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| | March 27, 2006 - Volume 3, Number 7
NIAR hosts U.S. House Aviation
Subcommittee Hearing
 | A field hearing of the Aviation Subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure was held at Wichita State University ’s National Institute for Aviation Research March 23. |
Congressmen John Mica, Todd Tiahrt and Jerry Moran during Wednesday's Aviation Subcommittee hearing. The hearing focused on “Keeping Our U.S. Aviation Manufacturing Industry Competitive” and was attended by Aviation Subcommittee members John Mica, chairman (R-Fla), Jerry Moran (R-Kan), Vern Ehlers (R-Mich) as well as Appropriations Committee member Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan).
Representatives heard testimony from aviation executives including Jack Pelton, president of Cessna Aircraft Company; James Schuster, chairman & CEO of Raytheon Aircraft Company; Peter Bunce, president & CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association; Janet Harrah, director of WSU’s Center for Economic Development; Jeffrey Turner, president & CEO of Spirit Aerosystems and William Greer, vice president & GM of Airbus North America Engineering.
In his statement, Pelton said, “A leading concern for us right now is the issue of FAA certification. Bringing new aircraft to the global market is the culmination of years of private investment in research, development and testing by a manufacturer with thousands of suppliers…Certification has now become a risk and threatens our business plan.”
“We believe that continued Congressional oversight of the general aviation industry is critical to is survival…and that oversight only comes through direct involvement, such as through funding and through hearings like this.”
Schuster expressed concerns with emerging foreign markets such as China and India.
“It is important to ensure that the FAA and other federal agencies continue to support aviation expansion into emerging markets,” he said. Working to break down trade barriers is critical to continue the dramatic increase we are seeing in U.S. exports of aerospace products and services.”
Prior to the hearing the Congressman and their staffs as well as those giving testimony listened to a presentation given by NIAR Executive Director Dr. John Tomblin. The group then went on a brief tour of NIAR’s Composites, Crash Dynamics and Advanced Joining Laboratories.
Congressmen Todd Tiahrt, John Mica, Vern Ehlers and Jerry Moran listen as NIAR Executive Director Dr. John Tomblin explains the operation of NIAR's Crash Dynamics Laboratory.
Representative Mica described NIAR’s facilities as very impressive.
“I'm sure the community, state and country can be proud of their work,” he said.
Representative Moran was pleased to have the hearing near his “backyard.” He said, “There is no state in which this (aviation competitiveness) matters more.”
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