WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ aviation industry will be showcased next week at the world’s largest aerospace show.
The 50th Paris Air Show, which runs Monday through Sunday, is being held at the airport outside Paris where Charles Lindbergh landed after his historic trans-Atlantic flight in 1927.
The Wichita Eagle (http://bit.ly/12uLyU2 ) reports that Kansas will have a wide array of products and services on display. Beechcraft Corp., Bombardier Aerospace and Spirit AeroSystems are among the 2,215 exhibitors that have signed up for displays. Cessna Aircraft said it will not have aircraft on display this year.
The Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition and the Kansas Department of Commerceare planning to market the state and the region at an exhibit inside the U.S. Pavilion. They will be joined by Kansas suppliers Aerobind, Apex Engineering , CE Machine, Exacta Aerospace, HM Dunn and the MetalFinishing Co.
“We’re there to show our supply chain and show all the great reasons Wichita is still the Air Capital,” saidTammy Nolan, marketing director for the GWEDC. “We want to meet with some new international companies as well and help make some new introductions.”
Among those expected to attend are Gov. Sam Brownback and Kansas Secretary of Commerce Pat George. Joining them will be John Tomblin, head ofWichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research.
“The industry is on the upswing,” Brownback said. “Wichita is on the upswing. It’s a good time to be going.”
Kansas is home to 200 aviation suppliers with some 30,000 workers employed in the aviation industry.
“I think our integrated position is more competitive than anybody in the world,” Brownback said. “The entire structure is here. There’s no place else in the world that has that. We have to go sell that.”
Spirit AeroSystems will host a booth and a chalet at the show. Beechcraft Corp. is highlighting its military products, including the T-6, AT-6 and King Air aircraft. It is the first time Beechcraft will be displaying its AT-6 light attack aircraft
“It’s a huge international venue,” said Russ Bartlett, president of Beechcraft Defense Co., Beechcraft’s military unit. “We get more done there in four days, more engagement opportunities, densely packed into a four-day opportunity than you could do independently (going) country to country or having them come here. It’s a high payoff for us.”
Bombardier plans to host a chalet, static display and a pavilion featuring its CSeries airliner.
Bombardier president and chief operating officer Guy Hachey said in a statement the Paris Air Show comes at an exciting time in the company’s history given a number of important milestones, such as the first CSeries aircraft flight, close on the horizon.
“We’re taking this opportunity to connect with many of our stakeholders, share our enthusiasm for the future and showcase the great progress we are making on product development, our international growth and our commitment to leadership in customer satisfaction,” he said.
http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Kansas-aviation-on-display-at-Paris-air-show-4602529.php