U.S. Ambassador’s Reception

The second full day of the Dubai Air Show closed with the U.S. Ambassador’s reception. U.S. Ambassador Michael Corbin thanked attendees for their commitment to the Middle East market and stressed the importance of international sales in building relationships with U.S. partners and allies. Over three hundred air show participants attended the reception. Special thanks to The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Raytheon for sponsoring the reception.

AIA lunch with SAF/IA

On Monday, November 14, AIA members had the opportunity to attend a lunch with Ms. Heidi Grant, Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs (SAF/IA). International markets are growing in importance to companies as the U.S. defense budget comes under pressure. A strong industry-SAF/IA relationship is critical to maintain productions lines and a strong industrial base. Ms. Grant remarked, "The relationship between U.S. government and industry is critical. A strong relationship allows the Air Force, with industry, to provide not just weapon systems, but aviation capability and capacity worldwide."

Ms. Grant’s outreach to industry is to be commended; in addition to meeting with countless AIA members during the show she also attended AIA’s International Council meeting two weeks ago in Charleston, South Carolina. AIA would like to thank Lockheed Martin who graciously hosted the lunch with Ms. Grant at their chalet.

AIA at the Dubai Air Show

For the fifth consecutive show the Aerospace Industries Association has a strong presence at the biannual Dubai Air Show. Seven U.S. aircraft, including this show's premeier of the MV-22, are on static along with a flying display proformed by the Air Force F-15 demo team. AIA continues to have an active presence at the air show and would like to thank our companies who are assisting in supporting our aircraft and troops on the ground. AIA has organized various events at the air show, including lunches with U.S. government representatives and the always popular U.S. Ambassador’s reception. The industry-government partnership is evident at air shows and this joint support and commitment for international security cooperation will be key as governments around the world re-evaluate their defense budgets.

American Students Win International Rocket Contest Fly-Off

Student rocketeers from France, the United Kingdom and the United States competed today in the Fourth Annual Transatlantic Rocketry Challenge.

The four-member team from Rockwall-Heath High School in Heath, Tex., posted the best score to win the international fly-off. Worksop College from Nottinghamshire, England placed second. Collège Léonard de Vinci-St Aubin from Bordeaux, France placed third.

The winning team poses with their trophy

“This has been terrific,” said team president John Easum. “We knew we had a great design and had calculated the variables, but until you shoot the rocket, you really can’t be sure. What a way to end our team experience with the Team America Rocketry Challenge.”

The international rocketry challenge is the culmination of three separate competitions: the Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC), UKAYRoC and the French Rocketry Challenge. Each contest brings together teams of middle and high school students to design, build and launch model rockets. This year the challenge was to launch a rocket that launched to exactly 750 feet during a 40- to 45-second flight. The payload, a raw egg, had to return to the ground by parachute undamaged. As part of their score, teams also had to give an eight minute presentation on their rocket design to a panel of international judges. The winning score represented a height of 745 feet and a duration of 43 seconds.

Sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association and the National Association of Rocketry in the U.S.; ADS, Tri Polus Ltd, Space Connections and the Royal Aeronautical Society in the UK; and GIFAS and Planéte Sciences in France, the programs are designed to encourage students to pursue careers in aerospace.

“We’re thrilled with the team’s success,” said Marion C. Blakey, president and CEO of AIA. “It’s quite a feat to make it to the national fly-off in the United States and now to have won the international challenge is quite impressive. We’re looking for this group of young people to help take this industry to new heights in a few years.”

Raytheon Company, a major event sponsor, has sent the TARC winning team to air shows at Farnborough and Paris for the past six years. The company is hosting all three teams as they tour the air show and Paris.

AIA created the Team America Rocketry Challenge in 2003 to celebrate the centennial of flight and to generate interest in aerospace careers among young people. The success of the program encouraged UK aerospace industry leaders to create the UKAYRoC in 2007 with similar goals in mind. France joined the international rocketry challenge at the 2010 International Airshow at Farnborough.

Members of the U.S. team from Rockwall-Heath High School are: John Easum, Landon Fisher, Michael Gerritsen and Colt McNally.

Members of the UK team Worksop College are: Cameron Bagley, Keith Lam, Jackie Lai, Ben May and Calum Semmence.

Members of the French team Ajsep are: Alexandre Dessaints, Gauthier Decultot and Marie Gruet.

More information about TARC, UKAYRoC and the French Rocketry Challenge is available at www.rocketcontest.org, www.ukay-roc.org.uk and http://www.planete-sciences.org/espace/-Rocketry-Challenge-.

Raytheon welcomes TARC winners to Paris; AIA praises air crew

The winning Team America Rocketry Challenge team from Heath, Tex. arrived in Paris Wednesday as they geared up for an international fly-off against the British and French champions Friday.

Officials from Raytheon – the company that sponsored the trip as part of TARC’s first prize – honored the students at a reception Thursday evening.

Raytheon’s Director of Community Relations John Clemons said, “AIA member companies and organizations represented here today are working hard to encourage students to stick with math and science. Raytheon is honored to be fully committed to this goal, through experiential programs that make math and science exciting.”

The team is facing off with the winners of the United Kingdom Aerospace Youth Rocketry Challenge and the French Rocketry Challenge. The UK is represented by a team from Worksop College from Nottinghamshire and the French are represented by Team Ajsep from Bordeaux

Teams from the U.S., UK and France assemble before the interntaional fly-off

The dinner was also to express AIA’s appreciation of the U.S. military air crews that take part in the show. AIA Director, International Events Sherry Epperson thanked the crews for their service in keeping our country safe and secure.

“It is you who are on the front lines ensuring our nation’s freedom and security,” Epperson said. “On behalf of AIA’s member companies, I want to salute you and thank you once again for all you do for your country.