Aviation

Are you ready for drones flying overhead?  The FAA is taking proposals for six research sites for the unmanned aircraft.  Universities and local government agencies are among those asked to apply to be part of the testing to see how drones can be integrated into U.S. Airspace.   The FAA is also taking comment about issues raised by the use of drones, including fears of privacy violations and unlawful search and seizure.  ...

It's been a while since the aviation industry has seen a week like this one. Boeing delivered the long-awaited 787 Dreamliner, Cessna unveiled its new Citation M2, and Spirit announced it will open a new plant in Chanute. “I'd love to say jobs are right around the corner when we see something like this,” says Wichita aviation consultant Dave Franson. Franson says while it's good news, it's not a turnaround. “I would not come close to saying this is a recovery.

Don McGinty was walking his machine shop with a little spring his step Friday. "We have a chance to buy new equipment, hire new people and do long term planning. " McGinty Machining is a part of the tanker program team for Boeing. And with Boeing's modified 767 chosen to be the new refueling tanker, Don's hoping for some extra work in the coming years. "It's going to create a good foundation for the city of Wichita to build on and for the manufacturing industry to build on. " Even suppliers who don't do work for Boeing are feeling a little more hopeful following the announcement.

One-thousand layoffs in one week. Friday afternoon, Hawker Beechcraft announced it would lay off 350 employees.  Earlier this week, Cessna announced plans to cut 700.       But these cuts impact more than the aviation employees - it impacts the employees across the street too.       "We've already seen several rounds of this so its kind of just another blow," said one Hawker employee Friday afternoon.            This time around, Hawker announced 350 layoffs.

Members of Wichita's aviation community launched a new effort to reclaim the title of “The Air Capital of the World.” The Wichita Aero Club released a new logo to re-establish Wichita as the leading aviation business center. "Since 1928, Wichita has been known as the 'Air Capital of the World,' based primarily on the fact that the city was home to 16 airplane manufacturers, six engine factories, 11 airports and a dozen flying schools," noted Dave Franson, executive director of the Wichita Aero Club.  One hundred years ago this month, the first Kansas-built airplane took to the sky.  Albin Longren launched what has become the state's most prolific manufacturing industry with a small wood and fabric biplane that he flew half a dozen times near Topeka on September 2, 1911.  A farmer in Rago, Kansas named Clyde Cessna followed shortly thereafter with a kit-built airplane he dubbed "Silver Wings.

A spokesperson for Spirit AeroSystems, Jarrod Bartlett says that some employees may be temporarily working in other locations. Bartlett says Spirit doesn't have a number at this time. “However as we return to full production employees may be working different work assignments as required, including temporary assignment to other Spirit locations” says Bartlett. “Normal Spirit travel policies will apply.” The aviation company said Wednesday that its is goal to bring its Wichita workforce back on Monday, April 23, to restart production.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas Republicans now have a candidate for state treasurer. Sedgwick County Treasurer Ron Estes filed Friday to run for the office, becoming the first GOP hopeful to jump into the race. State Treasurer Dennis McKinney, a Democrat, is running to retain the job. He's the only Democratic candidate so far. McKinney was appointed treasurer late in 2008, when Republican Lynn Jenkins stepped down after winning a seat in Congress. McKinney is a former Kansas House minority leader.

by Jim Grawe (Wichita, Kan.) Spirit workers prepare to welcome hundreds more into their fold.  The future for many aircraft workers starts at Wichita Area Technical College. "I can't wait," says WATC student Imelda Tennant.  "I'm so excited!" "Spirit adding 700 positions, that's a great deal," WATC student Chris Seiwert says. The ten-week program gives students the tools they need to get out and start building aircraft.  Right now the college can only train 60 people at a time.

By Kim Wilhelm (Wichita, Kan.) With Boeing cutting 800 jobs in Wichita next year, workers are wondering what help is available.  Boeing is not the only aviation company to announce layoffs recently.  Hawker Beechcraft and Cessna both plan on reducing the workforce in Wichita. After the September 11th attacks in 2001, Wichita saw a massive downturn in aviation jobs.  At that time, United Way of the Plains joined forces with local government, non-profit agencies and private businesses.

Wichita Police found nothing suspicious after a package was left at the Kansas Aviation Museum. The call was reported just before 4 p.m. Wednesday. Dispatchers said someone dropped a package at the museum, 3350 S. George Washington Blvd., and left. Lon Smith, director, said someone left the package at the museum because it was stolen. He said he drove the package out past the museum gate and called 911. Officers shut down 31st and George Washington while authorities investigated.  The museum was also placed on temporary lock down.

