Wichita Eagle: Aviation

Cessna lays off salaried workers; numbers unclear

Molly McMillin — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:10 CDT

Cessna Aircraft laid off an undisclosed number of salaried workers Thursday, a month after it offered a voluntary retirement program for hourly and salaried workers.

The company is working to align its workforce with a reduced forecast for sales and production.

“On April 29, Cessna announced as part of the Voluntary Retirement Plan offering that the company would also proceed with involuntary separations based on performance and scope of work,” a Cessna spokesman said in a statement. “The communication at that time indicated that notification of these involuntary separations would occur within the next 30 days. Today’s (Thursday’s) actions represent the implementation of the plans announced last month.”

Spirit’s ShadowWorks a technology investment

Molly McMillin — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:50 CDT

Behind heavy doors to a spacious room inside Spirit AeroSystems’ engineering building, inventors work on a variety of projects.

Their goal is to create better manufacturing processes, reduce weight, lower costs, improve inspections or otherwise boost Spirit’s capabilities and its ability to serve customers.

Spirit’s technology development efforts are branded “ShadowWorks.” It’s the company’s long-term investment into product and process technology.

Cessna plane that uses Jet-A fuel makes first production flight

MOLLY McMILLIN — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:22 CDT

Cessna Aircraft has announced that the first production flight of the Turbo Skylane JT-A took off from Independence on Tuesday.

The single-engine piston-powered plane has a diesel engine that runs on Jet-A fuel.

The four-place plane performed as expected, Dale Bleakney, Cessna senior test pilot, said in a statement.

Boeing: Some employees suffered injuries, property damage in Oklahoma tornado

Molly McMillin — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:46 CDT

Some Boeing employees in Oklahoma City suffered injuries and personal property damage in Monday’s tornado in Moore, Okla., Boeing officials said Tuesday.

Although Boeing’s two office buildings across from Tinker Air Force Base did not sustain damage, the facilities were closed Tuesday because of a water outage caused by the storm. The facilities will reopen Wednesday, said Boeing spokeswoman Michelle Nalley.

“Our priority is the welfare and safety of our employees and their families,” Nalley said.

Galaxy Technologies planning to expand Winfield facility

Molly McMillin — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:56 CDT

Galaxy Technologies in Winfield plans to add new equipment and a 50,000-square-foot addition to its manufacturing facility.

The additional space will accommodate a new milling center and allow Galaxy to expand its fabrication capabilities, company officials said.

The company expects the new milling center to be operational in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Bombardier launches new midsize business jet, Challenger 350

Molly McMillin — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:05 CDT

As the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition prepares to open in Geneva, Bombardier Aerospace announced the launch of the midsize Challenger 350 business jet, an updated Challenger 300.

Fractional ownership company NetJets is the launch partner, Bombardier said.

NetJets has placed an order for 75 Challenger 350s, with an option for 125 more.

Wichita planemakers headed to European show

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:26 CDT

Editor's Note: This story has been changed to correct an earlier version, which included the wrong model of a Learjet that will exhibited.

Wichita planemakers are heading to Geneva, Switzerland, to showcase their products at the 13th annual European Aviation Business Association convention and exhibition.

Europe remains the second largest market for business aviation, after North America.

Southwest signs up as launch customer for Boeing’s 737 MAX 7

Molly McMillin — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:53 CDT

Dallas-based Southwest Airlines will be the launch customer of Boeing’s 737 MAX 7, the third version of Boeing’s 737 MAX family, a revamped version of Boeing’s 737, Southwest and Boeing said Wednesday.

Southwest converted existing orders for 30 737s into orders for the 737 MAX 7, becoming the first customer for the aircraft. The first delivery is expected in 2019.

“The 737 MAX 7 builds on the strengths of today’s Next Generation 737-700, incorporating the latest CFM International LEAP-1B engines (and) is expected to reduce fuel burn and CO2 emissions by an additional 12 percent over today’s most fuel-efficient single-aisle airplane,” Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines chairman, president and CEO, said in a statement.

Airlines collected record baggage fees in 2012

SCOTT MAYEROWITZ — Tue, 14 May 2013 14:41 CDT

U.S. airlines collected more than $6 billion in baggage and reservation change fees from passengers last year - the highest amount since the fees became common five years ago.

Passengers shouldn't expect a break anytime soon. Those fees - along with extra charges for boarding early or picking prime seats - have helped return the industry to profitability.

Airlines started charging for a first checked suitcase in 2008 and the fees have climbed since. Airlines typically charge $25 each way for the first checked bag, $35 for the second bag and then various extra amounts for overweight or oversized bags.

Airlines’ profits fall in 4th quarter, but show improvement for all of 2012

Molly McMillin — Tue, 14 May 2013 22:21 CDT

The nation’s 10 largest airlines, as a group, recorded a net loss of $145 million in the last quarter of 2012, compared to a $602 million loss in the fourth quarter of 2011, the Department of Transportation said Tuesday.

The losses came after two quarters of profits.

