Beautiful start to the show

AIA hosts star-studded VIP reception

The stars of the aerospace industry shone brightly tonight at AIA’s annual VIP reception and dinner.

Fresh off the heels of the SJAC reception, AIA brought together a multitude of distinguished visitors to network and renew acquaintances before the show starts Monday morning. The dinner is a traditional gathering of senior executives of AIA’s member companies, and this year our membership was represented in full force.

In addition to industry attendees, many government VIPs were guests at the reception and dinner, including: Major General Charles Bolden, Administrator of NASA; Fred Hochberg, President & Chairman of the Export-Import Bank; and Nicole Lamb-Hale, Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing and Services, US Department of Commerce; Liam Fox, U.K. Secretary of State for Defense; Ash Carter, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics.

The CoDel was also present for the reception, with Sen. Inhofe giving a dinner invocation.

Major themes of the evenings discussion included ratification of the US-U.K. treaty and export control modernization.

Check out a slideshow from the evening below:

Contact: patrick.carlson[at]aia-aerospace.org

U.S. and Japanese aerospace companies unite at AIA-SJAC reception

Tonight members of AIA and the Society of Japanese Aerospace Companies (SJAC) reaffirmed the long-standing relationship between the U.S. and Japanese aerospace industries at a reception in London.

In remarks to the crowd, Marion C. Blakey, AIA President and CEO, said, “The partnership between the Japanese and U.S. aerospace industry remains a solid foundation to build on, and serves as an excellent launching pad for products like the 787 that we are all excited to see at the Farnborough Air Show.”

AIA Chairman Scott Donnelley speaks at AIA-SJAC reception

AIA Chairman and Textron President and CEO Scott Donnelly went even further, saying “I am confident that we have not yet seen the full potential of Japan-US cooperation in the civil, space, and defense aerospace sectors.”

SJAC Chairman Kazuo Tsukuda at the reception

Now more than ever, Japanese and U.S. companies operate internationally and interdependently. For instance, SJAC Chairman Kazuo Tsukuda said that 35% of the Boeing 787 structure and equipment is manufactured in Japan. Boeing outsourced wing manufacturing for the first time, to a Japanese company.

CoDel tours Dreamliner, DoD corral

Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner made its first international appearance this morning, touching down at Farnborough shortly after 9am. Amid the many enthusiasts and media eager to get a glimpse of the aircraft, the U.S. Congressional Delegation (CoDel) were the first guests taken to tour the interior.

CoDel tour of 787 interior

Sens. Cochran, Dodd, Graham, Inhofe and Graham participated in the visit, which took them through the partial interior and cockpit. Boeing engineers and staff were on hand to explain and demonstrate many of the technological advancements in the super-efficient aircraft.

The Dreamliner's cockpit

Marion C. Blakey, AIA, takes the pilot's seat with Chief 787 Test Pilot Mike Carriker.

The trademark flexible carbon-fiber wings on the 787

The CoDel then visited the DoD corral, fanning out among the aircraft on display to get up close and personal with the U.S. military fleet. The senators had the chance to speak with each aircraft's flight crew, and in many instances went into  and learning about the U.S. fleet.

Senator Inhofe with the crew of the UH-Y1 Super Huey

Following the tours, the CoDel returned to the AIA chalet for lunch with the aircrew. Paying tribute to U.S. military aircraft and their aircrews are among the top reasons for the CoDel visit to Farnborough It was a special treat that the CoDel could meet with the crews before the show officially opens tomorrow.

Contact: patrick.carlson[at]aia-aerospace.org

Hello Beautiful

Boeings 787 Dreamliner just touched down at the Farnborough Airshow, its first international landing. The plane is heralded as one of the real highlights of this year's show, and I personally can't wait to get a look inside!

You can learn about the 787 preparing for the airshow on Boeing's Farnbrough site.