Wichita flies.
In January of 1925, Lloyd Stearman, Walter Beech and Clyde Cessna founded the Travel Air Manufacturing Company which established Wichita as the "Air Capital of the World." Today, Wichita is home to Textron Aviation (Cessna and Beechcraft), Spirit AeroSystems, Bombardier Learjet and over 450 companies in the aerospace manufacturing supply chain which design and build general aviation, commercial and defense products.
That 100 years of experience has created an environment unsurpassed by any. Wichita’s location and supplier base Time and investment have created a network of suppliers as well as leaders in innovation and technology. We are home to the number one skilled work force in the United States and provide top tier education and training.
Textron Aviation
The City is home to Wichita State University's National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) which provides research, training and development of cutting edge technology for the aviation industry. WSU is the top university for industry-funded aeronautical research and development through NIAR.
The National Center for Aviation Training (NCAT) is a 224,000 square foot facility that provides aviation and advanced manufacturing training along with strong FAA involvement and support. The partnership joins Wichita State University's National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) and WSU Tech to provide workforce training opportunities for students in the aviation industry. Programs include aerospace coating and paint technology, aerospace manufacturing technology, aviation maintenance and technology (airframe and powerplant) and composite technology.
Key Benefits
- Decades of aircraft production has built a comprehensive network of over 450 precision machine shops, tool and die shops, and other aerospace subcontract manufacturers.
- Eighteen Boeing-certified gold and silver suppliers exist within a 200-mile radius. These local companies feed the global aviation and manufacturing supply chain around the world.