The 10 airlines carried 76.1 percent of U.S. airlines’ scheduled passengers in the last three months of the year.

Analyst: Product development cuts in downturn hurt Wichita aviation industry

Molly McMillin — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:07 CDT

The biggest concern for Wichita’s general aviation industry isn’t the market or jobs, said Teal Group aviation analyst Richard Aboulafia.

It’s manufacturers’ decision to cut engineering and product development capabilities through the downturn, Aboulafia told nearly 200 people gathered at the Wichita Aero Club luncheon on Tuesday.

There’s been some deterioration there, he said. And that can impair the capability to rebound in a still-sluggish market.

Beechcraft gets $210 million military contract for 35 T-6 trainers

Molly McMillin — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:31 CDT

Beechcraft Defense Co., a division of Beechcraft Corp., has received a $210 million contract from the Air Force for the next round of T-6 primary trainers under the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System.

The contract is for 35 T-6 turboprops: 33 for the U.S. Navy and two for the U.S. Army.

Production begins this month, with final delivery scheduled for February 2015.

Aviation industry analyst Richard Aboulafia to headline Tuesday’s Wichita Aero Club

Molly McMillin Air Capital Insider — Mon, 13 May 2013 11:13 CDT

Wichita-area enthusiasts like challenge of building replica airplanes

Molly McMillin — Mon, 13 May 2013 10:25 CDT

Standing by a long workbench in his Derby basement, Paul Fiebich shows visitors the wooden fuselage of the replica 1930s biplane he’s building.

Four fabric-covered wings are stored overhead in the neatly organized room.

Fiebich figures the biplane, a replica of the Tiger Moth, will be ready to fly within two years.

Brooks Middle School students take off with Flying Challenge

Molly McMillin — Thu, 09 May 2013 13:52 CDT

About 80 students from Brooks Middle School in Wichita spent Thursday at the National Center for Aviation Training for the conclusion of a program called Flying Challenge.

Students took turns taking flights in Cessna 172s, participating in robotics and aircraft paint labs, and watching radio-controlled aircraft.

“It was definitely an adventure,” said eighth-grader Taylor Garcia, who had never been up in a small plane before. Now, “I want to learn how to fly a plane.”

Deliveries up 10 percent for general aviation in 1st quarter; Wichita’s share drops

Molly McMillin — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:32 CDT

General aviation manufacturers delivered 458 planes in the first three months of 2013, a 10 percent increase compared to 418 for the same time a year ago.

Wichita planemakers delivered 32 percent of all aircraft shipped in the first quarter.

Billings for the quarter totaled $4.6 billion, up 32 percent compared to $3.5 billion a year ago.

Beechcraft reports delivery increase for first quarter

Molly McMillin — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:31 CDT

The newly reorganized Beechcraft Corp. delivered 59 Beechcraft and military aircraft, plus the final six remaining Hawker 4000 business jets, during the first quarter of 2013, the company said Wednesday.

That compares to 37 Beechcraft airplanes delivered in the first three months of 2012.

“The market is responding positively to the new Beechcraft Corp., as we focus on a strong line of versatile and globally-renowned products like the King Air turboprop, the T-6 military trainer aircraft and the largest global customer support network in the industry,” Beechcraft CEO Bill Boisture said in a statement. “This is not only reflected in our strong aircraft delivery numbers this quarter, but also evidenced by the highest booking rate the company has seen in the past three years.”

Pompeo introduces legislation he says will help light aircraft industry

Molly McMillin — Tue, 07 May 2013 22:56 CDT

Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-Wichita, on Tuesday introduced the Light Aircraft Revitalization Act, which sponsors say would streamline the certification process, lower costs and revitalize the general aviation industry.

Reforming certification processes would improve safety and increase innovation, Pompeo said in a statement.

The bill is cosponsored by Dan Lipinski, D-Illinois; Sam Graves, R-Missouri; Todd Rokita, R-Indiana; and Rick Nolan, D-Minnesota.

Report: Forecast bright for commercial aviation, but cuts being felt in defense spending

Molly McMillin — Tue, 07 May 2013 22:17 CDT

The outlook for the aerospace market remains favorable, while budget pressures within defense are “facing headwinds,” a report by Sterne Agee analyst Peter Arment said Monday.

The Sterne Agee report forecasts 1,254 aircraft deliveries – planes with more than 100 passenger seats and freighters – in 2013, up 5 percent compared to last year.

The forecast assumes 61 deliveries of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliners this year.

$27.4 million award to Canadian supplier from Cessna upheld

Molly McMillin — Fri, 03 May 2013 17:35 CDT

A U.S. District judge has upheld a disputed $27.4 million award to Canadian supplier Avcorp Industries from Cessna Aircraft over a long-term supplier agreement between the companies.

Avcorp has received a notice of the decision from the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas, which heard the motion by Cessna to overturn the award made in November 2012, Avcorp said.

The court also awarded interest at a rate of 10 percent per annum from Dec. 16, the date of the judgment, which totals about $1 million.