JAXUSA Delegates Represent Region at Largest Aviation Show
A local delegation, including Jacksonville Aviation Authority CEO Steve Grossman, JAX Chamber Chair-elect Audrey Moran, Haskell SVP of Manufacturing and Technology Paul Raudenbush, Haskell Director of Business Development Lynn Huff, JAX Chamber President Daniel Davis, JAXUSA President Jerry Mallot and myself, recently attended the 51st International Paris Air Show to meet with aviation and aerospace companies that have an interest in the Jacksonville region.
The Paris Air Show, one of the largest and most prestigious international aviation shows with more than 351,000 visitors and 4,300 accredited journalists, had over 2,300 exhibitors from 48 countries and more than $130 billion worth of orders announced.
Our team met with more than 20 global aviation and aerospace company representatives to promote Northeast Florida’s business-friendly climate, strong air and seaport infrastructure, large and well-qualified multicultural workforce and opportunities for economic development.
In addition, we met with Kaman Aerospace to discuss the opportunity to manufacture the K-MAX K-1200 helicopter here in Jacksonville. The K-MAX is is the world’s first helicopter specifically designed, tested and certified for repetitive external lift operations and vertical reference flight. This project would increase the manufacturing capacity for Kaman’s operations in Jacksonville and would be the second aircraft constructed here in the region.
Our team also discussed several new project possibilities, advanced other projects already in the works and began several discussions with new aviation company contacts that indicate there is growth potential for Jacksonville’s aircraft industry.
By: Aaron Bowman, Senior Vice President