Invitation Planned For A Meeting Held Tuesday

Machinists union president Tom Buffenbarger said he planned to invite President Barack Obama to come to Wichita and see first hand what business aviation contributes to the U.S. economy when they met on Tuesday. The meeting was scheduled during Obama's appearance at the annual AFL-CIO meeting this week in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

"My few moments with him are going to be about this industry," Buffenbarger told the Wichita Eagle Monday from the convention. "Wichita is the aviation center of the universe."

Members of the machinists union have been working with other aviation trade groups and local elected officials to try to convince the President to experience first hand how the aviation industry impacts the U.S. economy and national defense. Buffenbarger said he hoped Obama would say a few positive words about the benefits of business aviation, after the industry took such a beating at the hands of congress following federal bailout hearings. "Just maybe an encouraging word may be enough to stop the slide we're in or slow it down and... maybe help it get to a rebound a little quicker," he said.

Hawker Beechcraft, Cessna Aircraft and Bombardier Learjet have cut production as customers canceled or deferred orders. Collectively, they have laid off more than 12,000 people since November, which has boosted unemployment in the city to almost 10 percent.

President Barack Obama

President Obama visited Elkhart, Indiana to talk about the importance of the RV industry to the region, and the nation. Wichita leaders are hopeful he'll do the same for business aviation. City leaders sent a letter in March inviting Obama to visit Wichita, and the City Council voted unanimously for a resolution to that effect. Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer said he hoped Buffenbarger would be successful in his request. "Maybe he can talk him into it because I haven't been able to get him to do it."

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