“I’m going to fly this thing, then I’m going to set it afire and never have another thing to do with aeroplanes!” —Clyde Cessna after an unsuccessful 1911 attempt at flight
Wichita aviation has been a backdrop for most of my life. I was not aware of this fact for many years, but the reality is, the airplane I first flew in, the one I soloed in, and the one I own now were either built or influenced by aviation from Wichita, Kansas. I am grateful that Mr. Cessna did not give up!
When I moved to Wichita in 1988, Wichita aviation came front and center of my daily life. As an air traffic control specialist at the then-Wichita Mid-Continent Airport Traffic Control Tower, I directed Wichita aviation day in and day out.
Retirement from air traffic did not diminish the role of Wichita aviation in my life. Although I spend all my time on the pilot side these days, aviation is still a major part of each week. This includes volunteering as an advocate for Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF). Although not locally based, MAF has close ties to Wichita aviation, since 70% of its fleet worldwide are Wichita-builtRecentl aircraft.
Wichita Aviation And PBS Kansas
However, I do have other roles in the community. Such as serving on the Community Advisory Board of PBS Kansas, our local public television station, KPTS channel 8. This group provides feedback on the programming the station airs.
Recently, my MAF and PBS Kansas worlds merged. PBS Kansas agreed to air the MAF 75-year documentary, Ends Of The Earth.
I am excited that this documentary will premiere on KPTS Channel 8, Monday, March 27 at 8 PM CST!
The program is an adapted, public television, version of the documentary. The film features three women pilots, one a Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP). She flew the first MAF mission to Mexico in 1946.
When And How To View
In honor of Women’s History Month, this documentary demonstrates the contribution women make in mission aviation. The Dates scheduled for airing are:
8-1 Monday 03/27/2023 8 PM CST – Television Premiere!
8-1 Wednesday 03/29/2023 1 PM CST
8-2 Wednesday 03/29/2023 7 PM CST
8-2 Thursday 03/30/2023 12 PM Noon
To ensure you are aware of this program, outlined below are multiple ways you can view this program:
PBS Kansas Over The Air (OTA) is free and available in 22 Kansas counties (see map). There are four OTA channels, ENDS OF THE EARTH will only air on 8.1 and 8.2 on the dates, at the times listed above.
Don’t use an antenna or don’t live in one of the 22 counties? No problem! Here are other ways to watch:
- Kpts.org Streaming – View THE ENDS OF THE EARTH live in the coverage area and the times listed for channel 8.1 on your computer at www.kpts.org.
- Watch.KPTS.org – FREE – View THE ENDS OF THE EARTH once it is loaded to the website after the Premier broadcast on Monday 3/27/2023
- Cable and Satellite – Locate PBS Kansas outlets for channels 8.1 and 8.2 on the chart then view on the dates and times as noted above.
- YouTubeTV – Paid – View THE ENDS OF THE EARTH channel 8.1 live on the days and times listed above
- PBS Kansas Passport – Paid – This is an annual subscription of $75 one-time payment (or $6.25 per month) and you can stream THE ENDS OF THE EARTH, plus thousands of hours of your favorite PBS shows anywhere anytime. Learn more here.
- PBS App – Free viewing of THE ENDS OF THE EARTH will also be available via the PBS App after the Premier broadcast. The app is available on your phone, Roku, Amazon Firestick, Apple TV, or other smart TV/Device. “
Save The Date!
Once you view this documentary, you too will see how far Wichita Aviation goes! I suspect even Clyde Cessna would stand amazed. Yes, I am grateful he did not give up.