{{Infobox website | name = Wings Over Kansas.com | favicon = | logo = Wings Over Kansas Logo.gif | screenshot = Wings Over Kansas Main Page 200x177 20091205.png | screenshot_size = 200px | caption = Screenshot of WOK as of December 2009 | url = http://www.wingsoverkansas.com | commercial = Yes | type = Aviation Education | registration = None | owner = Chance Communications, Inc. | author = Carl Chance and Bill Bolte | launch_date = July 1998 | current_status = Active | revenue = Advertising }}
'''Wings Over Kansas.com''' is an aviation website founded in 1998 by Carl Chance (and owned by [http://www.wingsoverkansas.com/legal/ Chance Communications, Inc.]) to provide information and entertainment to aviation enthusiasts and professionals worldwide<ref name=WOK_About>{{cite web |title = About Wings Over Kansas |url = http://www.wingsoverkansas.com/about/ |work = Wings Over Kansas |publisher = Chance Communications, Inc |location = Wichita, Kansas |accessdate=November 5, 2009}}</ref><ref name="high_touch_2012_02_10_bizjournals_com">McCoy, Daniel: [https://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/news/2012/02/10/high-touch-to-host-wings-over-kansas.html "High Touch to host Wings Over Kansas website,"], February 10, 2012, ''Wichita Business Journal,'' retrieved January 24, 2023</ref><ref name="kam_elects_chance_2010_08_01_prweb">[https://web.archive.org/web/20100803063141/http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/08/prweb4334334.htm "Kansas Aviation Museum Unanimously Elects Former Trustee and Wings Over Kansas Website Owner Carl Chance, To Its Board of Directors,"] press release, August 1, 2010, Kansas Aviation Museum, retrieved from PRweb.com January 24, 2023</ref> -- particularly highlighting the aviation industry, activity and history of Kansas.<ref name="kam_elects_chance_2010_08_01_prweb" /><ref name="high_touch_2012_02_10_bizjournals_com" /><ref name="made_in_kansas_2017_siteselection_com">Reddy, Frank: [https://siteselection.com/cc/kansas/2017/aviation-the-skys-the-limit-for-kansas-aviation-industry.cfm "It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's Made in Kansas: The sky’s the limit for Kansas’ aviation industry.,"] 2017, ''Site Selection,'' retrieved January 24, 2023</ref><ref name="links_2016_wichitaaviation100_org">[https://wichitaaviation100.org/ "Links,"] 2016, official website, Wichita Aviation Centennial, retrieved January 24, 2023</ref>
The web site is based in Wichita, Kansas, known as the "Air Capital of the World" due to the many aircraft manufacturers located there since 1916, and the many aircraft produced (over a quarter-million) by the city's factories.<ref name=WOK_About/><ref name="centennial_2016_wichitaaviation100_org">[https://wichitaaviation100.org/ "Wichita Aviation Centennial,"] 2016, official website, retrieved January 24, 2023</ref>
In 2003, the site was upgraded to a data-based web site to better serve the needs of its members. "Wings Over Kansas" has grown steadily and as of 2009 draws over a quarter of a million visitors yearly from over 125 countries and all 50 states of the U.S.<ref name=WOK_About /><ref name="high_touch_2012_02_10_bizjournals_com" /><ref name="kam_elects_chance_2010_08_01_prweb" />
==History== Wings Over Kansas.com was created in 1998 by Wichita native Carl Chance, a broadcast professional and producer for the Wingspan Air & Space Channel,<ref name=WOK_About/><ref name="kam_elects_chance_2010_08_01_prweb" /> and former vice president of KPTS-TV.<ref name="uprising_1996_08_19_current_org">[https://current.org/1996/08/wichita-staff-uprising-forces-v-p-resignation/ "Wichita staff uprising forces v.p. resignation,"] August 19, 1996, ''Current,'' retrieved January 24, 2023</ref> In his more than thirty years of experience, Chance developed many relationships in the aviation community that have directly benefited the web site.<ref name=WOK_About/> He is a charter member and past trustee on the Kansas Aviation Museum board of directors<ref name="kam_elects_chance_2010_08_01_prweb" /> and a former member of the Kansas Aviation Council.<ref name=WOK_About/>
From 1998 to 2003, the site underwent a number of modifications to improve its value and navigation.<ref name=WOK_About/>
In 2002, Chance developed an affiliated website, ''Wings Over the World,'' with a correspondingly broader focus<ref name="wingsovertheworld_com_icann_lookup">[https://lookup.icann.org/en/lookup "Wingsovertheworld.com,"] "ICANN WhoIs Lookup," ICANN Retrieved January 24, 2023</ref> It gained local notoriety when, in 2016, Chance discovered that the site's visitors were predominantly Russian.<ref name="russian_attention__kansas_com">Rengers, Carrie: [https://www.kansas.com/news/business/biz-columns-blogs/carrie-rengers/article123874989.html "Wichitan’s Wings Over the World gets some Russian attention,"] December 30, 2016, ''Wichita Eagle'' retrieved January 24, 2023</ref>
===2003 Redesign=== In January 2003, the site was redesigned by professional web developer, Bill Bolte.<ref name=WOK_About/> The new design included a data-based implementation to better serve the needs of the members including aviation professionals, educators, historians, and enthusiasts.<ref name=WOK_About/>
===2012-2013 Changes=== In 2012, High Touch Technologies, in Wichita, became the site host.<ref name="high_touch_2012_02_10_bizjournals_com" /> To expand the range of content, and for greater flexibility in features and images, the site was converted from its ASP format to a WordPress design in 2013.
