There are number of exceptional organizations that support aviation and aerospace manufacturers. Many come to mind quickly, the Aerospace Industries Association, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers are but a few. There are regional and local ones as well, including the public-private Manufacturing Extension Partnership. All of these organizations are generally well know. However, there is one that is a gem of a national resource for aviation and aerospace that [...]

Over two years ago, I got a phone call one afternoon from Dr. Robert Materna. He asked me if I wanted to be involved in something exciting. Knowing Robert as a serious person, I took him at his word and heard him out. Robert laid out an ambitious vision – of an organization dedicated to enhancing and building the competitive advantage of US aviation and aerospace on a global basis. The instrument would be an [...]