General Aviation industry makes Wichita "air capital of the world"

When President Obama said in his State of the Union address that America needs to out-build and out-innovate the rest of the world, he must have had in mind the example of our extraordinary general aviation industry.

And today I had the great pleasure of meeting with several thousand general aviation workers in Wichita, Kansas, including folks from Learjet, Beechcraft, Bombardier, and Cessna.

I've traveled all across the U.S., and I have rarely been so warmly welcomed.  These are proud American workers, and they have good reason to be proud.  General aviation is a big driver of economic opportunity and innovation, supporting 1.2 million jobs across the country and contributing more than $150 billion to our nation’s economy.

And nowhere is that more evident than in Wichita, "air capital of the world."  General aviation has put Wichita--and Kansas--back on track for economic recovery.  According to Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer and General Aviation Manufacturers Association president Jack Pelton, that has something to do with Wichita having, "the best workforce in the world."

Wichita area workers are designing and building the next generation of aircraft to be used by general aviation pilots around the globe. They’re creating and exporting the business tools that companies throughout the world need.

Even in a down-cycle, general aviation still generated $4.9 billion in export revenue for the United States in 2010. In fact, two-thirds of Cessna's aircraft orders are international.  This makes aviation a critical component in reaching the President’s goal of doubling exports within five years.

The general aviation innovators I met with have an entrepreneurial spirit that matches the pioneers of aviation.  And, as the global economy picks up, I’m proud to stand with them, working together to make sure general aviation continues to flourish.

The work they do and the products they make--that's how America will win the future.

Comments

[Debbie Hersman]

Secretary LaHood,

I have really enjoyed reading Fast Lane. Your blog has done a great job promoting your priorities and keeping the public informed about DOT activities.

The NTSB starts blogging today at http:\\www.wordpress.com; I look forward to joining the conversation.

And you can be sure that I will keep my blackberry in the glovebox while I am on the road. Thanks for your advocacy on distracted driving,

Debbie

Deborah A.P. Hersman
Chairman
National Transportation Safety Board

[A-1 Auto Transport]

I hope this will get everyone together to bring back the Wichita Flight Festival --- I was there in 2008 and it was amazing! Then I waited for it in 2009 and it wasn't held, why not?

Anyway I think that this should give an extra push to bring back the festival.

[Eileen]

Interesting! What exactly makes Kansas a great location for general aviation? I have recently been watching the battle for the refueling tankers which was eventually won by Boeing.

[Free Link Cloaker]

I was just watching this on television the other day.
They are even getting international customers to overhaul the their planes, because they are doing it faster and cheaper than anyone else.

They basically have these things on assembly lines, while overhauling.

[Jack N.]

Ugh, times are hard it's good to see more jobs coming out.

[wordpress themes]

For me, we have already "out-build" atleast 75% of the rest of the world... so what we need to do now is increase the margin... and yes aviation industry can be so easily considered as the backbone of our economy... we rock!!! proud to be an American.......

[Women's Steel Toe Boots]

This comment "The general aviation innovators I met with have an entrepreneurial spirit that matches the pioneers of aviation"

...meant a lot to me, because it showed that General Aviation does not sit around waiting for opportunities to present themselves, but rather goes out and creates them.

No wonder they doing so well

[Property for sale in Spain]

It is great to seea good news story regarding employment after all of the doom and gloom stories surrounding the world becuase of the recession. You almost breathe a sigh of relief when manufacturing looks like it is trying to get itself out of trouble and has the confidence to make big strides like this.

I am not American, but I am looking forward to the US jumping out of recession so that the rest of the world can follow.

[Ken Bonner]

We simply have to do EVERYTHING we can to keep jobs, especially jobs in the aviation world here in the states.

This is a scary post during equally scary economic times.

Ken

[CarTran]

I would have thought Los Angeles, Miami or New York would be the air capital of the world as they are the busiest airports in the World.

What make Kansas the Air Capital of the World ?

Looking forward to your reply !