About the Wac trophy

Past Aero Club Trophy Recipients: (Left to right) Dr. John Tomblin, Al Higdon, Paul Bowen, Senator Jerry Moran, Ron Ryan, Jeff Turner, Lynn Nichols

The Wichita Aero Club Trophy

The Wichita Aero Club continues to build upon the tradition it began in 2009 by selecting a deserving candidate with solid ties to the Wichita and Kansas aviation community.

The Trophy Selection Committee, chaired by Ashley Bowen Cook, president of the Greteman Group, includes members of the Wichita Aero Club Board of Directors and prominent members of the aviation community. The Selection Committee evaluates new and previously submitted nominations that still conform to the criteria.

The 2025 nomination period is now open!

Members of the aviation community and the general public are encouraged to follow the nomination criteria outlined below. The recipient will be announced at a special reception in October. The recipient will then be recognized at the Wichita Aero Club Trophy Gala in early 2026. Details to be announced for both events.

Nomination criteria

The Wichita Aero Club Trophy is awarded annually to a living person, group, or organization with a strong relationship to the greater Wichita area. The nominee(s) will be considered on the basis of exemplary achievements in the aerospace field accomplished during the past year or, as appropriate, over an extended period or career.

Nomination Details

  • The name, affiliation (if applicable), address, telephone number and e-mail address of the person making the nomination are required information on the form. The identity of nominators will remain proprietary.

  • A citation (40 words or fewer) that captures the essence of the achievement for which the nomination is being submitted is required.

  • All nomination materials will become the property of the WAC.

Wallace Trophy.jpg

Acknowledging Legacy: A Look Back

The Wichita Aero Club Trophy was created to recognize both contemporaneous accomplishment or a lifetime of achievement. The first WAC Trophy went to Mrs. Velma Wallace, who has been associated with Wichita’s aviation history since its early days. That doesn’t mean that nominees can’t come from the ranks of individuals, groups, or organizations whose recognition is based on a recent milestone or singular event that warrant consideration.

Trophy Design

Sculptor and trophy creator Chris Brunner chose elements that represented the eyes-turned-skyward spirit of aviation. A translucent blue pyramid featuring the Wichita Aero Club logo harkens to the ancient form through which man strived to reach the heavens. Its delta shape is also representative of the modern form of advanced flight. The translucent aspect of the trophy represents the atmosphere, with contrails wrapping upward from the base. The trophy’s pedestal of stainless steel framework gives recognition to Wichita’s aircraft manufacturing legacy.

This beautiful achievement trophy permanently, prominently, and proudly resides at the B-29 Doc Hangar, Education and Visitors Center.

2024 Trophy recipient

The Wichita Aero Club selected Fred Berry as the recipient of the 2024 Wichita Aero Club Trophy. Mr. Berry is the co-founder and Chairman Emeritus of Berry Companies, Inc.