The 2024 King Air Gathering (KAG), held May 15 – 18, was unforgettable, bringing together King Air owners, operators, pilots, mechanics and enthusiasts from around the globe. Hosted by King Air Nation and co-host BLR Aerospace at the historic Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, this year’s Gathering was a success and possibly the most memorable KAG to date.
The Greenbrier and its rich history made for a picturesque setting for this year’s event. Attendees listened to presentations by industry leaders, watched live demos and interacted with exhibitors, all specifically focused on the King Air community. Adding an extra day to this year’s agenda allowed for the return of Airport Day, enabling attendees to exchange ideas and share experiences about their King Air.
Thursday night was a fan-favorite as attendees gathered at Kate’s Mountain Lodge for an evening of cocktails and dinner sponsored by Blackhawk Aerospace. The venue, with its stunning views of the Allegheny Mountains, created a captivating atmosphere further enhanced by the warmth and hospitality extended to all attendees.
During Thursday’s dinner, the inaugural King Air Awards were presented. Earlier in the day, attendees visited the airport where they voted for their favorite aircraft in several categories, including Best Overall 90, Best Overall 200, Best Overall 300, Best Exterior, Furthest Flown and Dirty Bird (the dirtiest aircraft). The awards added an element of excitement and friendly competition, celebrating the dedication and pride that King Air owners, operators and pilots have for their aircraft, and believe it or not, the competition is already heating up for next year’s event!
Hasard Lee, U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and author of “The Art of Clear Thinking,” was welcomed onstage Friday as keynote speaker. Lee took his audience on a journey through his life stories, revealing powerful decision-making principles, all of which left the audience inspired and better equipped to handle high stress in aviation and life.
Textron Aviation’s Diamond sponsorship brought engaging companion activities, such as wine tasting and charcuterie building, a walking tour of the Greenbrier grounds, planting with succulents and more! These events provided a wonderful opportunity for attendee companions to relax, enjoy the beautiful scenery and delight in great conversations.
Another show highlight was the live auction Friday evening. There, Bill Alberts (of Bill Alberts Consulting) acted as auctioneer and kept the audience entertained as he led the auction to new heights. Auction items were graciously donated by KAG sponsors and highlights included Whisper Props and Winglets with LEDS from BLR, Crown Wing Lockers by Raisbeck, two separate LED Caution/Warn/Advisory panels and Gear Status Lights from Luma Technologies and more! A portion of the proceeds go to scholarships for King Air mechanics and pilots to ensure growth and a strong future in our beloved King Air models, as the organization as a whole moves toward a safety foundation and association. More details in the upcoming months on the safety foundation and association with member benefits.
On Saturday afternoon, attendees enjoyed vendor-sponsored Greenbrier experiences, which included Bourbon and Birdies with BLR Aerospace, Bourbon and Shotguns with Winner Aviation, Fly Fishing with BLR Aerospace, and Croquet and Cocktails by Textron Aviation for attendee companions.
This event would not be possible without the support of event attendees and our generous sponsors, especially our 2024 co-host, BLR Aerospace!
Mark your calendars for March 19-22, 2025, for next year’s Gathering, which will take place in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. Whether you are a longtime attendee or interested in joining us for the first time, next year’s Gathering promises to be nothing short of spectacular, filled with learning, networking and enjoyment. We look forward to welcoming you to Phoenix for what is sure to be another memorable Gathering!