Cessna opened the door on its latest achievement.  It is the 400th CJ3, a business jet in the Citation line. "There are over 1,600 Citation jets flying around the world today," Ron Draper, Cessna Senior Vice President of Integrated Supply Chain, said. Cessna invited its employees and the media to the roll-out celebration.  However, when we asked, Cessna execs declined to comment on the future of the aviation industry.  Draper only offered brief comments to employees.  "If there's one thing we build here at Cessna, it's confidence.  We build confidence with our customers," Draper said.

Are you ready for drones flying overhead?  The FAA is taking proposals for six research sites for the unmanned aircraft.  Universities and local government agencies are among those asked to apply to be part of the testing to see how drones can be integrated into U.S. Airspace.   The FAA is also taking comment about issues raised by the use of drones, including fears of privacy violations and unlawful search and seizure.  ...

Aircraftmaker Airbus is reaching out to Kansas aviation suppliers with a Wichita event called the Air Capital Supplier Summit.     Monday's event is hosted by U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran and Airbus Americas chairman Allan McArtor. It comes just months after the aircraft maker's biggest competitor, Boeing, announced plans to close its defense plant in Wichita.     The conference is designed to increase business between Kansas companies and Airbus. More than 200 representatives from about 90 companies are expected to meet with Airbus representatives at the National Center for Aviation Training.

Wichita aviation experts are optimistic that Hawker Beechcraft's sale to a Chinese company will bring an infusion of cash to the Wichita planemaker. Aviation consultant Dave Franson told Eyewitness News Hawker's intent in selling to Superior Aviation of Beijing is to try and minimize the impact that the bankruptcy would have on the product line, Hawker's workers and its customers. “I'm hopeful there will be a minimal impact on the company,” says Franson. “But even when these deals are made, and it's said that nothing will be changed, it's amazing how change does occur over a period of time.” Hawker Beechcraft filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May. Under the terms of the agreement, Superior will buy Hawker for $1.79 billion.

Cessna and Bombardier receive the largest order in private aviation history. NetJets announced it wants Cessna and Bombardier to build up to 425 new aircraft for its fleet. The transaction is valued at $9.6 billion. NetJets will buy up to 275 Bombardier Challenger aircraft, including 100 firm orders and options for 175 more. The order comprises 75 firm and 125 options of the Challenger 300 Series aircraft. Deliveries for this aircraft are scheduled to begin in 2014. The order also includes 25 firm and 50 options of the Challenger 605 Series aircraft, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2015.

A spokesperson for Spirit AeroSystems, Jarrod Bartlett says that some employees may be temporarily working in other locations. Bartlett says Spirit doesn't have a number at this time. “However as we return to full production employees may be working different work assignments as required, including temporary assignment to other Spirit locations” says Bartlett. “Normal Spirit travel policies will apply.” The aviation company said Wednesday that its is goal to bring its Wichita workforce back on Monday, April 23, to restart production.

What do companies like Bell Aerospace, Lockheed Mmartin, Goodrich and Nordam have in common? In addition to being in aerospace, they were among the many businesses holding a career expo in Wichita Wednesday. The expo put together dozens of companies with potential new hires at the Airport Hilton. The companies say the aerospace industry is looking brighter and they are looking for skilled workers. That keeps a company like Nordam Aerospace coming back to Wichita from its base in Tulsa.

It's a company that some say helped shape Wichita. Wednesday we learned Boeing will be leaving Wichita by the end of 2013, and taking a piece of the city's history with it. Boeing has been a part of Wichita for more than 70 years. The Kansas Aviation Museum has a wing devoted to the company, but it's what you see from its control tower that helps you understand the impact the company has had on our area. From the old Stearman building, to the KC-135s at McConnell Air Force Base, to the B-52 on the museum's ramp, to Boeing's current facility.

Bombardier announced plans it wants to hire 450 new employees in the engineering and IT fields. The proposal still needs to be approved by the Sedgwick County Commission. Even though the airplane maker is looking to fill high end positions, instructors at the National Center for Aviation Training say education is as important to getting these jobs as previous work experience. "There are new techniques and new traits," says Sheree Utash of NCAT. Since technology is constantly changing, prospective hires need to understand how it all works.