Editor Carl Chance, Wings Over Kansas’ aviation & aerospace correspondent, former news consultant and producer for Wingspan Air & Space Channel.
Hawker Beechcraft Requests Review of U.S. Air Force Light Air Support Contract Bidding Process After U.S. Air Force Denies Debriefing Request
WICHITA, Kan. (Nov. 22, 2011) – Following the notification last week that Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) was excluded from the Light Air Support (LAS) bidding process, the company has requested that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) review the Air Force’s decision. The company issued the following statement on this action:
“Yesterday, November 21st, we received notification that the United States Air Force formally denied our second request for a debriefing. As a result, we still have no information on why the Beechcraft AT-6 was excluded from the Light Air Support competition. We continue to believe that we offered the most capable, affordable and sustainable light attack aircraft as measured against the Air Force’s Request for Proposal. HBC’s exclusion from competing for this important contract appears at this point to have been made without basis in process or fact. We are very interested in learning more about the decision and look forward to the results of the GAO’s review.”
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation is a world-leading manufacturer of business, special mission, light attack and trainer aircraft – designing, marketing and supporting aviation products and services for businesses, governments and individuals worldwide. The company’s headquarters and major facilities are located in Wichita, Kan., with operations in Salina, Kan.; Little Rock, Ark.; Chester, England, U.K.; and Chihuahua, Mexico. The company leads the industry with a global network of more than 100 factory-owned and authorized service centers. For more information, visit www.hawkerbeechcraft.com.
Wounded Veteran Brought Home in American Patriot, Welcomed Home by Crowd of Family, Cessnans
WICHITA, Kan., Dec. 14, 2011 — Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, welcomed home to Wichita wounded veteran Private First Class Shawn Williams for Cessna’s third Veterans Airlift Command mission. Williams came home to a crowd of several hundred Cessna employees, his family and the local American Legion Riders. Williams’ step-father is a Cessna employee. This is Williams first holiday season home with his family for more than two years.
Williams was injured in Afghanistan in June of 2011, when the Stryker he was driving hit an IED. He was airlifted to Germany, then to Washington and ultimately down to San Antonio for treatment at the Brooke Army Medical Center. He suffered burns to his hands and face, had pins inserted into his foot and was confined to a wheelchair until three weeks ago.