PROCESSING THE PANDEMIC

There’s at least a touch of irony in the Wichita Aero Club’s approach to “social distancing” as mandated by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Aero Club was formed as a networking organization designed to bring the aviation community together and build on the unity of purpose and professional focus in the local aviation community.  Now, we’re literally being forced to hang  together while being apart by the threat of grave illness.  But, that’s where the cohesive energy of the people and organizations that make up business and general aviation has become apparent.

Government-mandated “stay-at-home” and “shelter-in-place” directives have effectively shut down production and resulted in furloughs or terminations at manufacturing facilities and suppliers throughout the industry.  But, individuals and organizations are helping the fight the coronavirus outbreak by adapting and innovating.  In locations where airplane parts are usually fabricated, 3-D printing techniques are being used to produce much-needed ventilators.  

In  aerospace companies where other components are typically created, processes and machinery have been adapted to produce quantities of personal  protective equipment (PPE).

 Individual companies are also offering  their aircraft to transport product to hot zones where the virus is raging.  Even prominent aviation firms like Honeywell and Textron have geared up to make and deliver devices to aid in the diagnosis, care and protection of first responders, medical personnel and patients.  

 Textron’s Wichita-based airframers Beechcraft and Cessna airplanes this week donated 2,500 N95 face masks, as well as personal protection equipment—coverall suits, face shields, nitrile gloves, lab coats, and shoe covers—that will be used by medical providers and first responders in Kansas for the Covid-19 pandemic. Textron Aviation’s delivery brings its total donation of N95 masks to 7,500. It donated 5,000 of the masks last week.

The donations were delivered to Wichita State University, which is serving as a central repository for PPE donations and is coordinating with the Kansas Department of Emergency Management and regional donors for equitable distribution of the equipment. 

Beyond the local aviation community,  a perennial NFL powerhouse has also gotten into the act. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft sent the team’s plane to China to pick up more than a million masks for use by caregivers.

WAYPOINTS

In this period of unintended “house arrest,” the WAC will be offering anecdotes and comments on the situation and its effects on our industry.  We’ll be spotlighting positive—and maybe even humorous—aspects of what is an otherwise serious and challenging situation.  If you have some examples or insights, please share them with us at davefranson@mac.com and we’ll post them here. Until next time, stay safe, stay healthy and remember...this too, shall pass!

Written by Dave Franson