The US Protects Industry; Mexico Strengthens Educational Offer

The US Department of Transportation announced a US$482.3 million funding for 313 companies affiliated to the Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Program (AMJP). Collins Aerospace introduced a new technology to sanitize airplane cabins. Meanwhile, Mexico is ready to showcase new market opportunities as FAMEX begins next week.

Buckle up! This is the Week in Aerospace!

Flight Simulators Allow Pilots to Stay Prepared

With the industry falling apart during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, flight simulators allowed Mexican pilots to remain prepared for the reopening of flight routes, as several airlines continue to invest heavily on the best equipment to train their employees.

The Higher Education Offer for the Aerospace Sector

Expert Contributor Jorge Gutierrez de Velasco, Rector of the Aeronautical University in Queretaro, wrote in MBN about the 31 higher education institutions that joined forces to develop the Strategic Aeronautical and Space Agenda of Higher Education Institutions 2030.

“The map of educational institutions that offer aerospace programs consists of 38 private and public universities, technological institutes, schools and training centers, located in 14 states, with a majority concentration (75 percent) is in the northwest and central regions.

The states with the most campuses are: State of Mexico, with eight campuses, followed by Sonora with seven,” wrote Gutierrez de Velasco.

Mexico Ready to Showcase New Space Investments

Mexico stepped up its efforts to become an important actor in the space industry with the acquisition of two new satellites that will be showcased at next week’s FAMEX. The satellites were acquired thanks in part to efforts from FEMIA, said authorities.

Salvador Landeros Ayala, General Director of the AEM, announced that “The confidence of the national industry in our country’s space sector is increasing and now with two more powerful satellites, GEOSAT-1 and GEOSAT-2, the space development and capacities of our country will be strengthened.”

Collins Introduces Tech to Sanitize Airplane Cabins: Lilac-UV

Following the COVID-19 pandemic outbreaks across the world, Collins Aerospace introduced a new technology that aims to speed up cabin sanitation and make air travel easier. The company announced through a press release, the Lilac-UV technology “emits a slight violet light that disinfects surfaces in seconds to minutes, depending on lamp configuration and specific pathogen.” The technology can be used by flight crews to speedily sanitize airplane lavatories, galleys, cabins and decks.

Mexican SMEs not Ready for Aerospace Challenge

Expert Contributor Alberto Robles, Latam Strategic Supply Chain Manager at General Electric Infrastructure Queretaro, wrote in MBN about the aerospace industry supply chain development in Mexico. “OEMs and Tier-1s are usually the big companies that concentrate most of the purchasing power. Additionally, big companies set the industry standards and they also foster most of the innovations that eventually become trends,” wrote Robles.

While SMEs are the main source of formal employment and “the core of industrial muscle” in Mexico, they are not quite ready for the aerospace industry challenge. “They need help and support from the government and academia but mainly from the OEMs and Tier-1s. Nobody is in a better position to influence the development of our supply chain than the big companies, especially companies that participate in more than one industry or business segment,” wrote Robles.

The US to Prevent Jobs Loss in its Aerospace Industry

The US Department of Transportation confirmed financial support for 313 businesses affiliated to the jobs-saving program AMJP. The companies will receive a total of US$482.3 million in funding. “For the past year and a half, our aviation industry workers have helped keep this economy moving, including by supporting the delivery of lifesaving medical equipment and vaccines,” said Pete Buttigieg, US Transportation Minister.