By Carl Chance, aviation & aerospace corespondent, former news consultant and producer for Wingspan Air & Space Channel.
This is the continuing installment bringing you aviation and aerospace news and items of interest from Wichita, the Air Capital of the World.
Kansas Aerospace Employment:
Just to keep you updated regarding employment, Sunday’s June 4th issue of the Wichita Eagle listed multiple aviation/aerospace positions open.
Jobs listed are as follows: Bombardier/Learjet listed 16 open job categories. Garmin, Inc. listed positions open in flight controls, systems engineers, senior flight, controls systems and engineers.
Raytheon Aircraft Company has openings in, sheet metal assembly, final line assembly, composite assembly and aircraft painters.
Other companies publishing want ads were Thayer Aerospace, TECT Aerospace, Harlow Aerostructures and B & S Aircraft.
For additional job contacts with Wichita Airbus/North American Wing Design, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, Cessna Aircraft Company and Spirit AeroSystems, click on the WingsOverKansas.com Aviation Careers menu button.
Good fortune to you in your employment search.
“Doc,” the WWII B-29 Superfortress:
Last month I reported on the restoration status of “Doc.” We’re making some progress.
“Doc” has now been moved to the NW Boeing Hanger on the East Side of Oliver. This is the Boeing Military facility, directly across the street from Spirit AeroSystems.
Forrestt Gossett, Boeing spokesperson hopes to have “Doc” available to the public sometime in July. We’re hoping that this is doable and is ready to be showcased by the time the Wichita Flight Festival celebration happens August 26th-27th. That celebration will be staged at Jabara Airport located north of Raytheon/beech Aircraft Company.
Cessna Aircraft in the news:
On May 31, 2006, Cessna Aircraft Company, a subsidiary of Textron, Inc., marked a decade of producing Cessna’s single engine piston aircraft at the company’s manufacturing facility in Independence, Kansas. More than 6,000 Cessna Skyhawks, 182 Skylanes and 206 Stationairs have been built, painted and flight-tested and delivered to customers since the Independence facility opened in 1996.
But as they say, “there’s more!” Another cause for celebration is that on the same day, the very first Citation Mustang produced in Independence, KS., rolled off the manufacturing line. It is the first business jet Cessna has ever produced outside of Wichita, Kansas.
Needless to say, Jack J. Pelton is a very happy Cessna Chairman, President and Chief Executive officer.
Aviation Discovery Days at the Kansas Aviation Museum:
Only 12 days away until Aviation Discovery Days happens. It’s a weekend of family fun and you owe it to yourself to attend, especially if it’s been awhile since your last visit to the museum.
There’s been impressive restoration upgrades and new displays have been added.
Friday night, June 16th will feature the Aviator’s Ball, a themed event to showcase the museum building. Cool Blue, a band specializing in Big Band music, will perform.
The museum is showcasing its ability to provide education into the history of aviation in Wichita and to show off new exhibits and the progress of the building renovation.
The museum has scheduled a series of speakers, including some geared to the pilot community and others more geared to the general population and aviation history. Many aircraft will be on display with open cockpits for touring.
I’ll have more details available for you in next week’s update issue. In the meantime call the museum at 316-683-9242 for details.
Aviation/Astronaut Training Program:
Here’s another reminder for those interested to hurry and enroll for upcoming sessions at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center.
In last month’s Air Capital Aviation Report, I gave you specific details regarding this program. You can access it on WingsOverKansas.com on the Aviation News page as it is archived there.
However to receive more information or to enroll in a session, contact the education coordinator at 620-662-2305, ext. 323.
Jayhawk Wing of the Commemorative Air Force:
I didn’t want to end this report without mentioning a really unique organization and some really great people.
Hopefully you are aware of the CAF, an all-volunteer, non-profit organization. The Wichita, Kansas Jayhawk Wing has created the Young Aviator School for 13 to 19 year-old’s. Contact Herb Duncan, webmaster at 316-259-3990 or Wing Leader, Doug Moler at 316-207-8331.
Please check out their site at www.cafjayhawks.org. The national site can be accessed at www.confederateairforce.org.
I’ll have more news and items of interest in my next report. Keep logging on to www.wingsoverkansas.com for weekly aviation and aerospace update stories and features.
For questions and comments contact me at [email protected].