FlightSafety CEO will address April 13 Wichita Aero Club Luncheon

Bruce Whitman has been around business and general aviation for a long time. He made his first trip to Wichita to visit with Bill Lear in the early ’60s. Bruce joined FlightSafety International in 1961 as Assistant to the President after two years as Senior Executive Assistant with the National Business Aircraft Association. Later that year, he was elected Vice President and a Director of the company. In 1962, he was named Executive Vice President. He was promoted to CEO in 2003.

He has held numerous leadership positions within the industry, serving on the Associate Membership Advisory Council of the National Business Aircraft Association and Board of Governors and Executive Committees of the Flight Safety Foundation and the Civil Air Patrol. He has also spent time on the boards of several aerospace companies and is a past president of the Wings Club in New York.

“Bruce has a passion for aviation and training and he knows this industry like the back of his hand,” said Dave Franson, President of the Wichita Aero Club. “We’re extremely happy to have him address the WAC since FlightSafety has such a major presence in our community,” he added.

Mr. Whitman is currently Chairman Emeritus and a member of the Executive Committee of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation; Chairman of the Audit Committee and member of the Executive Committee ofORBISInternational; a Director Emeritus of the Civil Air Patrol and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. He is on the Boards of the Aerospace Industries Association, Corporate Angel Network, General Aviation Manufacturers Association and National Aeronautic Association; Trustee of the Air Force Academy Falcon Foundation and past Vice Chairman; Trustee of Kent School; a Trustee, member of the Executive Committee and Vice Chair of the Development Committee of the National World War II Museum; member of the Board and Audit Committee of Business Executives for National Security; and Vice Chairman of theUSOof Metropolitan New York.

Following graduation from Kent School in 1951, he spent two summers as a seaman with the United States Merchant Marine while attending Trinity College, where he was on the Varsity Tennis Team for three years, and a member of Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. Graduating in 1955 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, he was commissioned a lieutenant in the United States Air Force and earned the 6triple ratings of pilot, navigator and bombardier serving in the Strategic Air Command. In 1957, he was appointed Assistant to the Commander, Homestead Air Force Base.

After active duty, he attended George Washington University Law School for two years. While at GWU, he flew as a Captain for East Coast Flying Service and was a pilot in the Air Force Reserve. During that time, he was Vice President of the Trinity College Washington Alumni Association. Later he also served as Vice President of the King School Board of Trustees.

The Wichita Aero Club luncheon on April 13 will be held at the Hotel at Old Town from 11:30 until 1:30 pm. Lunch begins at noon. Cost to attend is $30 for Aero Club members and $40 for visitors. The event is open to the public. For more information or to secure seats at the luncheon, call 665-2699 or pay by credit card or PayPal by visiting the Wichita Aero Club website at www.wichitaaeroclub.org.

Bruce Whitman