“From small rural airports to turbine manufacturers, aviation touches every corner of our state and country. It connects communities and businesses and employs hard-working people,” said Senator Cantwell. “We must keep investing in airport transportation infrastructure to help our economy grow, support local business, and create more jobs.”
Washington is a leader in aerospace manufacturing and aerospace jobs. With more than 132,000 workers and 1,350 aerospace-related companies, aerospace is a key economic driver for the state. Cantwell has been a tireless defender of the aerospace industry and airline passengers in Washington state, fighting to ensure rural airports have the resources they need, passengers are treated fairly, and the state’s manufacturers can compete and win on the world stage.
Among other provisions, the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2017 promotes:
CONSUMER PROTECTION & AIR TRAVEL ENHANCEMENTS – Includes new consumer protections for the flying public, updates Department of Transportation (DOT) rules following high-profile airline incidents, and takes steps to help passengers needing assistance during air travel.
DRONE SAFETY & INNOVATION – Addresses safety and privacy issues, criminalizes reckless drone behavior around manned aircraft and runways, authorizes FAA drone registration authority, and boosts enforcement while creating new opportunities for testing and promoting innovative uses.
AIRLINE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS & AVIATION ACCESS – Includes new requirements on the bulk transfer of lithium batteries, improves communicable disease preparedness, and supports contract air traffic control towers, which largely serve rural communities.
GENERAL AVIATION (GA) SAFETY & PROTECTIONS – Offers GA airports more flexibility to facilitate infrastructure investment, applies the same medical certificate requirements to air balloon operators as other licensed pilots, and expands the rights of pilots in FAA enforcement proceedings.
AIRCRAFT CERTIFICATION REFORMS – Improves international competitiveness of U.S. aerospace manufacturing by improving the FAA’s processes for certifying aircraft designs and modifications, as well as ensuring the benefits of such certification processes for manufacturers competing in global markets.
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL & NEXTGEN – Acts on recommendations of independent government watchdogs for improving the FAA’s transition to 21st century air traffic control technologies known collectively as “NextGen” and requires the FAA to assess how each NextGen program contributes to a more safe and efficient air traffic control system and its current implementation status.
INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT & STUDY – Increases authorized funding for the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which pays for infrastructure like runways, by $400 million to an annual level of $3.75 billion (well within the projected trust fund surplus), and streamlines the application process for Passenger Facility Charges (PFC). Requires a study and recommendations on upgrading and restoring the nation’s airport infrastructure.
Cantwell also introduced the Safe Skies Act today. The legislation, offered by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Al Franken (D-MN), would ensure that America’s cargo plane pilots are sufficiently rested and alert before they fly.
Source: Sen. Cantwell webpage: https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-cantwell-introduces-bill-to-promote-consumer-protection-airport-safety-and-aerospace-innovation
State companies enter deals, key relationships at Paris Air Show
Nearly 300 meetings yield new contracts, propel business dealings, attract investment for state’s aerospace and commercial space industriesOLYMPIA, WA – Company executives participating in the 2017 International Paris Air Show this week as part of a “Choose Washington” trade delegation led by state Commerce Director Brian Bonlender and U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-01) report numerous successes as they close out business and head home from the huge biennial event in Le Bourget, France.
Gov. Jay Inslee would normally have led Commerce’s international trade and business development activities at the air show to highlight the importance of the global aerospace sector to Washington’s economy. Unable to attend this year due to unresolved state budget negotiations, Inslee requested that U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) stand in for him and co-lead the delegation with Commerce Director Bonlender.
“In Paris, Washington’s largest-ever delegation proved yet again that Washington state can compete and win on the biggest aerospace stage in the world,” said Congressman Larsen, the top-Ranking Democrat on the House Subcommittee on Aviation. “The resources, contracts, and connections our delegation is bringing back to Washington state will boost jobs and the economy in the Pacific Northwest. Thank you again to Governor Inslee for asking me to lead the Washington delegation, and congrats to everyone on a job well done.”
“It was an exceptional week for Washington State. The official delegation of 18 companies, six county economic development groups, and more than 65 delegates worked tirelessly in sweltering heat up to 14 hours a day to make deals, attract investment, and grow jobs in our state,” said Chris Green, Department of Commerce assistant director for economic development and competitiveness. “We were by far the best-represented state delegation at the biggest aerospace trade show in the world.”
Among the highlights reported out on the final day of business at the show:
One delegate established a procurement contact with Lockheed Martin on the first day of the show. They had been unsuccessful finding the right entry point over the past several months working from the United States.
Another delegate is very close to securing a $3 million deal with a major original equipment manufacturer (OEM) after speaking with several international suppliers who are involved in the project during the show.
An announcement by Germany’s Premium AEROTEC that they would be opening an office in the Seattle area accompanied the signing of a formal Memorandum of Understanding between the Washington State Department of Commerce and the State of Niedersachsen, by Commerce Director Brian Bonlender.
Commerce arranged six group procurement discussions for the delegation, including meetings with Boeing United Kingdom, Thyssenkrupp Aerospace (Germany), and Cobham UK, based in Dorset, England. Cobham, a Tier 1 supplier to all major OEMs, is known for innovative technology solutions for problems from deep space to depths of the ocean. They met with six Washington companies. One delegate called the discussion the most “fruitful” meeting of the show.
Commerce facilitated over 250 individual meetings for delegates, in addition to the group procurement meetings.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) was the focus of 40 meetings where Commerce staff reported more interest than ever this year in commercial space platforms for future investment strategies. Washington state is home to one of the world’s top emerging commercial space sectors.
Three standing-room-only business networking events hosted in the Choose Washington stand featured VIP speakers from Blue Origin, EMC2 (technology and advanced manufacturing cluster in Nantes, France) and Microsoft France.
One delegate had a drop-in meeting with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries that opened the door for a potential work package, saving the local company from making an additional trip to Japan this summer to explore this opportunity.
Speaking to value of the significant, state-led presence at the all-important Paris Air Show, several delegates noted the access to CEO-level decision makers with current and potential clients and buyers. Normally they would be in contact only with procurement representatives.
“This was the best Washington stand and management from Commerce at any show that Orion has joined in the past,” Tom Brosius, general manager of Orion Aerospace, a leader in manufacturing and precision metal fabrication for aerospace, defense, automotive and marine industries worldwide, and veteran of multiple Washington state trade show delegations.
“We had the best location in the U.S. Pavilion,” said Jim Davis, director of business development, Sagetech, makers of the world’s smallest aviation surveillance equipment.
“The stand presented Washington state very well,” said Charles Woods, director of business development, Westwood Manufacturing, specialists in precision machining, sheet metal assemblies, plastic thermoforming and kitted components for UAV, aerospace, defense, space and marine industries.
About 1,400 companies comprise Washington’s renowned aerospace industry supply chain, which serves Boeing, Airbus and every other major aircraft manufacturer in the world. More than 136,000 workers support the aerospace industry in Washington which is also a growing hub for space commercialization. Visit our website for a downloadable Delegate Directory and more information.---Source: WA Commerce Dept.
http://www.commerce.wa.gov/news-releases/growing-the-economy/state-companies-enter-deals-key-relationships-paris-air-show/
NEWS BUSTERS: CBS Only Offers Seconds on Johnny Depp Talking About Assassinating Trump
On Friday, while both NBC’s Today and ABC’s Good Morning America provided full reports on left-wing actor Johnny Depp joking about assassinating President Trump, CBS This Morning could only manage 45 seconds of air time out of its two-hour broadcast to mention the latest outrageous celebrity outburst.
See page 2 for more headlines, and meeting agendas for next week
