For the first time ever, the Annual Dinner and Meeting was actually held at the museum.  As Operations Director John Roper pointed out, “We are touted as one of the great venues to hold an event, however we always held our own events somewhere else.  It only made sense to have our meetings in our own building.”

Guests were also allowed to view the newly renovated museum archives, gift shop, restrooms and maintenance facilities.  Executive Committee member Jim Dickerson said, “This is the first renovation for the museum since it moved to its current location over 10 years ago.” 

Attendees were also given a preview of the newly completed video that all visitors get to see in the new movie room as they enter the museum.  The video is narrated by Kathy Quinn of NBC affiliate KSHB - 41.

The new initiatives for 2012 were also laid out during the presentation which included more renovations and flying aircraft before the end of the year.  New Board members were also announced as well as other appointments including the new Chief Pilot for the Constellation, Butch Lang.

The keynote speaker at the dinner was Congressman Sam Graves who spoke on a variety of aviation related issues.  Graves remarked on the proposed user fees, navigational changes coming over the next several years and aviation funding.

Congressman Sam Graves is a life long resident of Missouri's Sixth Congressional District.  As a small businessman and a sixth-generation, full-time family farmer, Sam spent his life working to make Missouri a better place to live, work, and raise a family.

In Congress, Sam serves as the Chairman of the Small Business Committee. Small businesses create 7 out of every 10 jobs in this country. It is important that our policies encourage innovators and entrepreneurs to follow their dreams and create jobs. Sam also serves on the Transportation Committee where he continues to fight for Missouri roads, bridges, rail lines and airports.

The doors will open at 6 p.m. and there will be a cash bar followed by a buffet dinner at 6:30.  The cost of the dinner this year will remain at $27, just as it has been in the past.  All reservations must be received no later than January 20, 2012.  Please make checks payable to the National Airline History Museum.   Please mail payments to the National Airline History Museum, 201 NW Lou Holland Dr. Kansas City, MO 64116 or you can order tickets online.

Annual Dinner Seats

1 seat $27.00 USD 2 seats $54.00 USD 3 seats $81.00 USD 4 seats $108.00 USD

The doors will open at 6 p.m. and there will be a cash bar followed by a buffet dinner at 6:30.  The cost of the dinner this year will remain at $27, just as it has been in the past.  All reservations must be received no later than January 20, 2012.  Please make checks payable to the National Airline History Museum.   Please mail payments to the National Airline History Museum, 201 NW Lou Holland Dr. Kansas City, MO 64116 or you can order tickets online.

Annual Dinner Seats

1 seat $27.00 USD 2 seats $54.00 USD 3 seats $81.00 USD 4 seats $108.00 USD

The doors will open at 6 p.m. and there will be a cash bar followed by a buffet dinner at 6:30.  The cost of the dinner this year will remain at $27, just as it has been in the past.  All reservations must be received no later than January 20, 2012.  Please make checks payable to the National Airline History Museum.   Please mail payments to the National Airline History Museum, 201 NW Lou Holland Dr. Kansas City, MO 64116 or you can purchse tickets online..

Annual Dinner Seats

1 seat $27.00 USD 2 seats $54.00 USD 3 seats $81.00 USD 4 seats $108.00 USD

The National Airline History Museum continues to be on schedule with its renovation that is a multi faceted process which includes a complete remodel of the museum, restructuring of the hangar areas, a complete inventory of all NAHM assets and repairs and replacement of our ground support equipment and facilities.  As you can see by the photos, we have also repaired large areas in our hangar and our new video room is nearly complete.

In keeping with the current conservation standards, the museum seeking to optimize the protection of artifacts which has not been adequately done at the museum in the past. These include minimizing UV exposure, including both daylight and fluorescent light. The National Airline History Museum has developed a quite innovative and economical solution to this issue, and the covering of windows and utilization of LED lighting is considered the best approach by today's standards. 

The National Airline History Museum hopes to have the renovations complete and have the museum back open for the new year.  In addition, the NAHM annual dinner will be held on January 28^th and unlike in the past, the event will be held at the museum so we may feature the great improvements.  Keep watching this web site for updates.

Commemorating the date: 11/11/11, Camo to Glamo is selecting 11 female veterans as they transition from their military service to the work place. Camo to Glamo will highlight their experience including a new professional look for each of them. “It’s our hope that by the end of the evening, on November 11th, these women can truly feel our sincere appreciation for their military service, the sacrifices they made for our country, and our hope for their continued success,” explains Juliann Kelley, eWomenNetwork Executive Managing Director.

Each of the 11 veterans will be outfitted with a professional look styled and provided by local boutiques, a hair and cosmetics makeover and the chance to strut their stuff at the event to be held at the National Airline History Museum located at the Downtown Wheeler Airport.

Through this event, the eWomenNetwork strives to raise awareness on the unique challenges facing female veterans and to fund support services. Tickets are available starting at $30.

For more information and details go to www.camotoglamo.com

Lester was born April 5, 1930 in West Liberty Iowa, the son of Guy Hildebrand and Harriet Arnold. After graduating from high school in 1948 he attended a trade school learning airplane maintenance. In Sept. 1950, Lester enlisted in the Navy. He returned to civilian life in 1954 and hired on at American Airlines in Tulsa, OK. This is where he met and married Patricia Carter on July 1, 1955. After accepting a job with TWA as a Flight Officer, Lester and Pat moved from Tulsa to Kansas City, in 1956. This is where they spent their years raising two children.

Lester retired from TWA in May 1986. In July 2005 they made their final home in Arkansas. He was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association (E.A.A.). Attending air shows with his aircraft and also as a crew member with the Connie gave him much pleasure. He enjoyed his air plane projects and his interest in flying never ended. He got to fulfill all his dreams; flying and seeing the world, traveling in his motor home, fishing, hunting, and especially spending time with family and friends. He loved life and he loved the people in his life.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia of the home; daughter and son-in-law, Tonya and Mark Overmyer of Kansas City, MO; son and daughter-in-law, Jon and Alice Hildebrand of Harrisonville, MO; sister, Dorothy Phelps of West Liberty, IA, two grand children, seven great-grand children and many nieces and nephews. Lester was a devoted husband, father, and friend. He lived his Life in Christ. He will be missed and loved by many people.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 2 from 5:00 to 7:00pm at Mt Moriah Terrace Park. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Nov. 3 at 10:00am at the funeral home. In lieu flowers, make donations to the National Airline History Museum or donor's favorite charity. Condolences to mounttmoriahterracepark.com Mount Moriah Terrace Funeral Home, 801 NW 108th St, Kansas City, MO 64155.

In keeping with the current conservation standards, the museum seeking to optimize the protection of artifacts which has not been adequately done at the museum in the past. These include minimizing UV exposure, including both daylight and fluorescent light. The National Airline History Museum has developed a quite innovative and economical solution to this issue, and the covering of windows and utilization of LED lighting is considered the best approach by today's standards. 

The National Airline History Museum hopes to have the renovations complete and have the museum back open in time for the Holidays.

The NAHM renovation is a multi faceted process which includes a complete remodel of the museum, restructuring of the hangar areas, a compete inventory of all NAHM assets and repairs and replacement of our ground support equipment and facilities.

The NAHM has been happy to welcome in a number of new volunteers during this process.  These volunteers have already made great strides in repairing equipment and making improvements to our facilities while others have been working on the arduous task of organizing all of our flight manuals and getting them back up to speed.

During this process, our museum will continue to be closed to drop in tours, however we are still doing a number of group tours and hosting our events.

Attendees wore World War II-era attire or military uniforms of various periods.