Topeka — Legislators are hearing pleas from the aviation industry to invest in additional research facilities at Wichita State University.
At stake is the ability of Boeing Co.'s commercial aviation division in Wichita to land production work on the company's new Sonic Cruiser, which would likely stabilize its Wichita work force for several years.
Boeing representatives told legislative leaders Wednesday that a four-year, $20 million commitment from the state to expand Wichita State's National Institute for Aviation Research was vital to the industry's growth in the community.
Research work on the airplane, still early in development, will begin almost immediately, said Bill Jarrell, Boeing director of government relations.
"We're out of the running without this research," Jarrell said.
The request is separate from the $115 million bond package that legislators are considering for research centers at Kansas University, Kansas State University and Wichita State.
Wichita State would get $10 million in bonds for an engineering building for aviation research equipment. Sen. Rip Gooch, D-Wichita, said Boeing's request might be difficult to pass unless it were paired with the bond package.
Gov. Bill Graves supports the bond package but is worried about the state's budget problems will affect the proposed centers' operating budgets.
Bob Waner, Boeing director of engineering, said the Sonic Cruiser would fly at altitudes of 40,000 to 50,000 feet and up to 20 percent faster than current airliners. The plane would seat up to 250 passengers and go into service sometime after 2007.
Waner said an investment at Wichita State would help Boeing Wichita secure production work on the fuselage, engine struts and engine housing.
Key to landing the work is construction of an icing tunnel, Jarrell said, to let engineers test how the plane responds to icing, in addition to other upgrades to WSU's aviation laboratory testing facilities.
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