Aerospace Industry Propels Columbus Economy and Educational Opportunities
aerospace, business, economic development,
On a brisk day in early March, Columbus’ burgeoning aerospace industry got a glimpse of its future when a determined team of high school students gathered at Mississippi State University’s North Farm to launch model rockets.
With a goal of 750 feet and 45 seconds in the air, the home schooled students from the Starkville Christian Home Educators shot rockets into the sky using the same propellant that lifts the U.S. Space Shuttle. The exercise was in preparation for the Team America Rocketry Challenge, a national rocket flying competition designed to pique students’ interests in science and engineering. In 2008, the Columbus team, which is sponsored by local aerospace heavyweight Aurora Flight Sciences, placed sixth nationally, and two other Mississippi teams advanced to the national finals in Washington, D.C.
The flight-minded students represent the next generation of a mainstay industry for the Golden Triangle region. Aerospace is a driving force behind Columbus’ economy and educational institutions, providing an ever-growing pool of jobs and investment dollars in the community that boasts a U.S. Air Force Base. In October of 2004, for example, Columbus became home to one of aerospace’s biggest names, the American Eurocopter facility operated by EADS North America. Since opening its doors at the Golden Triangle Regional Airport, American Eurocopter has tripled in size and continues to grow as the aircraft manufacturer works to fulfill an order for 345 light utility helicopters placed by the U.S. Army in June 2006.
Production for the UH-72 Lakota is ramping up to three to four aircraft per month. When the 220,000-square-foot facility is fully operational, nearly 200 people will be employed by the program, roughly half the workforce of American Eurocopter in Columbus.
“This program has really put Columbus on the map as a global helicopter center of excellence,” says Guy Hicks, vice president of corporate communications for EADS North America.
“The army looks at this program as the example acquisition program in aviation. We look at the facility as an important element in our global helicopter capability, and it certainly is one of the world’s most state-of-the-art, technologically sophisticated production centers for rotary wing aircraft in the world.”
As the area’s aerospace companies grow, educational partners such as the Aerospace and Engineering Department at Mississippi State University provide a steady flow of trained workers to staff the facilities. Additionally, the university’s Raspet Laboratory serves as an incubator space for companies as they get on their feet. Established companies such as Aurora and the new jet fabrication plant General Electric is building north of Tupelo, Miss., spent their early days at the Raspet Lab.
“I think aerospace is somewhat of the future of the area,” says Gregory Stewart, director of development for Aurora. “In addition to there being a good industry base growing up, there’s also a good incubator, with the school providing a place for people to learn the industry and become trained to be engineers and fabricators.”
And that concern for the future of the industry is what brings Stewart out of the office and into the field, watching high school students launch rockets - much as he used to.
Matthew Berk, a junior on the rocket team Stewart advises, is already a veteran flier of rockets and gliders. He interned in fall 2008 at Aurora, and believes Columbus is a great spot to launch his career in aerospace.
“I hope to get a position in the industry, and right here in Columbus is really great,” Berk says.“There are several companies, and I think it’s brought more technical jobs into the area. I think it’s great.”
Aurora sponsors all manner of educational events, from rocket flying contests like TARC to robotics competitions. In fact, Stewart and John Langford, Aurora’s founder and president, met at a rocket flying competition in Middle School.
“It’s important to Aurora to help promote engineering and science disciplines among our youth,” Stewart says. “Plus I have a good time playing with the kids.”
Story by Michaela Jackson
