Aerospace Transforms Healthcare in Vermont

Aerospace Transforms Healthcare in Vermont
By Brian Dubie, Chair of the Vermont Aerospace and Aviation Association
Vermont may be a state small in size, but we take great pride in knowing that we are the largest producer of Maple Syrup of all the fifty states, and that we are the 14th largest dairy-producing state.

Many Vermonters would be surprised to know that Vermont also ranks 14th in the nation as an aerospace cluster, according to a new study being released this month by Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and Embry-Riddle University. Caledonia County companies like Mobile Medical and Franklin County companies like Superior Technical Ceramics and Liquid Measurement Systems contribute to our high ranking, along with other Vermont companies, such as Mansfield Heliflight, Aviatron, General Electric, Goodrich, GS Precision and Vermont Composites and many more.

We founded the Vermont Aerospace and Aviation Association (VAAA) in 2006 to encourage the growth of good jobs in aerospace and to encourage young people to study STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) subjects that lead to satisfying careers here in Vermont. Senator Patrick Leahy serves as our honorary Co-Chair, and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce provides administrative support for VAAA.

We will hold our third quarterly VAAA Event of 2011 on Tuesday, August 30th from 3 to 5:30 at Heritage Aviation at Burlington International Airport. This event will highlight the joining of two major industries, healthcare and aerospace, in Mobile Medical International Corporation’s (MMIC) and ORBIS International’s Flying Eye Hospital. We will also introduce the winning Vermont Real World Design Challenge Team, which placed 4th in this year’s national competition. Senator Patrick Leahy and the Secretary of Commerce for the State of Vermont are both on the program to speak.

MMIC of St. Johnsbury and ORBIS have entered into a multi-year development and manufacturing agreement for the configuration of ORBIS' third generation Flying Eye Hospital. This amazing aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD 10 Series 30 Freighter, will ensure that ORBIS can continue to provide state-of-the-art ophthalmic training and surgery to those most in need across the globe.

MMIC is a leader in the design and build of next generation, rapidly deployable, modular health service delivery systems. MMIC’s team of 50 Vermonters is carving out a new humanitarian role for aerospace, helping remote and underserved people around the globe gain access to health services. MMIC’s modular hospital systems were a great asset to our National Guard soldiers that were deployed to Afghanistan.

VAAA will also introduce Vermont’s winning Real World Design Challenge (RWDC) team. We were the first in the nation to launch the RWDC in 2008 while I served as Lt Governor. 35 states have now joined Vermont in this highly acclaimed national competition. Our goal is to give students a hands-on experience with a real-world technical challenge, using and developing their skills in science, technology, engineering, and math and giving them the keys to rewarding and satisfying careers. The Vermont 2011 RWDC Team, from South Burlington High School, recently returned from Washington D.C where they presented their final design of the main wing and tail assemblies for a Boeing 737-800 jet to the judges, who “all agreed that their presentation was the best at the competition.” The Vermont team finished fourth in the nation and is looking to win the 2012 competition.

At our last VAAA meeting, we recognized Franklin County based Liquid Measurement Systems (LMS) -- a great example of a growing Vermont manufacturer that has current and future needs to hire a STEM-skilled and educated workforce. LMS uses technology originally developed for the Apollo Space program that was reengineered to help detect and clean up polluted ground water. The same technology now provides the safest and most reliable fuel measurement and management systems for the aerospace industry in the world. LMS and other Vermont aerospace companies rely on Vermont's universities and colleges for students with engineering and science skills for the 21st century.

Don't miss the opportunity to meet more companies like LMS at the August 30 VAAA Event. It’s open to the public. You’ll be able to tour the Flying Eye Hospital, and talk with members of the MMIC-ORBIS team, leaders in Vermont's healthcare industry, and Vermont state and federal government officials, including Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy.

What: VAAA Event and Flying Eye Hospital Visit
Date: Tuesday, August 30th, 2011
Time: 3 – 5:30 p.m.
Place: Heritage Aviation, 228 Aviation Ave, S. Burlington, VT, Burlington International Airport
Contact: Chris Carrigan at ccarrigan@vtchamber.com