Will Boeing’s announcement help S.C. governor stay in office?

Oct. 29, 200911:23 a.m.

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford immediately issued a statement yesterday following Boeing’s decision to put a second  787 assembly line in his state. Sanford hailed the move as the biggest economic development effort in South Carolina’s history.

I wonder whether the coup will help save Sanford’s political career.

Talk of his impeachment began last summer after it came to light that he had secretly spent  five-days in Argentina with his girlfriend. When he returned, he admitted to a year-long extramarital affair.

I wonder whether the Boeing win will temper the impeachment sentiment.

By Molly McMillin | Filed under Boeing | Comments (0)

Spirit AeroSystems officially opens Malaysian aerospace facility

Oct. 28, 200911:00 a.m.

WICHITA: Spirit AeroSystems officially opened its aerospace manufacturing and design facility in Malaysia today.

Eventually, the facility is expected to employ more than 450 people in assembly, manufacturing, engineering, commercial and support roles.

The 242,000 square-foot plant will initially produce composite subassemblies for Airbus single-aisle aircraft. It also will perform design engineering developing assemblies for the Airbus A350 XWB.

The Malaysian prime minister is to officiate at an opening ceremony for the facility today. The project has received support from the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority, Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad.

By Molly McMillin | Filed under Spirit AeroSystems | Comments (4)

Cessna Aircraft and City of Greensburg to work together on environmental issues

Oct. 26, 20091:38 p.m.

Cessna Aircraft plans to help the City of Greensburg with environmental issues as the city works to rebuild itself as one of the first “green” cities.

Greensburg Mayor Bob Dixson and Cessna chairman and CEO Jack Pelton are signing a memo of understanding this afternoon, the company said. Cessna and the city will work together on developing and starting energy management programs, adopting clean and efficient sustainable resources and reducing the overall environmental impact.

The two will create a list of areas to explore and will then mobilize employees to provide expertise for a variety of projects, including green airport development and coordination of aviation activities in the Greensburg community with general aviation industry associations, the company said.

Greensburg was decimated by a deadly tornado on May 4, 2007.

Greensburg has become a living laboratory for research on sustainable design and community development, Dixson said in a statement. Teaming with Cessna shows the commitment Kansas people and businesses have to work together to better the environment.

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association will participate in certain aspects of the effort that pertain to general aviation.

By Molly McMillin | Filed under Cessna | Comments (0)

First production Cessna SkyCatcher from China in Wichita

Oct. 26, 200911:26 a.m.

The first production Cessna 162 skycatcherSkyCatcher has arrived from Shenyang, China, and is now at the Cessna factory.

There, the plane is being reassembled and modified to incorporate design changes to the tail. The changes were the result of flight testing, specifically from the spin-testing tests following the crash of two test aircraft.

The second SkyCatcher will be shipped to Yingling Aviation in Wichita for reassembly. The first 10 aircraft will need to be modified before they’re delivered to customers. Then, the changes will have been made into the production line in China.

By Molly McMillin | Filed under Cessna, aviation industry | Comments (30)

Big winner a new Big Dog owner

Oct. 21, 20094:23 p.m.

ORLANDO — Photo-0094Mike Casey is a happy man. Mike just won a Big Dog motorcyle at the Greater Wichita Economic Develop Coalition’s booth this afternoon. He had a one-in-47,000 chance of winning. Mike works for the FAA in Fort Worth.

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (1)

Tuesday’s NBAA attendance down by nearly one-fourth

Oct. 21, 200910:54 a.m.

Although attendance was down, things were still busy at the static display Wednesday.

Although attendance was down, things were still busy at the static display Wednesday.

Photo-0098Photo-0100

It’s official. Crowds are thinner at this year’s NBAA in Orlando. Organizers report that 21,807 people registered for the convention yesterday, the show’s opening day. That’s down 22 percent from record attendance of 29,350 a year ago.

The figures aren’t surprising, however, given how hard the industry has been hit by the economic crisis.

Still, said NBAA’s Patrick Dunne, “It’s going well; we’re having a strong show.”

Tuesday’s crowds on the exhibit floor seem down from past years as well. As one show veteran put it earlier this morning, ”You could roll a bowling ball through there and not hit anyone.”

Attendance has since picked up, and the exhibit floor is much busier right now.

