Fort Worth Area Aerospace and Defense Leaders

301st Fighter Wing Air Force Reserve

AMR/American Airlines

Bell Helicopter Textron

DynCorp International

Elbit Systems of America

ExxonMobil Aviation

Federal Aviation Administration SW Region

Goodrich Corporation

Leading Edge Aviation Services

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co.

Naval Air Station/Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth

Raytheon

RECARO Aircraft Seating Americas Inc.

Triumph Aerostructures – Vought Aircraft Division

Reaching new heights in travel and defenseFort Worth has played a significant role in the evolution of the global aviation and aerospace industry for over a century. The city’s support of aviation ventures, which dates to 1911, and a large military presence established during World War II produced a thriving industry that serves both the travel and defense markets.

Fort Worth companies are at the center of the aviation industry, from the latest defense aircraft to the next generation of commercial jet liners. The city is also home to hundreds of aviation-related suppliers who provide the major manufacturers with everything they need to get their aircraft off the ground, including full-service maintenance, parts, paint, aircraft seats, electrical equipment, software and training.

Making the world a safer place

Fort Worth’s role in the aviation and aerospace industry has soared since the World War II era with the establishment of Carswell Air Force Base. Today, the base is known as Naval Air Station/Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, and it continues serving as the headquarters for various units of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and the Texas Air National Guard.

The presence of the Naval Air Station, and the availability of retired military personnel available for employment, makes Fort Worth an attractive destination for aviation companies. Fort Worth’s most significant representatives of this sector are Lockheed Martin, American Airlines and Bell Helicopter Textron.

Aviation & AerospaceFort Worth

Bell Helicopter Textron AH-1Z Viper

Lockheed Martin F-35

Notable Facts:

•FortWorthishometoapproximately 10 percent of the nation’s total aerospace workers, and the North Texas region has the 3rd largest aviation-related employment base in the country.

•Thefirstnonstopflightaroundthe world originated in Fort Worth at Carswell Air Force Base (currently Naval Air Station/Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth) in 1948.

•AhangaratFortWorthMeacham International for Leading Edge Aviation Services, the undisputed aircraft painting partner of choice for America’s best-known airlines, is one of only a handful in the world capable of providing custom services for luxury aircraft, including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

In 1975, General Dynamics (now known as Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company) began manufacturing the F-16 from its Fort Worth location, and it will continue to produce this aircraft for the next decade. The company is currently manufacturing the F-35, which is part of the largest defense program in the nation’s history and will likely have a lifespan of 50 years. The company employs approximately 15,000 in Fort Worth, and the division reported $13.2 billion in sales in 2010.

Bell Helicopter Textron employs approximately 6,700 in the Fort Worth region. The company’s military aircraft, which include the OH-58 Kiowa Warrior, the V-22 Osprey and the AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter, provide the most advanced defense air transportation and weaponry.

Let’s fly away

The substantial regional presence of companies in the aerospace and aviation industry is further supported by several airports. Fort Worth is the headquarters of American Airlines, which has a significant presence at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport – the 4th busiest airport in the world serving over 57 million passengers annually.

Fort Worth Alliance Airport is the world’s first industrial airport. Alliance Airport is part of AllianceTexas, a 17,000-acre master-planned, mixed-use development in north Fort Worth. More then 240 air service companies have a presence at Alliance, including American Airlines, Bell Helicopter, Lockheed Martin and numerous aviation-related suppliers and manufacturers.

General aviation facilities in Fort Worth include Fort Worth Meacham International and Spinks Airport. Both airports offer full-service FBOs, flight schools and aviation maintenance facilities.

Workforce

The workforce in North Texas represents one of the most educated talent pools in the country. The region benefits from more than 60 colleges and universities, with a combined enrollment exceeding 325,000 students. There are more than 850,000 individuals with a bachelor’s degree and nearly 400,000 with a graduate or professional degree in the North Texas region.*

A large volume of military personnel with substantial expertise in defense programs, engineering and avionics also support the region’s aerospace workforce of over 22,000.

Critical to developing a skilled workforce, Tarrant County College offers specialized programs for FAA Airframe and Powerplant certification, as well as a certificate and degree program in avionics.

*Source: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, 2011

Aviation & Aerospace

For more information, contact:Fort Worth Chamber of CommerceP: 817.338.3392E: EcoDev@fortworthchamber.com

To find out more about why Fort Worth is a great place to live and work, visit www.fortworthchamber.com/eco/.

Fort Worth

Bell Helicopter Textron MV-22