Boeing is planning to announce its intent to buy the 787 operations run by Vought Aircraft Industries in North Charleston, S.C. from the Carlyle Group, according to a report by FlightBlogger’s Jon Ostrower, which cites unnamed sources.
In the last two years, Boeing has worked to gain control over its supply chain for the troubled 787 program. The purchase may set the stage for a second final assembly line for the new 787.
Once an announcement is made, there will be a week-long transition to shift operational control of the facility to Boeing, the report said.
The transition will draw on the lessons learned after Boeing sold off its Wichita commercial operations to Onex Corp. in 2005, forming Spirit AeroSystems. Spirit is a key supplier to Boeing on the 787 program.
More than 100 airplanes from around the country are expected to be landing at the Newton City/County Airport in Newton for the annual Fourth of July Fly-in.
The 46th annual fly-in is hosted by the Experimental Aircraft Association Jayhawk Chapter 88. A $5 donation is requested for adults.
Some of the activities include airplane judging, flying contests, Young Eagle airplane rides and the building of airplane toys. Children between the ages of 8 and 17 can experience what it takes to be a pilot with a brief ground school to learn how an airplane flies and how a pilot prepares for a flight, followed by a ride in an airplane. The program is free.
An annual banquet will be held at the Fox Ridge Country Club at 800 S. Kansas in Newton. The dinner begins at 6 p.m. followed by a presentation by aircraft photographer Paul Bowen. Tickets for the banquet are $15 and can be purchased at the fly-in.