==Content== Wings Over Kansas provides information on the entire aviation industry, but special emphasis is placed on Kansas aviation, particularly Wichita aircraft and their manufacturers, including Boeing, Hawker Beechcraft, Spirit AeroSystems, Cessna, Learjet, and Airbus.<ref name="links_2016_wichitaaviation100_org" /><ref name="kam_elects_chance_2010_08_01_prweb" /><ref name=SW_Aviator>{{cite web |title = Kansas Aviation Subject of Television Special |url = http://www.swaviator.com/html/issuesAS00/newsAS00.html |work = Southwest Aviator Online |publisher = Southwest Regional Publishing, Inc|date=Aug–Sep 2000 |location = Albuquerque, New Mexico |accessdate=November 20, 2009}}</ref> The Wings Over Kansas web site has over 1,200 pages of content.<ref name="high_touch_2012_02_10_bizjournals_com" /><ref name="kam_elects_chance_2010_08_01_prweb" /> It includes the following features:<ref name="high_touch_2012_02_10_bizjournals_com" /><ref name="kam_elects_chance_2010_08_01_prweb" /><ref name=WOK_Home>{{cite web |title = Wings Over Kansas |url = http://www.wingsoverkansas.com/ |publisher = Chance Communications, Inc |location = Wichita, Kansas |accessdate=November 20, 2009}}</ref> * Aerospace news headlines * Articles on aviation history and pioneering aviators * Information on continuing education in the aviation field * Photo galleries and video covering military and general aviation * Employment information related to Kansas aviation companies * Quizzes and trivia related to aviation * Resources to help individuals learn to fly * Links to related aviation web sites
To encourage children in grades 3–12 to learn about aviation, the web site provides Project Classroom—a set of standardized aviation education lesson plans offered free to teachers and students.<ref name=Teaching>{{cite web |last = |first = |title = Education Newswatch |url = http://www.teachingk-8.com/archives/education_newswatch/education_newswatch_january_2007.html |publisher = Teaching pre K–8 |location = |date=January 2007 |accessdate=December 5, 2009}}</ref> Wings Over Kansas also maintains a presence on Facebook.<ref name=WOK_FB>{{cite web |title = Wings Over Kansas on Facebook |url = http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=146341389068 |publisher = Facebook, Inc |location = Palo Alto, California |accessdate=November 20, 2009}}</ref>
== Contributing editors== Wings Over Kansas receives support from a diverse group of contributing editors including:<ref name=WOK_Home/><ref name="high_touch_2012_02_10_bizjournals_com" /> * Walter J. Boyne—aviation author and historian; former director of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum<ref name=NASM_1983>{{cite web |title = NASM 1983 Chronology |url = http://www.nasm.si.edu/museum/history/nasm25th/chronology/1983.htm |publisher = Smithsonian Institution |location = Washington, D.C. |accessdate = November 20, 2009 |archive-date = June 6, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110606132352/http://www.nasm.si.edu/museum/history/nasm25th/chronology/1983.htm |url-status = dead }}</ref> * Lionel Alford, Jr.—aerospace engineer, test pilot,<ref name="conversation_2014_08_08_kansas_com">[https://www.kansas.com/news/business/business-q-a/article1123410.html "A conversation with Lionel Alford,"] August 8, 2014, ''Wichita Eagle'' retrieved January 25, 2023</ref> aviation writer/author and historian<ref name=ALford>{{cite web |title = Alford Long Resume |url = http://www.lionelalford.com/long_resume.htm |publisher = Lionel Alford, Jr. |date= |location = Wichita, Kanasa |accessdate=December 13, 2009}}</ref> * Edward H. Phillips—aviation author and historian; former southwest bureau chief for ''Aviation Week & Space Technology'' magazine<ref name=WOK_EHPhiliips>{{cite web |title = Aviation Pioneers: Edward H. Philips |url = http://www.wingsoverkansas.com/profiles/article.asp?id=127 |work = Wings Over Kansas |publisher = Chance Communications, Inc |location = Wichita, Kansas |accessdate=November 5, 2009}}</ref> * Frank Joseph Rowe—aircraft designer and senior design engineer<ref name=Amazon_FJRowe>{{cite book |title = About the Author: Frank Joseph Rowe |location = Seattle, Washington |isbn = 0786422890 |last1 = Rowe |first1 = Frank Joseph |year = 2006 }}</ref> * Gen. Paul Tibbets, USAF (ret'd), former