A recent ceremony in Wichita celebrated progress on the new Mid-Continent Airport terminal, which will finally give travelers a first impression that lives up to the name: Air Capital of the World. No other place on the planet has been so important to the history and development of business aviation.

The new terminal – about 25 percent complete and due to open in 2015 – aims to impress visitors with fresh aviation-inspired design. The roof evokes a wing and seems poised to take flight. Installations tell the story of Wichita’s incomparable aviation history in photos, illustrations and concise, colorful stories. A centerpiece light sculpture floats above ticketing counters, capturing the feeling of ascent and descent.

At the festivities, we placed the center beam, a symbol that the structure is here to stay. It follows a centuries-old Norse construction tradition, workers raise the center steel beam – bearing a flag, an evergreen tree and signatures of people who helped with the project – into position (pictured above). I was privileged to be among those who signed the steel girder before it rose to take its place aloft.

It’s destined to become a focal point for the pride Wichitans take in our aviation heritage. And a memorable reminder to visitors that they have, indeed, arrived at the Air Capital.

You might call it Baby BACE. Or NBAA Junior. But the NBAA Regional Forum – held last week in White Plains, NY – offers advantages that set it apart from the big show next October.

More than 2,000 attended, a number that’s been growing every year. The consensus: not only is it worthwhile, it’s fast becoming a don’t-miss event.

Here are a few of the things that make the regional forum so valuable.

• It’s a more relaxed venue for focusing on industry developments and safety issues. In White Plains, for example, the NBAA announced a new initiative: FileSmart. This program urges operators to always file early, accurate flight plans, and explains how and why that helps controllers handle individual flights more efficiently with fewer delays.

• It provides a great networking opportunity for staff members who may not be able to attend BACE in the fall.

• You have more time for quality, in-depth networking – and perhaps even some unpressured deal brokering. There are fewer announcements and other distractions, for one thing.

• It’s easier on your feet, since it takes place in one hangar rather than multiple cavernous convention halls.

• Social media comes in especially handy. If you see a tweet that piques your interest, you know you’re not far from the source.

We join the chorus thanking NBAA for supporting our industry with useful tools such as the Regional Forum.

For anyone without access to privation aviation, it just got easier to wing your way into Wichita. You might think the Air Capital of the World would have some of the best connections, well, in the world, but that hasn’t been the case. Our moniker refers to the primarily corporate aircraft we build, not the commercial aircraft we fly.

If you’ve flown commercially into Wichita to pick up a new jet, or do business with one of our many aviation suppliers, you know the challenge firsthand. Southwest Airlines changes that with its new service to Wichita.

Wichita’s first Southwest flight touched down Sunday, June 2. City dignitaries, business leaders and an eager public turned out en masse to celebrate and welcome the long-pursued carrier. Ron Ricks, Southwest Airlines executive vice president, said the Air Capital gave the airline its warmest welcome ever.

Homebound Aircraft

“I flew from Dallas Love Field in a 737,” said Ricks to the Wichita Aero Club. “It pointed its nose into the wind and flew like a homing pigeon returning to Kansas.” He added that major parts of the aircraft were made here in Wichita at Spirit AeroSystems.

Ricks delivered this playful, but frank message: “If you buy, we’ll fly. If you don’t, we won’t.” I get it. And think Wichita will, too. Southwest cultivates a let’s-have-a-laugh culture, but it didn’t become one of the world’s largest airlines – and the only current major U.S. carrier to avoid bankruptcy and bailouts – by being soft about business.

A Knack for What Works

We could all learn from Southwest. It’s grown steadily, achieving profitability for 40 consecutive years. Which is even more impressive when you consider that every other major carrier struggled through long stretches of those same decades. Southwest had one bad quarter in 2008 – and who didn’t? – but still managed to clear a profit that year. It carries bags for free while other carriers have tried to turn that into a profit center.

The company knows how to make money, yet still pay above-average salaries, hold to a no-layoff philosophy and consistently rank at the top of customer-service surveys.

Building Sufficient and Sustainable Traffic

Ricks’ straightforward talk about getting out of markets that don’t pay off is no idle warning. It’s how Southwest does business. “Cut up those (legacy frequent flyer) cards,” he urged the room full of business travelers whose pockets and purses no doubt contained at least one each.

We’re confident Wichita will give Southwest plenty of business. You can help us out. Next time your business brings you to the Air Capital, throw Southwest into your mix of travel options. It won’t be a hardship.

Lower Airfares, More Options

Where Wichita’s former low-fare carrier, Air Tran, had 180 possible connections; Southwest gives Wichita 550. Ricks’ closed with this thought, so I will, too: “Here’s to blue skies and cheap jet fuels and lots of future Wichita flights.”

* Pictured at the top of the story, Southwest Airlines EVP Ron Ricks says Wichita wowed the carrier so much with its passion and perseverance, it moved into the market. Photo courtesy of Ricardo Reitmeyer.