The Yellowbird Society: Honoring aviation history and inspiring the future
About the Yellowbird Society Northeast Airlines, a pioneering force in aviation, left an indelible mark on the history of air travel. Boasting its famous “Yellowbirds,” Northeast connected New England and Canada in the 1930s and later expanded its routes to destinations across the United States, Florida, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and Los Angeles. This legacy continues to be celebrated through the Yellowbird Society, an initiative introduced at the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire.
A Tribute to Northeast Airlines As of July 31, 2022, the Yellowbird Society was launched during a Northeast reunion event at the museum. This society pays homage to Northeast Airlines’ historical significance and its pivotal role in shaping aviation. The event was attended by numerous Northeast Airlines alumni, proudly wearing their iconic Yellowbird pins, as well as the Vice President of Community, who provided invaluable support for the society.
Students from Manchester School of Technology, participated in the first student built plane in our program, commemorated their induction into the Yellowbird Society during the 50th Anniversary celebration of Northeast Airlines.
Empowering the Next Generation The Yellowbird Society is dedicated to inspiring and assisting the next generation of aviation enthusiasts. Specifically, it offers New Hampshire’s youth, already involved in aviation, opportunities to:
- Hands-on Experiences: Students gain practical exposure to various aspects of aviation.
- Career Guidance: They receive mentorship and guidance for their aviation careers after high school.
- Networking: The society fosters connections with industry professionals and like-minded peers.
- Fundraising: Students actively participate in fundraising campaigns.
- Peer-to-Peer Outreach: They engage in outreach activities to encourage other New Hampshire youth interested in aviation.
Preserving History and Tradition As a token of recognition, each student is presented with a certificate acknowledging their commitment to the Yellowbird Society. Moreover, every student is awarded an original Yellowbird pin from Northeast Airlines. These pins, still in their original packaging, hold a rich history as they were once bestowed upon the airline’s crew members and individuals in an honorable manner, like the one gifted to Hubert Humphrey during his U.S. Presidency campaign in 1968. By wearing these pins, students not only honor aviation history but also carry a piece of that history with pride.
Former Flights of Discovery Summer Camp student, Rokhan Amrkhil, now a valued member of the Yellowbird Society, takes the stage as a prominent speaker at the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire’s annual fundraising gala.
Present Manchester School of Technology students, participants in the plane-build program, officially inducted into the Yellowbird Society, kickstart their networking journey at our annual gala event.
Young Flights of Discovery students receive a special invitation to join the Yellowbird Society, including some of our youngest members to date.
Monthly Meetings, Educational Events, and Getting Involved
At the Yellowbird Society, we provide an engaging platform for students to learn, grow, and connect in the field of aviation. Our regular monthly meetings are held on the last Wednesday of each month at 4 p.m. During these gatherings, students engage in meaningful discussions, learn from guest speakers, and network with industry professionals. In addition, we organize educational events once a month on a Saturday. These events offer unique opportunities for students to expand their knowledge and gain hands-on experience in aviation. Educational events can take the form of field trips to aviation-related sites, student-led fundraising campaigns, or engaging workshops that provide in-depth insights into various aspects of the aviation field.
Join Us
While the Yellowbird Society is an exclusive community for its members, we warmly welcome inspirational speakers and industry professionals who want to share their insights and experiences with our enthusiastic students. If you are interested in becoming a member as a student or participating as a guest speaker, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. For further information and inquiries, please contact us at dlosch@nhahs.org. We look forward to welcoming new members and fostering a vibrant community of aviation enthusiasts.
Upcoming Events and Meetings
Please take note of the following dates and times for our upcoming events and meetings:
- Monthly Meetings: Held on the last Wednesday of every month at 4 p.m., these meetings are a space for students to connect, learn, and network with like-minded aviation enthusiasts.
- Next Meeting: 29 November 2023 @ 4 p.m.
- Following meeting: 10 January 2024 @ 4 p.m. (Date changed due to holiday)
- Following meeting: 31 January 2024 @ 4 p.m.
- Educational Events: On one Saturday each month, we offer a range of educational experiences, from field trips to aviation-related sites, student-led fundraising campaigns, to engaging workshops that provide an in-depth look into various facets of the aviation field.
- Next Event: TBD
We kindly request that individuals who are not current members of the Yellowbird Society refrain from showing up unannounced at our meetings or events. To learn more about our group, how to become a student member, or how to potentially participate as a guest speaker, please feel free to contact us. Your journey in aviation begins here, and we’re excited to help you soar.
For more information about education programs at the Aviation Museum of N.H., contact Education Director Debbora Losch at (603) 669-4820 ext. 405, or by email at dlosch@nhahs.org.