Aviation Cultures Conference

This was fun. I'm looking forward to the second session, which begins at 2100 UK time.

So modest! In reality, Peter’s an exceptional font of wisdom - and the only ‘Emeritus’ we have in either session!

8 Hrs to Aviation Cultures Spotlight on Logbooks and AvDocs! Join us free, online on Zoom to join our distinguished international speakers, followed by the rare opportunity to ask questions of the experts.

Full details aviationcultures.org/spotlights/l...

How did the IBCC Digital Archive’s ethos of remembrance, recognition, and reconciliation as an approach to difficult heritage, lead to the way Bomber Command logbooks are described in the archive? Sign up, and I'll tell you... @avculturesconf.bsky.social @nmtdambusters.bsky.social #History #WW2

A sharp dressed man smiles at the camera, while holding a magnifying glass and looking at a document. It's Dr Peter Hobbins, who'll be presenting ‘Legal eagles: using legal sources to cross-examine aviation history.’

A 1940s bathing beauty sits in the lap of a pilot in this cartoon. Her ribbon reads 'Miss Anoxia'. Via Ester Aube, who will present on: ‘Aircraft Technical Documentation: Military Organizational Systems & Their Development During WWII.‘ Maybe the content won't be as dry as the title might suggest?

Reminder! Only 2 days to the free online Logbooks & AvDocs.

Did Guy Gibson 'fudge' his logbook? And one of our experts' 'smoking gun' document: "...reminding audiences that you can’t always trust the people you think you should be able to trust."

Join us! -JDK

aviationcultures.org/spotlights/l...

I'm looking forward to presenting in the first session of this online event, on RFC and RAF manuals and related literature. The session starts on Saturday at 0900 UCT (that's GMT in old money).

Two men grinning for the camera in front of a bookshelf. Text '8 November 2025 Online on Zoom Aviation Cultures Spotlight Logbooks & AvDocs'.

Engaged in aviation history research? We've got a VERY useful, FREE, online Spotlight this weekend. In-depth WWII British Commonwealth insight in Sess 1, many wider insights inc legal docs & getting your P-51 papers in Tech Order: Sess 2. Join us! -JDK.

Details: aviationcultures.org/spotlights/l...

a man in a military uniform is sitting in a classroom with other men and says `` it 's classified . '' Alt: I’ma just gonna leave the auto descriptor there: “a man in a military uniform is sitting in a classroom with other men and says `` it 's classified . ''

* And extra points if you can tell us about something YOU put in a logbook. (Or better still, left out!)

You can DM us in confidence, this account isn’t monitored by any retro aviation authorities (probably). -JDK

Poster for the Logbooks & AvDocs free online Spotlight event at Aviation Cultures on 8 November.

Logbook oddities? We’re interested. What’s the strangest, funniest or most unexpected thing that you’ve found* in an aviation logbook?

We’ll be talking ‘Logbooks & Avdocs’ in our next Spotlight event, free, online, in just over a month. Can you tease us with an odd fact first? -JDK

Poster images for the three mentioned events as a collage. all details are in the thread above.

5/5 The Call for Papers for the Conference is now open, and will remain open until 15 January 2026. Speakers will be notified by the end of January. Full details at the Aviation Cultures website here aviationcultures.org/aviation-cul... or email info@aviationcultures.org See you there! JDK. ENDS.

4/n But wait, there’s more … The next full Aviation Cultures Conference is, of course, Aviation Cultures Mk.VIII, to be held in conjunction with the Canadian Aviation Historical Society’s 2026 Convention between 17-20 June 2026, at the KF Centre for Excellence in Kelowna, Canada, and online. ...

3/n ‘Logbooks & AvDocs’ Spotlight
Papers are all confirmed for the ‘Logbooks & AvDocs’ Spotlight event on 8 November 2025. Stay tuned for details of what’s coming, including rare chances to interact online with experts in the field. Details at this link: aviationcultures.org/spotlights/l...

2/n Full details of this event (to be held online on 27-28 February 2026) at this link: aviationcultures.org/spotlights/p...

@avculturesconf.bsky.social Update! The Call for Papers for the ‘Print the Legend’ Spotlight is still open. (Closes 31 Oct). We’re looking for papers that interrogate the boundaries between truth and legend, and that contribute to a richer, nuanced understanding of aviation’s cultural legacy... 1/n

Going to be worth your time! @danellin.bsky.social shares great research.

Please email abstracts (200 words) to info@aviaitoncultures.org by 31 October 2025.

Include the subject line: “Print the Legend Abstract” and include your name, affiliation (if applicable), email address, title of paper, and a short biography (100 words).

