07.16.12

Cantwell Announces Senate Hearing on Aviation Competitiveness

Industry leaders to discuss strategies for keeping U.S. the world’s leader in aviation, aerospace

SEATTLE, WA– Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced that she will be holding a Senate Aviation Subcommittee hearing on aviation competitiveness on Wednesday, July 18, in Washington, D.C. The announcement was made during a tour of Machinists, Inc., a precision machining company and Boeing supplier in Seattle.

Cantwell was joined on the tour by Jeff Tomson, Vice President of Marketing at Machinists, Inc. and Michael Greenwood, Senior Manager of Boeing Commercial Airplanes Manufacturing and Quality Workforce Management and Integration. Machinists, Inc. has been in business for more than 50 years and is the largest precision machining shop in the Northwest specializing in single components to complete manufacturing systems.

“Over the next 20 years, the aerospace industry is expected to grow by more than three trillion dollars,” said Cantwell. “I’m bringing together aviation and aerospace leaders to talk about what they think must be done for the U.S. to remain on top of these industries.”

The hearing will focus on the changing landscape of the world’s aviation and aerospace industries. While the U.S. industry and market for commercial aircraft, general aviation aircraft and airlines remains the world’s largest, the competitive landscape has shifted. The markets to sell aircraft are changing as the growing middle class in countries like China and India demands more air travel. And overseas aerospace and aviation companies are increasing challenging America’s dominance in the industries.

During the Wednesday hearing, Cantwell will hear testimony from:

  • Dr. John J. Tracy, Chief Technology Officer, Boeing
  • Stan Sorscher, SPEEA
  • Dan Elwell, Senior Vice President, Aerospace Industries Association
  • Nick Calio, President and CEO, Airlines for America
  • Pete Bunce, President and CEO, General Aviation Manufacturers Association

Please note the hearing will be webcast live via the Senate Commerce Committee website.  Refresh the Commerce Committee homepage 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time to automatically begin streaming the webcast. Details about the hearing are below.

The Global Competitiveness of the U.S. Aviation Industry: Addressing Competition Issues to Maintain U.S. Leadership in the Aerospace Market

Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee Hearing

  • Date: Wednesday, July 18, 2012
  • Hearing Start Time: 3:00 p.m.
  • Location: Room 253, Russell Senate Office Building

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