WTF # 2

I turned on ABC News last night to see what the most current situation was with the helicopter contract. As some of you know Sikorsky (Stratford based) and Lockheed Martin (based in Maryland but contracts out to other nations) have been competing to win the new presidential helicopter contract. Sikorsky has one of the finest made aircrafts in the world. They are all American made, and hand made at times. The pride that goes into their aircrafts is simply heart warming.

Well last tonight it's been learned that the Navy and Defense department chose Lockheed Martin. I can’t express my anger and frustration enough. First off, my grandfather is a retired pilot and before that a crew chief and engineer who had worked feverishly on this aircraft in the beginning stages and first production. Up until 2002 (1999 to 2003 as a part time employee), he helped design and test the S-92, which I have seen in flight and been given a tour in. It looked amazing. It had become the wave of the future for the new and upcoming hopeful fleet. The VH-92 was the model for president’s version of the 92. Sikorsky had taken what was once engineering and test flight operations section of the plant and turned it into a DMC (Designated Manufacturing Center) for the presidential helicopter. Everyone had high hopes for the aircraft.

Today is one of sadness for the company, myself and my grandfather included. We are disappointed in the choice that President Bush in fact had a large influence on. The thought and reason might be that Bush is a republican and this is a democratic state. He was also pressured into the European version because his two closest allies England and Italy would benefit from the contract.

This will create big problems for Sikorsky, including layoffs. Fortunately it will not close its doors from this catastrophe. The UH-60 Black Hawk and the Sea Hawk create many many jobs for the company. It is my hope that the president and defense department see there mistake in non-American made parts.

An American president should fly in only American made aircrafts. in the long run it is just statistically and logically safer to go with home made products.