THE LATEST NEWS FROM AMK

April 2024

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Aviation Camps of Kentucky - Summer of 2024

'Girls In Aerospace' - newest addition to our aviation camps program


Registration for the summer of 2024 is now underway. Some financial aid may be available if required for a student to attend.


Flight lesson - Each student has the opportunity to fly in a real airplane as part of the camp program.


Topics in the camp - flight simulation, air traffic control, flight navigation, aeronautics, airplane instruments, airplane design, weather, NASA space, aerospace careers and airport operation.


Lunch, snacks, camp t-shirts, and other items are provided.


Location - Lexington 

Aviation Museum of Kentucky at Blue Grass Airport, Lexington

Dates of Camps: June 10-11, June 13-14, June 17-18 (Girls In Aerospace), June 20-21, June 24-25, and June 27-28 


Location - Bowling Green

Warren Co. Regional Airport 

Dates July 8-9, July 10-11


Location - Pikeville

Pike County Regional Airport (Hatcher Field)

Date July 24-25


Location - Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport

Dates - To be announced shortly


Click here to register


Age requirements: See each camp on the website during registration.


Financial aid directions will appear once a camp is chosen and registration starts. 

Click the financial aid button to begin.


Questions: email [email protected] or call 859-414-6639



Ignite a Child's Dream of Flight

Sponsor an Aviation Camp Student Today!


The skies are calling, but some young dreamers need your help to soar. Our aviation camps have received an overwhelming number of requests from eager students, but our aid fund is running low. By sponsoring a student, you'll make a lasting impact, fueling their passion for aviation and unlocking boundless possibilities.


Your generous contribution will provide a life-changing opportunity for a child to experience the thrill of flight, explore the wonders of aeronautics, and perhaps even discover their future career path. Imagine the joy on their face as they learn to navigate the skies, guided by our experienced instructors.


Don't let financial constraints ground their dreams. Lend your wings to these young aviators and watch them take flight!


Please make your tax-deductible donation payable to Aviation Museum of Kentucky with the memo line Camp student aid, and mail it to the attention of Gary Campbell at:


Aviation Museum of Kentucky

4029 Airport Road

Lexington, KY 40510-9681


Together, we can inspire the next generation of pilots, engineers, and aviation enthusiasts. Your support today will create ripples of impact for years to come.

Thank you for your generosity and for helping these young minds soar!


Save the Date: Kentucky Aviation 

Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

October 19, 2024

Please mark your calendars for Saturday, October 19th, 2024, when the Kentucky Aviation Hall of Fame will honor its newest inductees at the annual induction ceremony. The prestigious event will occur in the evening at the Kentucky Aviation Museum at Blue Grass Airport in Lexington.


This ceremony celebrates the remarkable achievements and contributions of individuals who have significantly impacted the aviation industry within the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Attendees will have the opportunity to witness the induction of these esteemed pioneers and hear their inspiring stories.


Tickets and more information will be released shortly for the Kentucky Aviation Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Stay tuned for further details and secure your spot to join this momentous occasion recognizing the state's aviation excellence.





Clark raises Hope at AMK


Shown above: Cynthia Barnes, CLARK MHC Community Relations Manager, AMK Member Don McFadden, AMK Chairman Ron McBride and Chuck Moratz, CLARK Global Headquarters President


AMK has received a generous donation from the Clark Material Handling Company, a Lexington-based firm, to help support our operations. On February 9, 2024, AMK was presented with a check for $1,000 to purchase the necessary batteries to keep our golf cart running.


This donation was made possible thanks to the dedicated efforts of AMK member Don McFadden, who tirelessly worked to secure this grant from Clark. Without the continued support of companies like Clark, our golf cart would have been out of service, hindering our ability to transport members and equipment around our facilities efficiently.


The Clark donation was further complemented by the kind consideration of Alan Houp, Vice President of Sales at Dever Golfcarts, Inc., who provided AMK with the needed batteries at a highly favorable cost. This combined support from both companies has ensured that our golf cart remains vital to our operations.


We are deeply grateful to Don McFadden for his unwavering dedication to AMK and his instrumental role in securing this grant from Clark. His commitment to our organization is truly invaluable. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Clark Material Handling Company and Dever Golfcarts, Inc. for their generous support. Their commitment to our cause is a shining example of the power of collaboration and its impact on our organization.


With the help of our members and community partners, AMK continues to thrive and provide exceptional services to our members. This donation exemplifies the power of collaboration and the importance of supporting one another.


AMK Simulator Sundays for March


Sunday Simulator dates will be April 7 and 21 from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. Bring family and friends to the museum to experience flight on one or all of our flight simulators, including one set up for helicopter flight. New to the aviation flight experience is our new virtual reality (VR) simulator option. VR technology offers a level of immersion that’s unparalleled by traditional displays, making you feel like you’re truly in the cockpit.  The Simulator Sunday Team will be on hand to help you.

