On May 15, 1942, The Wings Club was formed in New York City when a group of America’s aviation leaders came together for a common purpose, to find a suitable non-profit meeting place to gather at and promote the advancement and development of aeronautics. The Club was specifically founded to provide a center for discussion of matters pertaining to aviation and to provide members services and facilities to aid them in aeronautical activities.
The Wing Club’s first President was Caleb S. Bragg, and prominent civil and military aviation leaders, including Eddie Rickenbacker and Juan Trippe, were named as its first board of directors.
The Yale Club in Manhattan was initially used as the Wing Club’s headquarters, and shortly after, the Club became a rallying place where aviation-minded individuals could discuss the latest aircraft and flying techniques.
As its membership grew to some 1,000 within its first two years and with the success of the first luncheon to take place with an address given by Gill Robb Wilson, a leading aviation publisher and President of the National Aeronautic Association, the Club established monthly luncheon presentations.
Throughout the years, nearly all aviation and aerospace leaders, from both the United States and internationally, have been members or participated in programs at the Wings Club- ranging from Roscoe Turner to Jeana Yeager and Dick Rutan; Astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Frank Borman; inventors and innovators from Grover Loaning and Vincent Bender to Dr. Wernher von Braun. Airline executives have been active in the Wings Club, beginning with Pan American World Airways founder Juan Triple, C.R. Smith of American Airlines, and more. Military leaders involved since its finding include Generals Dwight Eisenhower (who gave the Annual Dinner address in 1947), Curtiss LeMay, and James Doolittle (who won the first Distinguished Achievement Award from the Wings Club). General Aviation leaders from William Piper to Olive Beech and government leaders from NYC Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, President George H.W. Bush, Senator Barry Goldwater, and King Olav V of Norway have appeared at the Club and many others.
Today, The Wings Club Foundation is a 501(c)-3 charitable, educational organization that continues its dedication to supporting the advancement and development of aviation. The mission of the Foundation is:
- To foster educational opportunities for students pursuing an education in aviation. The Foundation provides scholarships to college-level aviation students.
- To present programs to educate about aviation by hosting speakers on aviation issues and history at monthly Aviation Leader Series luncheons and webinars. Through its Aerospace on Campus student outreach program, the Foundation presents speaking events at universities for their students.
- To support and make grants to charitable organizations that use aircraft to provide medical supplies and personnel and other humanitarian aid and relief services.
The Wings Club Foundation Presents: Steven Udvar Hazy
On February 29, The Wings Club Aviation Leader Series Luncheon (Sight Lecture Series Luncheon) guest speaker was the distinguished Steven Udvar-Hazy, Executive Chairman of the Board, Air Lease Corporation.
Mr. Udvar-Hazy has more than 55 years of aviation industry experience. In 1973, he co-founded the aircraft leasing business that became International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC). In 2010, Mr. Udvar-Hazy launched Air Lease Corporation, a company principally engaged in purchasing new commercial aircraft from Airbus and Boeing under large-scale purchase contracts and leasing them to airline customers worldwide.
During Mr. Udvar-Hazy’s address to a filled audience at the Yale Club, he offered an in-depth and informative outlook for 2024, discussing key topics that included Recovering Airline Growth, Favorable Macroeconomic Backdrop, Continued Strong Passenger Traffic Expansion, Aircraft Supply & Demand, OEM Production Challenges, and the continuing climb of Aircraft Values & Lease Rates.
