R&D Brief Vol 5. Num. 14    September 29, 2008   NIAR joins regional partners to market the "Air Capital" at NBAA convention   The National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) at Wichita State University has partnered with the Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition, the State of Kansas and other area organizations to sponsor an exhibit at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention Oct. 6-8 in Orlando, Fla.   Through a 20-foot-tall “Air Capital of the World” exhibit, the region and state will have a stronger presence than ever before at NBAA, the world’s largest business jet show.    In recent years, the State of Kansas and Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition have sponsored small booths at the show. After seeing the large booths sponsored by others cities and states, representatives felt the need to step up their efforts. The partners will specifically market the area’s advanced research and training capabilities, as well as the development opportunities at regional airports. Although representative from NIAR attend NBAA annually, NIAR has not sponsored an exhibit at NBAA in several years. “NIAR’s success depends on the success of the Kansas aviation industry,” said Dr. John Tomblin, NIAR Executive Director. “Our presence at NBAA is an opportunity to strengthen that association, build more relationships and further spread the word that this is the region with the businesses, training resources and workforce to help aviation companies succeed.” Tomblin and Tom Aldag, NIAR’s director of research and development will attend the convention, but will not be stationed at the exhibit. “We are specifically interested in spreading the word about our new DO-160 environmental testing capabilities and building relationships with potential clients in this area,” said Aldag. NIAR’s Environmental Testing Laboratories are currently capable of performing RTCA DO-160 certification for sections 4-6, 8, 14-19, 22 and 25 with plans for the remaining sections to open soon. If you will be at NBAA, stop by booth 1522 to see the exhibit, talk to the partners and register to win “The Air Capital Golf Fly-In for 2.” The “Air Capital of the World” exhibit partners are the Kansas Department of Commerce, Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition, Butler County Economic Development, Harvey County Economic Development/Newton City-County Airport, National Institutute for Aviation Research at Wichita State University, Composites Kansas Wired Initiative, Reno County Economic Development/Hutchinson Community College/ Hutchinson Airport, Sumner County Economic Development Commission, Wichita Area Technical College and Wichita Mid-Continent Airport/Col. James Jabara Airport, K-96 Corridor Development Association and Nimlok Kansas/The Design Centre.  The National Institute for Aviation Research is a prestigious state-of-the-art aerospace research and development laboratory with global reach and expertise in research, design, testing, and certification. The Institute’s clientele includes many of the world’s aerospace manufacturers, NASA and the FAA. It is the largest aviation R&D academic institution in America.  The National Institute for Aviation Research is an unincorporated division of Wichita State University.