Colorado Aviation Historical Society

13th annual International Aviation Archeology and Wreckchasing Symposium
2026-09-26 08:00 - 17:00 UTC | Richard C. Holbrooke Conference Center, 10823 Chidlaw Road, Dayton, OH, 45433, United States
13th annual International Aviation Archeology and Wreckchasing Symposium

Saturday, September 26, 2026

Plus additional events on Thursday and Friday. Details below.

at the Richard C. Holbrooke Conference Center

10823 Chidlaw Road, Dayton, OH 45433

The 13th Annual International Aviation Archeology and Wreckchasing Symposium is the most anticipated and well-attended of its kind in the Western Hemisphere, attracting both professional and avocational archaeologists, aviation and aerospace historians, writers, wreck-chasers, and adventurers. Highlights Include:

Historic information gathering

Technological insight from featured speakers

Practical applications

Networking
Featured speakers will include prominent members of the US aviation archaeology and wreckchasing community, as well as practitioners from abroad, sharing expedition experiences. A diverse line-up of topics has been planned for this event, encompassing both terrestrial and maritime endeavors. Speaker lineup will be announced soon.

Symposium - 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

This events feature 9 speakers from the aviation archaeology and wreckchasing community between 8-5pm with a 30 min lunch break. Morning refreshments and a sandwich buffet will be provided, courtesy of the Colorado Aviation Historical Society. Registration cost - $65

Buffet dinner - 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Following the symposium, we are offering an exclusive social gathering, with a buffet dinner and a renowned keynote speaker, at the same location as the symposium. Registration cost - $65

Bundle early and save!
Register prior to June 1, 2026 for both the Symposium and the dinner for only $110.
Please note that day of event registration (9/26) will be accepted with credit card payment only, at the full-price of $65.00 USD for each event.
REGISTER TODAY! »

Full Schedule of Events

In advance of the symposium, attendees who arrive early are invited to join other like-minded individuals for a specially coordinated tour of local museums and exhibits – historically relevant sites that surely won’t disappoint.
Click on the dates below to view what we have planned for each day.

Thursday

2026-09-24

Friday

2026-09-25

Saturday

2026-09-26

Sunday

2026-09-27

Thursday

2026-09-24

Museum Crawl

Join us on a Museum Crawl of the Wright Brothers Historic Trail sites including: Aviation Trail Parachute Museum, Carillon Park, Huffman Prairie, the Wright Cycle Company, and the Wright Brothers Memorial.
(Note: Some of these sites require a nominal admission fee but are well worth it!)
Learn More

Friday

2026-09-25

Tour of the National Museum of the United States Air Force

Admission is free. Join one of the guided tours or self-tour this facility at your leisure. Learn More

Saturday

2026-09-26

08:00
- 17:00

Symposium

There will be nine (9) featured speakers, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., with a thirty (30) minute lunch break. Registration is $65.00, which includes printed material, morning and afternoon refreshments, as well as a sandwich buffet at noon, sponsored by the Colorado Aviation Historical Society (CAHS). Register Today!

17:30
- 21:00

Post Symposium Dinner

In addition to the symposium, a special dinner for symposium attendees will be held at the Hope Hotel and Richard C. Holbrooke Conference Center. An exclusive cash bar, offering sometime to relax and socialize, will open at 5:30 p.m. in the foyer. Seating for the dinner will begin at 6 p.m. A special keynote speaker will begin at 6:45 p.m. The evenings events are scheduled to end no later than 9 p.m. Registration – $65 Register Today!

Sunday

2026-09-27

Tour of the National Museum of the United States Air Force

Admission is free. Join one of the guided tours or self-tour this facility at your leisure. Learn More

Museum Crawl

Join us on a Museum Crawl of the Wright Brothers Historic Trail sites including: Aviation Trail Parachute Museum, Carillon Park, Huffman Prairie, the Wright Cycle Company, and the Wright Brothers Memorial.
(Note: Some of these sites require a nominal admission fee but are well worth it!)
Learn More

Tour of the National Museum of the United States Air Force

Admission is free. Join one of the guided tours or self-tour this facility at your leisure. Learn More

08:00
- 17:00

Symposium

There will be nine (9) featured speakers, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., with a thirty (30) minute lunch break. Registration is $65.00, which includes printed material, morning and afternoon refreshments, as well as a sandwich buffet at noon, sponsored by the Colorado Aviation Historical Society (CAHS). Register Today!

17:30
- 21:00

Post Symposium Dinner

In addition to the symposium, a special dinner for symposium attendees will be held at the Hope Hotel and Richard C. Holbrooke Conference Center. An exclusive cash bar, offering sometime to relax and socialize, will open at 5:30 p.m. in the foyer. Seating for the dinner will begin at 6 p.m. A special keynote speaker will begin at 6:45 p.m. The evenings events are scheduled to end no later than 9 p.m. Registration – $65 Register Today!

Tour of the National Museum of the United States Air Force

Admission is free. Join one of the guided tours or self-tour this facility at your leisure. Learn More

Select date to see events.

Event Sponsors

Tour the National Museum of the United States Air Force
2026-09-27 | The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, 1100 Spaatz St, Dayton, Ohio, 45433
Join us on a visit to the National Museum of the United States Air Force (NMUSAF). Admission is free. You can either join one of the guided tours or self-tour this facility at your leisure.
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, is the world’s largest military aviation museum. With free admission and parking, the museum features more than 350 aerospace vehicles and missiles and thousands of artifacts amid more than 19 acres of indoor exhibit space.

Let us know you will be joining.

Name *Email AddressPhone *Number of GuestsWhat day will you be attending?Friday, September 25Sunday, September 27Submit

Annual Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame Banquet
2026-10-17 11:00 - 14:00 | Lakewood Country Club, 6800 W 10th Ave, Lakewood, CO, 80214
Our Annual Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame Banquet will be held at the Lakewood Country Club from 11AM to 2PM with a Meet-and-Greet from 11:00AM – 11:30AM.
Each year, the Colorado Aviation Historical Society Hall of Fame Inductions honor remarkable individuals whose vision, service, innovation, and dedication have made a lasting impact on aviation in Colorado. From pilots and mechanics to educators, military leaders, entrepreneurs, and aviation advocates, these inductees represent the rich legacy and pioneering spirit of Colorado aviation.
The Hall of Fame celebration is one of the most meaningful traditions of the annual banquet, offering an opportunity to preserve history, recognize achievement, and share the inspiring stories of those who helped shape aviation in our state. Through these inductions, CAHS continues its mission of honoring the people, milestones, and contributions that keep Colorado’s aviation heritage alive for future generations.
The event will take place from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and will begin with a Meet & Greet from 11:00 to 11:30 AM, giving guests time to connect, network, and celebrate together before the induction program begins.
