US Airways - July 2012 - (Page 61)

inence in 1998 when FedEx selected PTI as the location for a $240 million air cargo sorting hub, its eighth nationally and ﬁrst in the Southeast. To accommodate FedEx and its anticipated economic impact, the airport added an all-important parallel runway. The state also upgraded the surrounding road network so that it ties in with Interstates 40, 85, 73, and 74. In recent years, Honda Aircraft has taken the region to a new level. One of the crown jewels of the aviation cluster arrived quietly in 2000 when Honda Aircraft decided to make Greensboro and PTI its home to design a new kind of private jet, one that would be lighter, faster, and more fuel efﬁcient. By 2006, it established its world headquarters at the airport and began to set up manufacturing operations for the $4.5 million seven-seat HondaJet. “When you talk to the Honda folks about why they selected the Piedmont Triad airport, one of the reasons they give is the FedEx hub,” says Henry Isaacson, chairman of the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority. The plane’s engines are being built by a subsidiary, Honda Aero, some 30 miles to the east in Burlington. HondaJet recently chose PTI as the site of an $80 million maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility. In all, more than 1,000 new jobs are being created. “Honda’s decision to expand its facility here validates the strength and vitality of our aviation cluster. This is the outcome we anticipated when we landed the Honda project,” says Dan Lynch, president of the Greensboro Economic Development Alliance. “Staying focused on growing our aviation cluster is a major priority.” Then there’s the growing list of suppliers and aviation-support services in the region, such as: Purolator Facet in Greensboro, which makes advanced ﬁltration systems; Machine Specialties outside Greensboro, which mills precision parts like landing gear; Bridgestone Aircraft Tire in Rockingham County; Triumph Actuation Systems in Clemmons, which designs and makes aircraft components and systems; New Breed in High Point, which provides aerospace logistics; Landmark Aviation in Greensboro and Winston-Salem, a charter jet service; and Atlantic Aero, an MRO with engineering and manufacturing capability. We’re making engines. We’re designing and making interiors. We’re servicing planes of all sizes. We do ﬂight training. When you put it all together, it’s quite impressive. — FORMER B/E PRESIDENT MICHAEL BAUGHAN “Success in aviation really is about being located where companies are distinguishing themselves and providing good value,” says Chris Doan, CEO of Team SAI Consulting, a Denver-based aviation consulting ﬁrm. “And the aviation companies in the Piedmont Triad have that reputation.” Michael Baughan, the former president of B/E Aerospace who retired last year, took this Winston-Salem operation from 250 people to 1,100 during his 14 years at the helm. Of the Piedmont Triad, he says, “There were no obstacles to our growth here.” Baughan also witnessed — and leveraged — the expansion of a diversiﬁed aviation and aerospace cluster. “We’re making planes here now,” he says. “We’re making engines. We’re designing and making interiors. We’re servicing planes of all sizes. We do ﬂight training. When you put it all together, it’s quite impressive. And there’s a lot of room for growth.” NC A&T Systems Engineering program usairwaysmag.com JULY 2012 61 http://www.usairwaysmag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of US Airways - July 2012

US Airways - July 2012
Table of Contents
CEO Letter
From the Editor
Did You Know?
Making It Happen
Hot Spots: Best Beaches
Wine & Dine: Table to Farm
Adventure: Home-Court Advantage
Great Escapes: Mayan Adventure
Destination Fabulous
Gear Up: Activate!
London Calling
Room with a View
Chefs Tell: Water's Edge
Charlotte in 2012
Best of Health
Flying High in North Carolina
Charlotte U.S.A.: From Crackers to Gelato
University Spotlight: Grand Canyon University
Must Read: Better, Stronger, Faster
Puzzles
Readers Resource Index
Your US Airways Guide
Video Entertainment
Audio Entertainment
U.S. and Caribbean Service Map
International Service Map
Airport Terminal Maps
US Airways Fleet/Customs & Immigration
Passenger Info/Contact US Airways
US Airways MarketPlace™
Window or Aisle?

US Airways - July 2012