commander, ''Enola Gay'' (the bomber that dropped the first atomic bomb over Hiroshima), and later senior USAF officer at McConnell Air Force Base overseeing development of major military aircraft at neighboring Boeing-Wichita. * Bonnie Johnson—former director of the Aerodynamic Laboratories at Wichita State University<ref name=WSU_Newsletter>{{cite web |title =Engineering dean to receive national honor |url = http://www.wichita.edu/newsletter/index.asp?action=article&articleid=373 |publisher = Wichita State University |location = Wichita, Kansas |accessdate=November 22, 2009}}</ref> * Maj. George M. Boyd, USAF (ret'd), —former Tuskegee Airman, Civil Air Patrol's Kansas Wing commander,<ref name="boyd_obit_2018_06_22_cjoline_com">Foster, Samantha: [https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/state/2018/06/22/former-tuskegee-airman-dies-at-age-91-in-wichita/11905682007/ "Former Tuskegee Airman dies at age 91 in Wichita,"] June 22, 2018, ''Topeka Capital-Journal,'' retrieved January 24, 2023</ref><ref name="tuskeegee_to_cap_2020_02_21_cap_news">[https://www.cap.news/from-tuskegee-airman-to-cap-wing-commander-col-george-boyd/ "From Tuskegee Airman to CAP Wing Commander: Col. George Boyd,"] February 21, 2020, ''CAP News,'' Civil Air Patrol, retrieved January 24, 2023</ref> and Kansas Aviation Director<ref name="tuskeegee_to_cap_2020_02_21_cap_news" /><ref name=KAKE_Boyd>{{cite web |last = Hatteberg |first = Larry |title = George Boyd |url = http://www.kake.com/news/features/4/176192.html |work = KAKE10.com |publisher = Gray Television, Inc |location = Albany, Georgia |date=December 15, 2002 |accessdate=November 22, 2009}}</ref> * Daryl Murphy—aviation author/historian<ref name=PiperFlyer>{{cite web |last = Murphy |first = Daryl |title = Where the West Begins: Fort Worth, Texas |url = http://www.piperflyer.org/PFA%20808%20ebook.pdf |work = Piper Flyer |pages=24–32 |date=August 2008 |publisher = Piper Flyer Association |location = Waupaca, Wisconsin |accessdate=December 5, 2009}}</ref> * Richard Harris—aviation author/historian<ref name=KSN_Harris>{{cite web |last = |first = |title = New movie puts iconic Kansan back in spotlight |url = http://www.ksn.com/content/news/extra/story/New-movie-puts-iconic-Kansan-back-in-spotlight/Ph3qNmchwEaLMEQQcePDAw.cspx |work = KSN.com |publisher = New Vision Television |location = Los Angeles, California |date=October 20, 2009 |accessdate=December 5, 2009}}</ref> and former Chairman of the Kansas Aviation Centennial and Wichita Aviation Centennial<ref name="about_wac_2016_wichitaaviation100_org">[https://wichitaaviation100.org/about.htm "About WAC,"] 2016, Wichita Aviation Centennial, retrieved January 24, 2023</ref>
==Recognition== In 2001, Wings Over Kansas was rated as one of the 500 best aviation-related web sites.<ref name="high_touch_2012_02_10_bizjournals_com" /><ref name=AID>{{cite book |last=Merry | first=John A. | authorlink= |title=Aviation Internet Directory: A Guide to the 500 Best Web Sites |page = [https://archive.org/details/aviationinternet00john/page/217 217] | publisher= McGraw-Hill Professional | year=2001 | isbn=9780071372169 |url=https://archive.org/details/aviationinternet00john |url-access=registration |accessdate=November 20, 2009}}</ref> It was also the recipient of two Golden Web and a Best of Kansas on the Web awards for outstanding presentation and content.<ref name=Student_Pilot>{{cite web |title = Wings Over Kansas |url = http://www.studentpilot.com/articles/news_releases/article.php?news_id=23 |work = Student Pilot.com |publisher = PilotMall.com Inc |date=August 2, 2001 |location = Saint Petersburg, Florida |accessdate=November 20, 2009}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.wingsoverkansas.com Wings Over Kansas.org web site] *[https://www.facebook.com/WingsOverKansas/?ref=page_internal Wings Over Kansas Facebook page] *[http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/wingsoverkansas.com/ Alexa site information on Wings Over Kansas] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309015829/http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/wingsoverkansas.com |date=2016-03-09 }}
Category:Internet properties established in 1998 Category:Online databases Category:Aviation websites Category:Companies based in Wichita, Kansas