Orlando – The world’s premier aviation training organization, FlightSafety International, will significantly expand its Wichita presence. The company announced plans for new buildings and expanded existing facilities at the National Business Aviation Association Annual Meeting and Convention in Orlando.

FlightSafety International expects to add up to 250 additional jobs in the area and expand its five facilities by at least 200,000 square feet. Current employment for FlightSafety International in the Wichita area is more than 450 employees.

“This significant investment in people and facilities is based on the needs and requirements of our customers,” said Bruce Whitman, President & CEO, FlightSafety International. “We appreciate the support of the State of Kansas and the Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition, and are proud to be an integral part of the Wichita aviation community since 1971.”

Kansas Department of Commerce Secretary David Kerr said, “It’s always exciting when a leading aviation company like FlightSafety International chooses to expand its operations in Kansas. We appreciate FlightSafety International’s continued commitment to our state and our workers, and we look forward to working with the company for years to come.”

The expansion will include a new 85,000 square foot facility on Hoover Road to increase the company’s existing support of Cessna currently offered at 1951 Airport Road and 1851 Airport Road. FlightSafety’s Cessna Maintenance Training Center located at 1962 Midfield Road will be replaced by a new facility. FlightSafety will also build a new Hawker Beechcraft Aircraft Maintenance Training Center on Greenwich Road in addition to expanding the Hawker Beechcraft Pilot Center at 9720 East Central Avenue. The company’s Learjet Training Center located at Two Learjet Way will also be expanded.

“FlightSafety is a world leader in the aviation industry and this announcement shows its commitment to its customers and long-term growth in Wichita,” said Sedgwick County Chairman Tom Winters. “In this case, FlightSafety chose to expand in Wichita since many pilots and technicians recognize and appreciate the advantages of training in proximity to our world class business jet manufacturers.”

More than 75,000 pilots, technicians and other aviation professionals train at FlightSafety facilities throughout the world each year. The company also designs and manufactures full flight simulators for civil and military aircraft programs and operates the world’s largest fleet of advanced full flight simulators at 40 training locations worldwide.

“We thank this great aviation company for their investment in our community,” said Mayor Carl Brewer. “Wichita is the ‘Air Capital of the World’ and FlightSafety trains today’s aviation professionals. The economic impact of this announcement has an added bonus beyond the significant capital growth and jobs because of the number of visiting pilots who train here in Wichita.”

Last year more than 12,000 pilots and other professionals trained in Wichita at FlightSafety facilities, for an average of 230 people per week. According to company officials, that number could double with this expansion. When pilots come to Wichita to train at FlightSafety facilities, a typical stay of one to two weeks per training session has a significant economic impact on the hotel and restaurant industry.

Bruce Whitman, President & CEO of FlightSafety International and representatives from the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition (GWEDC) made the joint announcement at NBAA.

The Department of Commerce and GWEDC, working closely with the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County, negotiated a package of incentives to secure the capital investment and additional jobs for Wichita and Kansas. State incentives include IMPACT funds and tax credits.

The Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition is the regional public/private partnership managed by the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce and charged with creating and executing the region’s business recruitment, retention and expansion plans.

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