Beautiful but windy weather Tuesday helped attendance out at the static display yesterday.

“Hawker Beechcraft’s static display was well attended,” said company spokeswoman Nicole Alexander.  ”I’m very pleased with opening day attendance.”

And Embraer officials report that crowds were long to get inside the Phenom 100 at the static display yesterday.

I’m heading out there this afternoon.

By Molly McMillin | Filed under aviation industry | Comments (0)

Wichita native Clay Lacy to be honored by National Aviation Hall of Fame

Oct. 21, 200910:41 a.m.

Wichita-native Clay Lacy, a veteran pilot who has conducted over 2,500 air-to-air photo flights for hundreds of commercials, television and feature films, including “Top Gun”, will be honored next year by the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

Lacy began flying at the age of 12 and had logged 1,500 flight hours by the age of 19 when he went to work flying for United Airlines. He retired from United after 40 years. He also started the first executive jet charter service west of Mississippi, operating out of Van Nuys Airport in California. Lacy is veteran air race pilot and holds numerous world-flying records.

He will receive the award in July.

By Molly McMillin | Filed under Uncategorized, aviation industry | Comments (0)

Exhibitors down at NBAA, but inquiries are good

Oct. 20, 20094:36 p.m.
Some empty exhibit space at NBAA. Last year, the exhibit hall was full. This year, fewer vendors are displaying their products at the show. Still, the convention has about 1,000 exhibitors.

Some empty exhibit space at NBAA. Last year, the exhibit hall was full. This year, fewer vendors are displaying their products at the show. Still, the convention has about 1,000 exhibitors.

ORLANDO — Some Wichita exhibitors say traffic was down somewhat today at this year’s NBAA. But there were fewer tire kickers.

The ones  here really want to talk, said Larry Franke, president of Avcon Industries in Newton.

In fact, three or four “really good contacts” came by Avcon’s exhibit today, Franke said.

Business is down in the general aviation business overall. So it’s natural that traffic would be down at the show, said Charles Skelton of Wichita’s Aircraft Interior Products.

“We’re looking at cautious optimism,” said Skelton, standing by carpets and other products for aircraft interiors.

By Molly McMillin | Filed under aviation industry | Comments (0)

Forbes publisher says there’s optimism in a recession

Oct. 20, 20094:31 p.m.

Machinists international president Tom Buffenbarger wasn’t the only one to make remarks at this morning’s general session that kicked off the opening of the National Business Aviation Association convention.

Forbes publisher and business airplane owner Rich Karlgaard was one of the keynote speakers.

In September 2008, “the economy went off a cliff,” Karlgaard said. He compared this recession to one during the 1973-1974 time frame.

The stock market drop, unemployment rates and “ill mood” was the same back then, he said.

The 1970s had been the worst economic decade since the 1930s.

But there are reasons for optimism.

During the 1970s, many entrepreneurs started successful businesses: Federal Express, Southwest Airlines, Oracle and Apple. Charles Schwab was getting started and Intel invented the microprocessor.

This kind of a recession also clears out things that don’t work, he said.

“When the market drops, the tide goes out and we find out who’s been swimming without clothes,” he said. The market discovers who’s business plans don’t really work.

By Molly McMillin | Filed under aviation industry | Comments (0)

Some cool freebies at NBAA

Oct. 20, 20094:29 p.m.

ORLANDO — It’s fun walking around the booths on the exhibit floor at the Orange County Convention Center.

Some of the exhibitors are giving away some pretty cool freebies.

Maria Dahlquist of Premium RVSM Services in Kechi has some of the best, one visitor at her booth said this afternoon.  Among her goodies are paper clips shaped like airplanes, screen sweepers, luggage tags and letter openers.

Sterling Courier of Herndon, Va., has flashing lapel pins shaped like an airplane.

The goodies help people to the booth,  Dominic Corrado, national accounts manager of Sterling Courier said. They say their kids would like the flashing lapel pins, then they begin talking about the company’s services.

One of my favorites is a pen with a cute, quirky face given away by Air Center of Scottsdale, Ariz.   When you push a button, my says, “Thanks a lot; thank you so much; thank you very very much.” Another one just laughs.

Ask and I’ll demonstrate. Thank you very much.Photo-0087Photo-0089Photo-0092

By Molly McMillin | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (0)