
June 18-24, 2007
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Leaders of top companies in the European aerospace and defense industry publicly backed plans to modernize the U.S. export control system, saying it was vital to boost security and trade between them and American companies.
The officials spoke during an annual meeting of top industry executives on both sides of the Atlantic known as the CEO Dialogue during the International Paris Air Show. The European leaders endorsed modernization efforts pushed by AIA and other members of the Coalition for Security and Competitiveness to improve the system.
William H. Swanson of Raytheon and Charles Edelstenne of Dassault Aviation led their respective groups during the dialogue. Also taking part were Thomas Enders of EADS and Åke Svensson of Saab Aerospace on the European side and Northrop Grumman's Ronald D. Sugar, Rockwell Collins' Clay Jones, and BAE Systems Inc.'s Walt Havenstein on the U.S. side.
The leaders also agreed that improving the ecological impact of aviation is an important goal for the global aerospace industry. Increased cooperation between the U.S. and Europe is vital to success. Future meetings are planned to coordinate plans and policy on the environment.

CEOs taking part in the meeting included (left side of table) Francois Gayets of Aerospace and Defense Industries Association of Europe, Charles Edelsteeene of Dassault Aviation, Thomas Enders of EADS (blocked), and Åke Svensson of Saab Aerospace, as well as (on the right side of table) Ronald Sugar of Northrop Grumman, William H. Swanson of Raytheon, Clay Jones of Rockwell Collins, and John Douglass of AIA. |
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William H. Swanson of Raytheon presents a bottle of California wine to Charles Eddelstenne of Dassault Aviation after the CEO dialogue, as Clay Jones of Rockwell Collins looks on. Swanson received a bottle of French wine in return.

NASA Assistant Administor for Aeronautics Lisa Porter looks over an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter in the DoD aircraft corral.
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AIA teamed up with the Confederation of Indian Industries for a reception and networking event at the International Paris Air Show, a sign of the growing relationship between that country and the United States in aerospace trade.
Officials with both groups expressed satisfaction with the event, which included participation from leaders from U.S. agencies like the Commerce Department and FAA.
India is considered an emerging market for American aerospace products and many companies have expressed interest in pursuing joint ventures and other types of relationships with Indian companies. AIA organized a trade mission to India late last year.
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AIA's John Douglass shakes hands with Nilendra Nigam of the firm Larsen and Toubro Ltd. during the U.S-India reception. Nigam is one of the Confederation of Indian Industry's defence and aerospace leaders.
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Monday, June 18, 2007
Several events marked the opening of the International Paris Air Show Monday, including the inauguration of a cluster of U.S. aerospace and defense businesses.
The attendance of several members of the U.S. congressional delegation, including president's representative Sen. Ted Stevens, highlighted the kickoff. Stevens, along with FAA Administrator Marion Blakey and U.S. Ambassador to France Craig Roberts Stapleton cut the ribbon on the U.S. Pavilion, which showcases American companies.
Additionally, AIA President and CEO John Douglass attended the official opening ceremony of the air show and lunched at an event featuring new French Prime Minister François Fillion. GIFAS, the French equivalent of AIA, hosted the event.


