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U.S. Aerospace Shines at Paris Air Show

U.S. aerospace manufacturers made headlines with cutting-edge technology and multi-billion dollar deals announced at the 2011 Paris Air Show. Once again AIA had an extremely active and productive show, organizing a number of high-level events and coordinating the U.S. Defense Department Operations Center.

Highlights of the air show include:

Bill Lynn talks export controls and industrial base

Deputy Secretary of Defense Bill Lynn underlined the importance of modernizing the outdated export control process and the gravity of preserving U.S. industrial base capabilities at a VIP event hosted by AIA. The exclusive reception and dinner brought together executives of aerospace manufacturers, the Congressional Delegation and officials from the departments of Commerce, Defense, State, Transportation and NASA.

European and U.S. CEOs discuss joint approach to environment and other key issues

Industry leaders from AIA and the Aerospace and Defence Industries Association of Europe reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate on a wide variety of issues during an annual meeting at the show. James F. Albaugh, Chairman of the Board of Governors of AIA and President and Chief Executive Officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes said, “We’ve made remarkable progress on sustainable aviation biofuels and we’re working with regulators on a first-ever CO2 efficiency standard for new production aircraft.” CEOs from both sides of the Atlantic also discussed air traffic management interoperability, volcanic ash and a joint position sustaining the defense industrial base.

U.S. students take top prize in rocketry challenge

Ending the show on a high note, the United States emerged victorious from a three-nation rocket fly-off. Top students the United States, UK and France came to Paris for a final launch to determine which nation would take the global crown. The four-member team from Rockwall-Heath High School in Heath, Tex., took home the top prize with a nearly-perfect launch, returning their raw egg payload unbroken from a height of 745 feet and a flight duration of 43 seconds.

To get the full scoop and more pictures from the 2011 Paris Air Show, visit AIA’s Air Show Blog.

AIA Source: patrick.carlson[at]aia-aerospace.org