 See you on the flight line!

Gone West Frederick Keller


Frederick Holland Keller, 81, of Wasilla, Alaska, passed away on January 15, 2024.



Fred was an award-winning, internationally-known builder of experimental aircraft. He was raised around the airplanes owned by his father, a Cynthiana farmer, and his uncles, who ran a Lexington, Ky., crop-dusting operation. An avid model builder, Keller started building composite aircraft after he moved to Alaska following military service in Vietnam. In 1973, Keller's Volkswagen-powered KR-1 took Best Auto-powered Homebuilt honors at the EAA Fly-in at Oshkosh. 


Five years later, his VariEze won the Best of Class as well as the Outstanding Workmanship Award. 


His building talents were not limited to aircraft; he also used the body of a 1976 Mazda Pickup to turn it into a Radio Flyer, which he used to drive around his hometown.


Fred was inducted into the Kentucky Aviation Hall of Fame in 2012. 

Charles “CHUCK” Mosgrave - Long-time Docent and AMK shop volunteer Charles "Chuck" E. Mosgrave, 95, passed away on Mar. 24, 2024.  Chuck conceived and started the construction of the AMK Navy Phoenix AIM-54 missile replica now displayed alongside the F-14 Tomcat. He worked on this and other projects for many years solo and completed the AIM-54 project with the assistance of Charles Rhoads and Butch Bowen. Chuck will be missed by many at AMK.

AMK Volunteer of the Quarter

Congratulations to Volunteer of the Quarter, KIETH BOYSON. Kieth has been an AMK volunteer Docent since September 2023 and has stepped up many times to fill open Docent shifts, a very important need in the museum's operations. As a long-time educator, pilot, and aviation enthusiast, AMK is fortunate that Kieth has chosen to spend his available volunteer time supporting AMK operations. 


Kieth is pictured with the museum Stinson because he has instructed in Stinson aircraft. THANK YOU, Kieth, for your extra support of Docent operations!

Volunteer opportunities:

HELP at AMK!


Please suggest a family member, friend, or neighbor who might be interested in a few hours a week at AMK. We have both AM and PM slots available Tuesday through Saturday and Sunday PM. Help at the Front Counter or host our guests in the museum. Contact Hunter Moore at [email protected] for information.

FORMER CREWMEMBER VISITS

RESTORED A-3 SKYWARRIOR COCKPIT


The AMK displayed military aircraft are an important part of aviation history. They are particularly meaningful to the crew members who served across the world in these aircraft.


Today we highlight a recent visitor to AMK as former Naval Aviator Daniel Shea of Jefferson, MD, spent time in the restored A-3 Skywarrior (BuNo.144832) cockpit. Daniel served as a Naval Navigator/Electronic Warfare Officer when our A-3 (cockpit displayed) served as an ERA-3B electronic warfare aircraft in 1973.  


Your generosity helps keep us going.

We value your support and believe that every contribution, regardless of size, makes a significant impact. Your generosity helps us continue our mission of preserving and showcasing the rich history and cultural heritage within our walls. Because of supporters like you, we can offer educational programs, captivating exhibitions, and engaging events for the community.  


Click here to take you to our secure donation page. From there, you can choose the amount you wish to donate and complete the process in just a few simple steps. Remember, every dollar counts and brings us closer to our goals. We are grateful for your consideration of supporting us. Your kindness and dedication to our cause mean the world to us. Together, we can continue to make a difference and inspire future generations.


READING THIS AND NOT AN AMK MEMBER

Click here to Join



Coming Next Month

Why is this uniform on Display at AMK?

Wade's uniform and other items are on display at the Museum


April 6th will be the 100th anniversary of the start of the US Army’s 1924 round-the-world flight. One of the participants was General Leigh Wade, whose uniform is on display at the museum. Next month, we will have a story submitted by Alexandria N. Woods, SSgt, USAF, giving you more background on this remarkable man.  

WE ARE NOW BACK TO OUR NORMAL HOURS 

Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Sunday - 1 pm to 5 pm

The last Admission will be accepted 30 minutes before closing.


New Admissions Pricing is in place starting April 1st.

Museum Members Free*

Adults (17-59 years) - $12.00

Seniors (60+ years) - $10.00

Children/Youth (6-16 years) - $8.00

Children (5 & Under) Free (With paid Admission)

U.S. Veterans - $10.00

Family of 4 (Same household) - $36

Scheduled Group Tours...….$8.00 (Please call ahead to arrange)

* For some special events, such as visiting aircraft, members may be asked to pay a reduced admission to help support the visiting organization.

Did you know that the Kentucky Dept of Aviation has a newsletter that features information about events and news from around Kentucky? It's free for you to subscribe. Click here to receive news and stay informed about general aviation in Kentucky.

One more thing: read this as another reason why we enjoy Blue Grass Airport so much.


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