Executives ask Congress to help U.S. planemakers stay competitive
The general aviation industry is healthy and growing, but it faces competitive threats from every direction -- from Europe, Russia, Brazil and Asia, Cessna Aircraft's top executive said Wednesday.
"We still maintain the advantage, but the gap is closing," said Cessna chief executive Jack Pelton.
Pelton and other leaders from Wichita's aviation industry testified before members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee on aviation.
The hearing, led by Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., and hosted by Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Goddard, was held Wednesday at Wichita State University. Reps. Jerry Moran, R-Hays, and Vern Ehlers, R-Mich., members of the subcommittee, also attended.
While it's doing all it can to face external threats, the industry also faces internal ones "over which we have little control," Pelton said.
One of the biggest is the issue of getting federal certification to bring new aircraft and new products to the marketplace, Pelton said.
"Certification has now become a risk and threatens our business plan," Pelton said.
The Federal Aviation Administration is underfunded and not staffed to the level needed by the aviation industry. That means delays in getting new products to market, Pelton said.
Wichita Eagle
The general aviation industry is healthy and growing, but it faces competitive threats from every direction -- from Europe, Russia, Brazil and Asia, Cessna Aircraft's top executive said Wednesday.
"We still maintain the advantage, but the gap is closing," said Cessna chief executive Jack Pelton.
Pelton and other leaders from Wichita's aviation industry testified before members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee on aviation.
The hearing, led by Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., and hosted by Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Goddard, was held Wednesday at Wichita State University. Reps. Jerry Moran, R-Hays, and Vern Ehlers, R-Mich., members of the subcommittee, also attended.
While it's doing all it can to face external threats, the industry also faces internal ones "over which we have little control," Pelton said.
One of the biggest is the issue of getting federal certification to bring new aircraft and new products to the marketplace, Pelton said.
"Certification has now become a risk and threatens our business plan," Pelton said.
The Federal Aviation Administration is underfunded and not staffed to the level needed by the aviation industry. That means delays in getting new products to market, Pelton said.
Wichita Eagle
