AI 2023 Dallas/Fort Worth Recap
2023 – Fort Worth, Texas, Hyatt Regency Hotel. The Convention returned to the Metroplex for the first time since 2008. The convention was a success and the number of international guests and vendors was back to pre-pandemic levels. It was good to see so many new faces and young aviation enthusiasts! The seminars were a big draw this year, with the most popular being YouTube vlogger Noel Philips, Trisha Ferguson, CEO of The Interaction Group-one of the world’s largest producers of safety cards, and a special Braniff history presentation and fashion show. Thursday night’s Welcome Reception was held in Grapevine. Tours sold out quickly! Saturday evening’s banquet speaker was Bonnie Tiburzi Caputo, the first female pilot hired by a major US airline (American Airlines) in 1973. Bonnie shared stories of her career from her beginnings at Pompano Air Park (FL) until retiring as a 767 captain at New York’s JFK and took time to sign autographs and answer questions until well after midnight.
You can watch all of the above on the WAHS YouTube channel.
Marvin Goldman received the 2023 Paul Collins Award for his many contributions to the hobby and the World Airline Historical Society. Thank you, Marvin, for all you have done for the Society and the airline hobby.
Banquet Trivia Contest
1st Place – Michael Adkins
2nd Place – Phil Brooks
3rd Place – Michael Rairden
Banquet Name the Plane Contest
1st Place – Charles Kennedy
2nd Place – Michael Adkins
3rd Place – Phil Brooks
Airliners International 2023 Model Contest Results
This year eight modelers entered a total of 25 models! Andrew Stiffler entered the most models in the contest with nine entries. Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all who entered.
Large Prop and Jet
1. Delta Connection Embraer 175 – Erick Swanberg
2. Braniff Flying Colors 727-200 – Andrew Stiffler
3. British Airways Britten-Norman Islander – Andrew Stiffler
Small Prop
1. American Eagle Metro III – Ken Miller
2. Rio Airways Metro II – Ken Miller
Medium Jet
1. Aviacsa Bae 146 – Jaime Morales
2. Transamerica DC10 – Andrew Stiffler
3. Aerolineas Argentinas – 727-200 Andrew Stiffler
Small Jet
1. United 747-400 – Andrew Stiffler
Diorama
1. American Airlines L-188 Electra – Erick Swanberg
2. American Eagle CRJ-700 – Erick Swanberg
Conversion
1. Area Ecuatoriana Comet 4C – Bob Venditti
2. Braniff Ultra Cowboy One 727-200 – Mark Shem
Vacuform
1. United Express Embraer 120 – Andrew Stiffler
2. Aerocaribe Jetstream 32 – Jaime Morales
3. JSX Embraer 145 – Erick Swanberg
Flights of Fancy
1. American Airlines SST – Bill Parker
2. Southwest Pride One – Bill Parker
3. Southwest Texas One 737-400 – Erick Swanberg
Youth
1. Iceland Air 737 Max 8 – Dylan Prakash
Most Popular
American L-188 Diorama – Erick Swanberg
Tom Stephany Memorial Best Texas Airliner
Braniff Flying Colors 727-200 – Andrew Stiffler
Clint Groves Memorial Judges Best of Show
Area Ecuatoriana Comet 4C – Bob Venditti
Enjoy the photos. Thanks for the memories and we’ll see you June 26-29, 204 in Kansas City, MO!
Rev 08/20/2023
