this industry and who we are as Kansans.”
The public is encouraged to visit the local airports during the tour stops to see the airplanes up close, talk to the pilots and learn about the role of aviation in Kansas.

The tour schedule:

Thursday, Sept. 28
Wellington
8 a.m. - Aircraft Arrival
10:30 a.m. -Departure

Liberal
12:30 p.m. - Aircraft Arrival
2:30 p.m. - Departure

Dodge City
3:30 p.m. - Aircraft Arrival
4:30 p.m. - Departure

Hays
5:30 p.m. - Aircraft Arrival

Friday, Sept. 29
Hays
10:00 a.m. - Departure

Concordia
11 a.m. - Aircraft Arrival
1 p.m. - Departure

Atchison
2:15 p.m. - Aircraft Arrival
4 p.m. - Departure

New Century
4:30 p.m. - Aircraft Arrival

Saturday, Sept. 30
New Century
9:30 a.m. - Departure

Pittsburg
10:30 a.m. - Aircraft Arrival
12:30 p.m. - Departure

Independence
1 p.m. - Aircraft Arrival
3 p.m. - Departure