By Carl Chance, Wings Over Kansas’ aviation & aerospace correspondent, former news consultant and producer for Wingspan Air & Space Channel.
Apollo Astronaut lands at Kansas Cosmosphere & Space Center:
The Kansas Cosmosphere & Space Center in Hutchinson, Kansas held a screening for the new space-themed documentary, "The Wonder of it All," Saturday, Jan. 26th in the Carey IMAX Dome Theater.
Jeffrey Roth, the movie’s producer/director, was at the Cosmosphere to introduce the movie before each screening and to answer questions.
The Cosmosphere also hosted a presentation with Apollo 7 astronaut Walter Cunningham, the day of the event. Cunningham signed copies of his book, "The All-American Boys" in the Cosmosphere lobby.
The event marked Cunningham’s first trip to the Cosmosphere and one of the movie’s first showings.
"The Wonder of it All" outlines the lives of all 12 moonwalkers from childhood to present — seven of the astronauts appear in interviews during the documentary. The film includes anecdotes never before mentioned by those interviewed.
Cunningham, a member of the third group of astronauts selected by NASA, was the Lunar Module pilot on the first manned Appolo mission, Apollo 7, an 11-day Earth-orbit flight in October 1968.
Cunningham is also the subject of an Aviation Education Pioneer Lesson Plan found on www.wingsoverkansas.com.
Spirit AeroSystems and Russian Aviation form Partnership:
Russia’s United Aircraft Corp. and Spirit AeroSystems have forged a partnership with the objective to work on Russian civil aircraft projects.
The new partnership will be named, Spirit-Progresstech LLC, which will perform engineering consulting services.
Spirit President and CEO Jeff Turner said in a news release, "Our partnership is mutually beneficial to both companies, in growing our business and supporting our customers around the world. For Spirit, it will bring access to engineering talent and developing technologies."
Forging this new relationship with Russia brings the United States of America and Russia together to be an even stronger ally in the global effort in a common fight against terrorism and recasts our relationships with the world.
Boeing and Lockheed Martin Team for Next Generation Bomber Program:
The Boeing Company and Lockheed Martin announced they will team to perform studies and system development efforts including collaborative research and development in pursuit of the anticipated U.S. Air Force Next Generation Bomber program.
This collaborative effort for a long-range strike program will include work in advanced sensors and future electronic warfare solutions including advancements in network enabled battle management, command and control, and virtual warfare simulation and experimentation.
"Boeing and Lockheed Martin are working closely at all levels to capture the best of industry to develop and provide an effective and affordable solution for the warfighter," said Darryl Davis, president of Boeing Advanced Systems. Davis went on to say, "The work performed by the Boeing/Lockheed Martin team is designed to help the Air Force establish capability-based roadmaps for technology maturation and date certain timelines for the Next Generation Bomber program."
Boeing and Lockheed Martin have formed teams for several high profile programs including the F-22 Raptor and Small Diameter Bomb Increment II.
"The combined technical strengths of Boeing and Lockheed Martin offer the best possible team to provide a new long range capability to the USAF by 2018," stated Frank Cappuccio, Lockheed Martin’s executive vice president and general manager Advanced Development Programs (the Skunk WorksÒ) and Strategic Planning.
New Learjet 85 Aircraft Features All-Composite Structure Design:
Bombardier Aerospace announced the selection of Grob Aerospace to develop the all-composite structure of the new Learjet 86 Aircraft, the next generation in Learjet excellent. Grob will also build the first three prototype aircraft for the program.
Launched originally on October 30, 2007 — with a provisional name — the new Learjet 85 aircraft will be the first Bombardier Aerospace jet to feature an all-composite structure and will be the first all-composite structure business jet designed for type certification under FAR Part 25.
An extraordinary advancement in next generation flight, the Learjet 85 aircraft’s all-composite structure will allow Learjet designers to maximize cabin comfort while minimizing drag and improving performance. Exceptional strength to-weight ratio, reduced maintenance and extended service life are key characteristics of all composite airframes and the ultra smooth surfaces of the carbon fiber structures permit superior aerodynamics. Other competitive advantages of composites include reduced structural part count and significantly less vulnerability to corrosion or fatigue damage of metal.
For more information of the Learjet 85, we invite you to visit: www.learjet85.com
Textron’s Cessna Launches Large Cabin Citation Business Jet:
Cessna Aircraft Company announced it will proceed with developing a large cabin, intercontinental aircraft to add to the top of its line of Citation business jets.
"The approval of the large cabin Citation reflects Textron’s confidence in this major investment," said Lewis B. Campbell, chairman, president and CEO of Textron. "The development of this product is an important strategic step in the long-term positioning of Cessna’s product line in the global marketplace and we have the utmost confidence in Cessna’s ability to meet customer needs with this new jet."
"I’m ecstatic to announce we are extending the Citation line upward and grateful for the patience of the customers who have urged Cessna to add a large cabin Citation, including many who are planning to move up from their existing Citation business jets," said Jack J. Pelton, chairman, president and CEO of Cessna. "We have invested a great deal of time in evaluating this concept to determine a solid business case and involved customers very early in this program. We’re confident our efforts will result in an aircraft that is right for the marketplace."
Cessna unveiled a proof-of-concept mockup for what will be the largest business jet ever developed by the 8-year-old company during the 2006 National Business Aviation Association conference and annual convention. Since then, company officials have taken the mockup to events worldwide to gather feedback from potential customers on anticipated performance, features and creature comforts.
Details of the aircraft and the program will be announced during a press conference scheduled for Feb. 6th in Washington, D.C.
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation Appoints New Director of Media and Public Relations:
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation announced the appointment of Andrew Broom as director of media and public relations. Broom will be an official company spokesperson, responsible for all aspects of the company’s media relation’s strategies for all local, trade, national, business, consumer and international media. He will also provide counsel and support for crisis management and executive communications.
"We are very excited to have Andrew join our team," said Jackie Berger, vice president, communications and public affairs. "As our new director of media and public relations, he brings a rich experience in media relations and extensive knowledge of the industry — both critical skills as we continue to strengthen our global presence."
Most recently, Broom held the position of director of public relations for aircraft manufacturer Eclipse Aviation Corporation, based in Albuquerque, N.M. There, he was responsible foe all media relations, tradeshows and exhibitions, government relations and marketing communications. During his tenure at Eclipse Aviation, he also worked in aircraft sales promoting and selling the Eclipse 500 very light jet.
Prior to Eclipse Aviation, Broom was the manager of operations for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), based in Washington, D.C. As a registered lobbyist, he promoted GAMA’s initiatives on Capitol Hill including FAA and NASA research and developmental funding. He also chaired the Transportation Research Board’s advisory panel.
From 1997 to 2000, Broom held various senior executive positions in career services at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla., including director and program manager. He also held an adjunct facility position in the Aeronautical Science Department, teaching successful pilot career planning.
Broom is a certified commercial pilot in airplane single-engine land and sea and instrument aircraft, and is a former flight instructor. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science and a Master of Business Administration in Aviation from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.