Florida home to diverse breadth of aerospace innovation
“We’ve brought a big delegation in front of this important, targeted industry sector” explained TJ Villamil, president of international commerce at SelectFlorida, welcoming Aerospace Global News to the Florida Pavilion at the Farnborough International Airshow.
With 150 delegates representing some 19 manufacturers, 11 economic development organisations and “one of the best universities in this state,” he added: “Aviation, aerospace, military and defence, the space industry – it’s at our core here in Florida”.
Student Michael Rodriquez, who is currently studying uncrewed systems alongside active duty military service, concurred; praising world-renowned Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for not just the quality of its teaching but also its progressive attitude towards a good education / work life balance. “My future is set with Embry-Riddle,” he concluded, optimistically.
A diverse range of other companies were also represented at the Florida Pavilion, spanning the length of the state and a variety of specialities. From comparative newcomers such as AeroTools (established in 2010) to AIP Precision Machining (which has been in business 40 years), the technical knowledge and expertise on offer – including Century Fasteners Corporation, and Aero-Hose and ORKAL Industries – encompassed a wide selection of the state’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities.
ARC 145 – a manufacture and repair station specialising in navigation communication equipment – were also on hand to offer information about their new ELT battery repair procedure recently approved by the FAA.
Finally, TSS Solutions (which specialises in modernisation of terrestrial radars) highlighted the Air Force contract currently underway, with chief operating officer Gary Ambrose explaining how TSS Solutions can help create real value for operators. “The value proposition is, if somebody wants to buy a big radar, it’s about $40 million – we do that for about a third of the price,” he concluded.