Presentations 15mins long

6/6

Topics can include, but not limited to:
1. Crafting Narratives & the Art of Storytelling
2. From Myth to Reality
3. Biography & Navigating Bias & Subjectivity
4. Unmasking the Legends
5. Influence of Media in shaping Aviation History
6. Ethics in Aviation History
7. Evolving Legends & Norms

5/6

We welcome papers that interrogate the boundaries between truth and legend, and that contribute to a richer, more nuanced understanding of aviation’s cultural legacy.

4/6

From the art of storytelling and the influence of media to ethical challenges of biography writing and the evolution of legendary figures, this event will provide a platform for critical reflection and lively discussion.

3/6

The event will delve into how narratives are crafted, myths are perpetuated, and legends are born in the world of aviation. And offer a broad investigation into the stories that shape our understanding of all aspects of aviation – people, places & things.

aviationcultures.org/spotlights/p...

2/6

A man sitting in the cockput of an old aeroplane typing on a typewriter

🛩️Call for Papers for "Print the Legend"🛩️is now open
Held online 27–28 February 2026
CfP closes 31 October 2025.

Inspired by “When the legend becomes fact, print the legend” we invite scholars, practitioners & enthusiasts to explore the intersection of fact & fiction in aviation history.

1/6

Poster for 'Logbooks & Avdocs' with 'Aviation Cultures Spotlight' 8 November 2025, Online on Zoom' text.

Call for Papers is closing soon! We're keen to hear from you with ideas for Aviation Cultures Spotlight 'Logbooks & AvDocs' in November, but the Call for Papers closes Sunday 31 August 2025.

And see you at the free, online event - put the date in your diary now! aviationcultures.org/spotlights/l...

a cartoon dog is holding a cardboard box in its paws in front of a trash can . Alt: A cartoon dog, Gromit, is sorting letters inside the letter slot in his door.

You are invited to propose a paper! A written paper is not required, but welcome, as are slide decks and extended recordings. Proposals, including a title, a synopsis of no more than 200 words and an autobiography of no more than 150 words should be emailed to info@aviationcultures.org by 31 August.

Sessions will be 3 - 4 15-20-minute online presentations, followed by a panel discussion involving the presenters and with an opportunity for audience questions. The Spotlight will be held on Zoom. Presentations will be recorded and may be made available by Aviation Cultures online at a later date.

A session is ‘A Toolbox for Researchers’ with noted experts in the field on finding and interpreting logbooks and more. It is intended for aviation researchers and enthusiasts looking to get more from the vast array of sometimes obscure specialist documentation. Stay tuned for more details!

Photo of some aircraft recognition books and flashcards.

They say that aviation runs on paperwork! We’re looking at this with useful tools and case studies for researchers. We’d like to hear your thoughts on the changing purposes, functions, designs, usages, limitations and interpretation of aviation documentation.

Two men, JDK, left and Phil Vabre, right, mug for the camera with exaggerated expressions as they look at a couple of old aviation manuals, in front of a bookcase. Text reads: '8 November 2025, Online on Zoom, Logbooks & AvDocs, Aviation Cultures Spotlight'.

Spotlight on Logbooks & AvDocs – Call for Papers. Closing date 31 August 2025!

@philthyavnurd.bsky.social, @jdkightly.bsky.social (me!) of Aviation Cultures present this event on 8 Nov, free, online. We want your input! Ideas, papers, Qs, prompts: let us know.

aviationcultures.org/spotlights/l...

Screen grab from website Academia.edu, with message "An AI created a podcast of your paper," the label "Private to you," and a button to listen to the podcast

For academics & scholars who've uploaded papers to Academia, this message I received this morning should be of major concern. I'll delete my account, but I assume damage is done & they've already scraped everything of mine. Should stand as a warning about sharing one's work on commercial websites

The full details of the conference events. Aviation Cultures 'Spanning the Globe' Mk.VIII Conference. Coming Aviation Cultures events for 2025-26: Spotlight: Logbooks and AvDocs - 8 November 2025 Spotlight: Print the Legend - 27-28 February 2026 Online on Zoom Aviation Cultures Conference 17-20 June 2026, Kelowna BC Canada & Online. SEE YOU THERE!

And not forgetting the in person, AND online full multi-day Aviation Cultures Conference at the KF Centre for Excellence in Kelowna, BC, Canada, in collaboration with the Canadian Historical Aviation Society, 17-20 June 2026!

Thanks to he small AvCultures team for bringing this all together! -JDK

A man on a typewriter sitting in a 1930s aeroplane cockpit, with the title 'Print the Legend' and 27-28 February 2026, 'Aviation Cultures Spotlight'.

Next, 27-28 Feb, 2026, is 'Print the Legend'. A look at the changes in aviation biography from the old 'Boy's Own' to more detailed and tougher modern 'warts and all' biographies. As well as some famous names profiled by current authors, there'll be other aspects of aviation storytelling examined!