Kansas is uniquely positioned for this next era of aviation, supported by a skilled workforce, leading universities and research centers, robust manufacturing capabilities, and established infrastructure. These institutions, together with community colleges, are preparing future industry leaders and building a strong talent pipeline.
Air Capital of the World
$7 billion
contribution to KS GDP
$2.25 billion
in annual aerospace exports
#3
largest concentration of aviation workers in U.S.
Now, more than 110 years since the first plane was built in Kansas, the state remains a vibrant hub for aviation manufacturing, delivering approximately one-third of all general aviation planes built in the U.S. Kansas manufacturers leverage low operating costs, a highly skilled workforce and world-class research institutions to design and build some of the most iconic planes in the world.
In fact, Wichita – the largest city in Kansas – is recognized globally as the Air Capital of the World. This designation is largely based on the city’s rich history in the early days of aviation and the concentration of aviation and defense research, development and manufacturing located there today.
Perhaps no other state in the country offers the breadth and depth of education and training as Kansas. Kansas education and research institutions are well-known as some of the best in the world, providing students with real-world expertise and employers with direct access to an ascending pipeline of talent.
The National Center for Aviation Training (NCAT) provides industry-driven training courses for the aviation manufacturing industry. NCAT gives students the opportunity to receive hands-on, real-world training in aviation manufacturing and aircraft and power plant mechanics.
Learn MoreThe National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) at Wichita State University is the largest applied aerospace research and development academic institution in the nation. NIAR provides research, design, testing, certification and training to industry, government agencies, educational entities and other clients. NIAR’s clients include Boeing, NASA, Spirit AeroSystems, the Federal Aviation Administration, Textron Aviation to name a few.
Learn MoreThe Innovation Campus brings together industry expertise and Wichita State University’s research, commercialization and education capabilities. Several companies have located operations on the campus and conducted research in partnership with university engineers and scientists. The largest of these is Airbus, whose engineering center is the company’s most significant outside of Europe, with approximately 200 employees.
Learn MoreAs one of the leading aviation universities in the country, Kansas State University Salina offers three instrument runways, labs, state-of-the-art flight training devices, an operational dispatch center, an aviation maintenance training hangar and a nationally recognized uncrewed aircraft systems program. Various micro-credentials, certificates and degrees are offered in aviation maintenance management, aviation management, professional pilot, and uncrewed aircraft systems.
Learn MoreThe University of Kansas, the state’s largest university, offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in in aerospace engineering. The program is undergoing a rapid expansion of students and faculty, as well as research investment. Core research strengths include unmanned aerial systems, computational fluid dynamics, composite and adaptive structures, and robotics and control.
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