Much for Aviation History Buffs at WAI Dayton Connect

August 21, 2017 - The Women in Aviation International Connect event in Dayton, Ohio, on September 29-30, 2017, offers a weekend jam-packed with aviation history. The two-day, Friday and Saturday gathering will be held at the Marriott Hotel at the University of Dayton and begins with a tour of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park sites, including Hawthorn Hill, the Wright family mansion; Carillon Historical Park; Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center and the Wright Cycle Company; and the Huffman-Prairie Flying Field, the location of Wright Brothers’ test flights. 

The tour of the Dayton aviation sites is followed by a tour of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

As an alternate, attendees may participate in a tour of the GE Aviation's EPISCenter located on the campus of University of Dayton. This $51 million, 138,000 square foot facility is where researchers and students work side-by-side with GE Aviation scientists and engineers to create new advanced electrical power technologies for aircraft and cars.
 
WAI Connect Dayton activities begin with a reception and book signing to meet aviation history authors including Timothy Gaffney (The Dayton Flight Factory); Nancy Roe Pimm (The Jerrie Mock Story); and Sarah Rickman who has written two books about the WASP.
 
“With the extensive tour of Wright Brothers sites, an attendee will become a Wright Brothers expert. Even those of us who think we know a lot about Orville and Wilbur will no doubt learn much more on Friday’s tour,” said Women in Aviation International President Dr. Peggy Chabrian. “Then on Saturday, we turn our attention to the future and some of the new technologies that will impact aviation.”
 
The second day of Dayton Connect offers a roster of speakers including Dawn Dewey, head of special collections & archives at Wright State University; General Ellen Pawlikowski, commander, Air Force Materiel Command, WPAFB, Ohio; Margaret Soda, vice president of human resources, PSA Airlines; Sharon Rossmark, founder of Women and Drones; and Patty Wagner, air show performer.
 
Girls’ robotic teams from area schools will also put on a demonstration.
 
The early registration discount ($50 off) is available online until August 28 for those who sign up for the Connect Event and the Dayton history tour. Registration takes place on line at Connect Dayton and is open to WAI members and non-members. Take advantage of the WAI group rate and book a room by August 28 at the Marriott University of Dayton.