HISTORY OF THE LONE STAR AERO CLUB

The club that eventually became what is now called the Lone Star Aero Club for all practical history purposes evolved from a motley crew of dedicated aviation photographers in mid 1991. These aviation buffs gathered weekly on the northwest corner of what was NAS Dallas Air Base across the street from Vought Aircraft plant in Grand Prairie, Texas. Armed with Kodak, Canon and Nikon film cameras, they ambushed a notable variety of naval aircraft as they crossed the infamous "Railroad Tracks" at the corner of S. Bagdad Road and E. Jefferson Blvd. Comparing aircraft images led to quality slide shows at Jay Miller’s house. The immediate popularity of these slide shows forced a retreat to a larger gathering venue. Bodacious Barbeque on E. Division St. in Arlington welcomed this group of aviation mavericks to its sizable (100+) back room featuring Texas barbeque, cold beer, iced tea, and hospitality. With Jay Miller, aviation author, publisher, photographer, guiding the group, its membership rapidly expanded. Guest speaker history inclues famous test pilots, astronauts, design and test engineers, combat pilots, aviation authors and artists, and many of the “Who’s Who” in the aviation world. Check our website’s Meeting History section for a better appreciation of our history. The catalyst that further propelled this unique group into regional popularity was the impressive level of members’ aviation expertise and experience. At many meetings, the talent and knowledge base of the attendees could have designed, fabricated, assembled, and test flown a totally new aircraft.

It became apparent after a few years of continued growth that we didn’t have a formal name to call the group. From no specific origin, the title of "No-Name Aviation Group" became increasingly popular. Its connotation of humor matched what became a trademark of this entertaining informal gathering of aviation enthusiasts. For many reasons the monthly meetings moved between various area restaurants, aircraft facilities and timely invitation to area museums. October 1995 became a new chapter for our aviation group. The Executive Director of the National Aeronautic Association, Jack Cole, gave a presentation and extended an invitation for the club to affiliate with the NAA. Our group acceptance in February 1996 bestowed the formal name of the "The Aero Club of Texas" to the once, "No-Name Aviation Group." Our NAA affiliation only existed for about one year before general consensus was that our informal mission didn’t pursue national participation.

August 2000 unfolded three new chapters in the Aero Club’s stellar history. Number one was the major move of our meeting place from Bodacious Barbeque in Arlington to The American Airlines’ C. R. Smith Museum just south of DFW Airport (Fort Worth). The second event was our association with Danny D’s Barbeque (Hurst) and then following Pat Jones (Manager/Owner) to D Two Bar B Q in Pantego. And third, but not least, a club contest/vote led to the selection of Robert Chamber’s suggestion to rename the group to the “Lone Star Aero Club.”

September 2001 proved to be another of the club’s notable milestones. Jay Miller, founding father and tenacious sustainer of the Aero Cub, accepted a position as Director of Paul (Microsoft Guru) Allen’s Warbird Museum in Seattle, Washington. Determined to maintain the entertainment and history gathering legacy of the club, Ted Black volunteered to lead this unique aviation group into its second decade.

The key ingredient to the club’s continuation would be support for programs from the diverse membership. Our dedicated membership has responded with overwhelming support and the Lone Star Aero Club is continuing to enjoy and capture aviation history well into its second decade of camaraderie.