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An F/A-18EF Super Hornet maneuvers during a flying exhibition at the International Paris Air show. The Super Hornet and an F-16 Fighting Falcon were the two U.S. fighters performing at the show. |
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(From left) U.S. Ambassador to France Craig Roberts Stapleton, FAA Administrator Marion Blakey, Sen. Ted Stevens, and Sen. Barbara Mikulski cut the ribbon on the USA Pavilion at the International Paris Air Show.
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AIA hosted a roundtable discussion for small aerospace businesses and Commerce Department officials during the International Paris Air Show, highlighting the important role suppliers fill in the industry.
Acting Assistant Commerce Secretary for Manufacturing Jamie Estrada met with members of AIA's Suppliers Management Council, asking them what was and was not working in U.S. international trade policy.
The group talked about the importance of modernizing the export control system in the U.S. to keep up with the remarkably globalized aerospace industry. Small- and medium-sized companies are among those hit hardest by inefficiencies in rules governing defense trade with friends and allies.
SMC Chairman Vince Hrenick, vice president of supply chain at Raytheon, moderated the discussion.
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Pete Retalliata of AIA Supplier Management Council member Air Industries Machining Corp. talks to acting Assistant Commerce Secretary for Manufacturing Jamie Estrada during a discussion of small aerospace businesses at the AIA chalet.
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Sunday, June 17, 2007
AIA held its annual reception with Japanese aerospace industry officials Sunday as well as a dinner honoring the official representative of President Bush, Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska, and the other members of the Congressional Delegation.
AIA member company officials gathered with their counterparts in the Society of Japanese Aerospace Companies, an event that drew about 350 people.
Rockwell Collins Chairman, President, and CEO Clayton Jones represented the AIA Board of Governors in his role as vice chairman, while Mototsugu Ito, president of Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co. and SJAC chairman, represented that group.
In his address to the gathering, Jones said the U.S.-Japanese aerospace trade relationship was remarkably strong and had potential to become even better.
Stevens and four other senators were honored at the president's representative dinner, which included ranking officials from the Defense Department, NASA, the FAA, Commerce Department, and U.S. embassy.
The other senators were Tom Harkin of Iowa, Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, James Inhofe of Oklahoma, and Wayne Allard of Colorado.
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The aircraft of the Department of Defense corral at the Paris International Air Show sit under ominous skies.
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Saturday, June 16, 2007
A party of six U.S. senators arrived at the famed Le Bourget air field near Paris Saturday, getting an early start on seeing the sights at this year's premier international air show.
The group, led by Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska, made several stops on their Saturday morning tour, which came two days before the show opened to trade visitors. Stevens was designated the official representative of President Bush at the show.
Joining Stevens were Sens. Wayne Allard of Colorado, Tom Harkin of Iowa, James Inhofe of Oklahoma, Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, and Richard Shelby of Alabama.
The group toured the U.S. Defense Department aircraft corral, starting with the walk inside a cavernous Boeing C-17 Globemaster III. Boeing Integrated Defense Systems President and CEO James Albaugh personally showed the senators around the aircraft.
The delegation moved on to the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules, talking to several crew members from a Rhode Island Air National Guard unit. The tour included Boeing's F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-15E Strike Eagle, and F/A-18EF Super Hornet fighters, a General Atomics MQ1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle, and a Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter.
Next on the agenda was a look at the Bell-Boeing BA609 tilt rotor aircraft, then a tour of Raytheon's display of various electronic warfare and missile systems.

AIA's John Douglass and Sen. Jim Inhofe greet Boeing officials under the wing of the C-17 Globemaster III. |

Boeing Integrated Defense Systems President and CEO James Albaugh, center, and other Boeing and U.S. military representatives talk to Sen. Ted Stevens aboard the C-17 Globemaster III. |

John Douglass and Sen. Ted Stevens talk to pilots of an F/A-18EF Super Hornet. |

John Douglass and Sen. Ted Stevens walk into the back cargo area of a C-130 Hercules. |

Sen. Wayne Allard, AIA's John Douglass, Sen. Richard Shelby, and AIA's Mark Esper share laugh near an MQ1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle. |

AIA's John Douglass speaks with Sen. Richard Shelby. |

Sen. Barbara Mikulski learns about Raytheon products from a company representative. |

Sen. Richard Shelby with Ernest Jackson of Raytheon during the delegation's tour of the company's displays. |

Sen. Ted Stevens with the crew of a HH-60 Pave Hawk search and rescue helicopter. |
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John Douglass walks with Sen. Barbara Mikulski, Boeing's James Albaugh, and Sen. Ted Stevens under the engine of a C-17 Globemaster III.
Sen. Barbara Mikulski tries out a seat aboard a C-17 Globemaster III.
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