On July 9th, 2024, AIAA Atlanta hosted another spectacular picnic at the AHTC (link: Aviation History and Technology Center (ahtc360.org) )! Chair Cameron Coates and the Council welcomed nearly 50 professional members, student members, students and faculty to enjoy BBQ pork & chicken, veggie burgers, corn on the cob, macaroni & cheese, accompanied by various beverages and frozen treats! The all-volunteer staff of AHTC, led by Bob Higgins, presented some history of the AHTC, going back to initial efforts by Bob Ormsby, past-President of Lockheed- Georgia Company, and how they came to acquire some of the aircraft. Of interest is that the Navy aircraft displayed at AHTC are on loan from the Naval Aviation Musem in Pensacola. Navy aircraft are on display here because of the Naval Air Station Atlanta that once shared the runway with Dobbins AFB and Lockheed Martin, but was closed and removed around 2009. Bob and staff then led tours of the C-141, it being the only aircraft that visitors may enter, including sitting in the cockpit! The photos below show scenes from the picnic and some aircraft.
Let’s Eat!!
About 25 students from Kennesaw State University attended the picnic, a large number representing the Kennesaw Motorsports, Formula SAE Competition Team (link: Kennesaw Motorsports (ksumotorsports.com) ). These students have learned that the influence of aerodynamics is just as important to design of Formula 1 style race cars as it is to aircraft! AIAA student leaders at KSU include Sebastian Gomez and student branch President Ken Kubiak.
Professional Members in attendance represented KSU, Lockheed Martin, GTRI, Delta Air Lines, Exponent and others.
Bob Higgins Tells History
Lockheed Transport Aircraft
Navy Aircraft And Others