Cessna

by Sarah Kallail (WICHITA, Kan.) Cessna started handing out layoff notices Monday. The company announced last month it would be laying off 500 Wichita employees in addition to 165 employees in it's Bend, Oregon plant. Spokesman Doug Oliver said he doesn't know how many will go out today. He also said the layoffs will be well-spread throughout the company. Cessna employs roughly 12,000 people in Wichita. Cessna employs roughly 450 people in Bend, Oregon. When Cessna announced the cutbacks, the company offered a volunteer layoff program to employees.

By Megan Strader (WICHITA, Kan.) Two weeks ago, it was all cheers as Cessna gave people a look at what the company is adding to wichita, 1,000 new jobs. Fast forward to Wednesday and employees got a good look at what the company is taking away 500 of their jobs. "It's just disappointing and I think we should have known more about it sooner," said Gwen Welshimer, City Commissioner.  She was among the county commissioners and city council members who, combined, agreed to give Cessna $10 million to build the Citation Columbus plant.

It's been years since every seat at Cessna Stadium has been full. But with the National Junior Olympics in town this week, that place will be rocking for the next six days. "This meet is two or three times the state track meet and it lasts six days, so this means some long days but in the end I think it will be worth it," said John Wise, assistant track coach for Wichita State. Over 7,000 athletes from ages eight to 18 will descend into Wichita to prove they are the best against the best in the country.

Planemaker Cessna has entered the world of motor sports.  Cessna is now a primary sponsor for the #1 of Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, which is driven by Jamie McMurray. It hasn't been determined which races will feature the logo on the car.  This is the first time Cessna and its parent company Textron have ventured into NASCAR as a sponosr. Their logo will also appear on Ganassi's other NASCAR entry and his Indy cars as an associate sponsor. Eyewitness Sports Reporter Heather Williams is following NASCAR Media Week festivities in North Carolina, be sure to catch up on her blog here: Heather Williams Backstretch Blog Cessna sponsors NASCAR driver

It was good news coming out of Cessna on Monday. The plane maker unveiled a new business jet called the Citation M2.It will be made in either Wichita or Independence, meaning the potential of new jobs. "You should feel the energy from the people at the plant. They are just so excited to see that we are developing new products and we're putting in the effort to listen to customers and deliver the products they want," explains Scott Ernest, Cessna CEO. The $4.2 million aircraft has room for two crew members and six passengers.

Scott A. Ernest was named president and chief executive officer of Cessna Aircraft Company today. Ernest will report to Textron Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Scott C. Donnelly and succeeds Jack J. Pelton, whose retirement from the company was announced on May 2. Ernest has worked at General Electric Company for the past 29 years, where he worked as vice president and general manager over the global supply chain for GE Aviation, that provides...

Drums Across Kansas is bringing eight premier bugle and drum corps to Wichita State University's Cessna Stadium tonight, July 19. The performance is going to be at 8:00 p.m tonight. The time has been bumped back by one hour due to predicted high temperatures. The corps will consist of a color guard, percussion, and brass instruments. The high school and college students performing in the corps in tonight's Drums Across Kansas perform throughout the United States. Drums Across Kansas is partnered by Starkey Foundation for this event and Starkey will receive half of the general admission ticket sales.

Friday brings bad news for 700 employees at Cessna. Layoff notices went in an effort to cut costs at the plane maker. "A lot of unhappy people, losing you job's not easy," said one worker. The layoffs were announced more than two weeks ago, just days after Cessna's machinists approved a new seven year contract by default. In a memo that went out on September 21, Cessna's CEO, Jack Pelton said the company has no choice but to reduce it's workforce. "We don't know exactly what everybody makes at the upper levels but we have made concessions with our contract so it's a sad day for everybod," said a Cessna employee.

It's a landmark on the Wichita State University campus, but few remember the beginnings of Cessna Stadium. It used to go by a different name, one honoring those who sacrificed for their country. "It was dedicated just after I got back from the South Pacific at World War II," recalls veteran Phillip Blake. It was November 25th, 1948 and the Shockers were losing to the University of Nevada when half-time took a different tone. Veterans Field was dedicated; veterans from the Air Force, Army, Navy and the Marines unveiled the plaque.

Call them the exception to the rule. Spirit AeroSystems is the only major Wichita aviation company that hasn't had to lay anyone off in recent years. And it's thanking its customers, like Boeing. "They came through, arguably the worst recession since the 30's with a solid backlog. We weren't always sure that backlog would stay, but it did, and yeah, there was some nervousness," explains Buck Buchanan, Chief Operations Officer for Spirit AeroSystems. Last year, Spirit added jobs, added more work and negotiated a new contract with its machinists.