New center to support Florida's aerospace future

November 21, 2008
Dave Hodges

University, government and industry officials on Thursday officially launched the Florida Center for Advanced Aero-Propulsion, a technical, research and academic consortium that will help shape the future of the state's aerospace industry.

Based in Tallahassee, the center is a collaboration of the state's premier researchers in the fields of aerospace and aviation. Florida State University, the center's lead university, is working with the University Florida, the University of Central Florida and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to give university-produced innovations a push toward commercial viability.

"Your center has the potential to make a dynamic impact here in the state of Florida in terms of our industrial base," Kirby Kemper, FSU vice president for research, told the gathering of engineers, scientists and aerospace company leaders at the FSU Alumni Center.

The timing of the launch is made even more important because NASA's space shuttle program is scheduled to end in 2010 and the industry is looking at what systems and products will carry it into the next decade and beyond in Florida.

"We are all equal partners and we have very lively teleconference sessions when we discuss these issues," said FCAPP Director Farrukh S. Alvi, professor of mechanical engineering at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and director of the college's Advanced Aero-Propulsion Laboratories. Everyone, however, "is headed in the same direction," he added.

The state ranks third nationally in aerospace employment and has 83,000 highly skilled workers employed in the manufacturing of aircraft and engine parts. Alvi noted in his presentation that these workers have an average annual income of $53,000 — one of the highest in Florida.

Florida's aerospace industry brings $9 billion a year worth of business to Florida. However, there is an outflow of $7 billion a year, as well, Kemper said.

"One of the hopes that I have for FCAAP is that we can capture some of this outflow. It doesn't take much of a capture, when you talk about $7 billion, to make a huge economic impact," he said.

FCAAP will be an originator and incubator for new technologies to meet the needs of the industry. It has the support of various leading aerospace and aviation companies, and will rely on the FCAAP Industry Advisory Board for guidance.

Board members include representatives from Boeing, NASA, Lockheed Martin and Siemens Energy.

In a later conversation, James W. Sturges, director of mission assurance, corporate engineering and technology at Lockheed Martin Corp., said he sees several benefits from his company's involvement in the center.

"The most immediate purpose is to be able to use the products and technology that come out of it in our products. Secondarily, to have this kind of research background available for when we stumble on something and we need help, we can go and ask questions and get answers," Sturges said.

The center's efforts will also be directed toward enhancing the state's aerospace education and training programs, creating the professional talent and workforce necessary to support the industry. FSU's Julie Harrington will direct the FCAAP Innovation and Economic Opportunities Office, a branch devoted to technology transfer and marketing, course development, public policy, and student and public outreach.

The center will be housed in a new research center of 40,000 square feet at a site in Innovation Park. Alvi said construction will begin in 2009, but there are research projects that have already begun at the various universities.

The center was launched with $13.5 million in seed funding from the state. Additional funding has come from various grants.

Long term, Alvi said FCAAP's sustainability will depend on its support from industry partners, government, the local business community and other research entities. "And I hope they will realize that we have a lot to offer here," he added.

To read more visit our source at http://tallahassee.com/article/20081121/BUSINESS/811210333.