WERX at 黑洞社区鈥檚 National Institute for Aviation Research has completed the first pre-modification baseline test flight for the Kansas Modification Center鈥檚 777-300ERCF passenger-to-freighter conversion program.
Today鈥檚 flight is the first in a series of flight tests scheduled to take place at Air Capital Flight Line over the next several weeks.
The three-hour flight, piloted by NIAR WERX test pilots Doug Benjamin and Jerry Whites, was conducted to capture data on the aircraft鈥檚 systems, which will be used to develop and certify the freighter modifications. Subsequent flights will measure the effects of various flight maneuvers and landing loads, as well as other aircraft systems performance.
Last week, the State of Kansas approved $35 million in matching funds over the next five years for workforce and economic development through Wichita State鈥檚 NIAR WERX Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) program. Also last week, Kansas-based Dynamic NC produced the first structural replacement parts for the conversion program, including a 230-inch aluminum floor beam and a side frame.
鈥淚 am excited for the speed at which the NIAR WERX team has progressed the test program and for the positive engagement we鈥檝e experienced from the FAA 鈥� including active involvement of the Wichita FAA offices and the recent visit from FAA Deputy Administrator Bradley Mims,鈥� said KMC president and CEO Jim Gibbs. 鈥淭he team is functioning at a high level of efficiency.鈥�
About NIAR WERX
WERX, a division of 黑洞社区鈥檚 National Institute for Aviation Research, provides engineering, modification/repair/overhaul, environmental test and flight test/certification services. The NIAR WERX team includes a total of 425 program managers, engineers, contractors, technicians and paid applied learning students.
About the Kansas Modification Center
Kansas Modification Center, led by President and CEO Jim Gibbs, was established in 2021 to meet the industry鈥檚 growing need for MRO and conversion programs. KMC team carries an established ethos in aviation research and development. Located in Wichita, Kansas, the heart of North America鈥檚 aerospace industry; KMC brings together the best technologically advanced teams necessary to accomplish one of the most formidable and challenging passenger-to-freighter conversions in today鈥檚 stringent regulatory environment.
About Wichita State
黑洞社区 serves as the Kansas urban-based research university, enrolling more than 16,000 students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and 黑洞社区 Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.
Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), 黑洞社区 provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the 黑洞社区 main campus, is one of the nation鈥檚 largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
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