Through our new affiliation program with The Wings Club, IAWA members receive certain benefits and access to various events. For more details, please consult the January/February newsletter or see the announcement in the IAWA member portal.

Click the logo to navigate to The Wings Club website.

The Wings Club was founded in New York City in 1942, specifically to:

• Maintain a non-profit aviation meeting place in New York City to promote the advancement and development of aeronautics.
• Provide a center for discussion of matters pertaining to aviation.
• Provide members services and facilities to aid them in their aeronautical activities.

Initially using The Yale Club in midtown Manhattan as its headquarters, The Wings Club soon became a rallying place where aviation-minded people could discuss the latest aircraft and flying techniques. It has now more than 1,000 members.

Throughout the years, virtually all aviation and aerospace leaders - U.S. and international - have been members or participated in programs at The Wings Club:

• Famous pilots who have visited the club have ranged from Eddie Rickenbacker and Roscoe Turner to Jeana Yeager and Dick Rutan.
• Astronauts from Buzz Aldrin to Frank Borman have been a part of The Wings Club tradition.
• Aeronautical inventors and innovators from Grover Loening and Vincent Bendix to Jerome Lederer and Dr. Wernher von Braun have made presentations at the club.
• Airlines executives have always been active in The Wings Club, beginning with Pan American World Airways founder Juan Trippe, C.R. Smith of American Airlines and Piedmont Airlines' Tom Davis to Frederick Smith of FedEx, Robert Crandall of American Airlines, Herb Kelleher of Southwest Airlines, and Continental's Gordon Bethune
• Military leaders have been involved in the club since its founding during World War II. Generals Tooey Spaatz, Curtiss LeMay, Dwight Eisenhower (who gave the Annual Dinner address in 1947) and Jimmie Doolittle (who won the first Distinguished Achievement Award from The Wings Club) have been some of the notable military men affiliated with the club.
• General aviation leaders, from William T. Piper, Jr., Olive Ann Beech and Dwane Wallace, also have been active.
• Government leaders, from New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, FAA Administrator Allan McArtor and U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elizabeth Dole to U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater, President George Bush and King Olav V of Norway have appeared at the club.
• International personalities, from Frank Whittle and Claire Chennault to Freddie Laker and Jean Pierson have graced The Wings Club with their presence.
• Aviation editors and publishers, including Gill Robb Wilson, Wayne Parrish and Richard Witkin, also have played a role in the club.
• Consultants and analysts, such as R. Dixon Speas, have made significant contributions to the club.