GWEDC touts region at NBAA

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Oct. 11--BY MOLLY MCMILLIN The Wichita Eagle

LAS VEGAS -- The Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition's exhibit was a popular place Monday afternoon.

About 100 Wichita aviation professionals gathered for a reception showcasing Wichita's industry and its role as the Air Capital of the World.

The GWEDC is promoting Wichita and its aviation industry at the National Business Aviation Association's annual convention in Las Vegas this week. The show officially opened Monday.

Wichita's economic development arm partnered with 13 Kansas companies, Mid-Continent Airport, the National Institute for Aviation Research and others.

The GWEDC is reinforcing Wichita's role as the Air Capital of the World. A new logo designed by the Greteman Group is incorporated in the booth, its biggest ever.

It's so big, there is a Cessna Skycatcher inside. Convention attendees are trying to win the light sport aircraft by coming up with the correct six-digit code.

U.S. Rep. Mike Pompeo and Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer spoke at Monday's reception.

"We have an amazing product that we make in south-central Kansas," Pompeo said.

He said he cringes when he hears the Obama Administration talk about the "fat cats" who use business jets. It ignores the people who fly for business and those who depend on the business jet industry for their livelihood, Pompeo said.

"You haven't asked for a bailout; you haven't asked for any money," he said.

The industry just wants to be left alone to grow jobs in Kansas, Pompeo said.

The state has worked on a series of initiatives to grow business, Colyer said.

Companies that move from out of state to one of 55 Kansas counties don't have to pay income tax, he said.

In addition the state has committed $10 million over 10 years to increase the number of engineers at Wichita State University, Kansas State University and the University of Kansas.

Kansas also has more work to do to become more business-friendly.

"We believe we have to make major changes in the tax code," Colyer said.

The state plans to release a plan in the next few weeks to reduce corporate and personal income tax as a way to grow jobs.

"Kansas is now open for business," he said.

In other NBAA news:

Hawker Beechcraft

The company announced an order for 12 Hawker 800XPR aircraft from XOJet, a private aviation company.

The planes are needed as XOJet's business has grown, causing demand for a third fleet type, the company said. XOJet grew 40 percent last year.

"We looked at the available options for aircraft that would match the unmet needs of our network, and the clear standout was the Hawker 800XPR," said Blair LaCorte, XOJet CEO.

Hawker Beechcraft also delivered its 100th T-6B primary trainer to the U.S. Navy. The plane will be stationed at the Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton, Fla. The Navy has flown the trainer since August 2009.

The company initially began delivering the trainer in 2000 after it was selected to fill the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System providing trainers for the Air Force and the Navy.

Pelton sighting

A familiar face at the GWEDC booth was Jack Pelton, former Cessna Aircraft CEO.

Pelton joked that he had to shave and break out his suit to come to NBAA. He said he mostly has been wearing shorts since he retired from Cessna in May.

He said he recently returned from camping with actor Harrison Ford and has been doing a lot of flying for fun. On Monday, he also was celebrating the birth of a grandson, who was born Monday in Kansas City.

Pelton, who still lives in Wichita, is doing consulting work with an international company looking for a place in the U.S. to set up a facility to build a regional jet. Of course, Pelton said, he's partial to Wichita and is promoting the city to the company.

Piper Aircraft

The company said it's improving its M-Class single-engine business aircraft: the turboprop Meridian, pressurized piston Mirage and unpressurized Matrix.

The biggest design changes are in enhanced pilot comfort and cockpit access through redesigned seating that gives more elbow and hip room, brighter LED lighting, more air distribution and other improvements.

Embraer

The Brazilian jetmaker announced an order for 13 Legacy 650 jets from China's Minsheng Financial Leasing Co. in a ceremony at NBAA. The first five aircraft are expected to be delivered this year, with the remainder to be delivered within the next five years.

Follow Molly McMillin's coverage of the NBAA's annual convention at www.kansas.com, on her blog at http://blogs.kansas.com/aviation and on Twitter at mmcmillin with the hashtag #NBAA11.

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