Reps. Estes, Carbajal Recognize National Aerospace Week
This week, Reps. Ron Estes (R-Kansas) and Salud Carbajal (D-California), co-chairs of the House Aerospace Caucus, recogn...
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About the Caucus
Aviation is deeply engrained in American history and innovation. Our aviation and defense industries employ more than 2.1 million skilled Americans, with employees in every state.
The House Aerospace Caucus will work to maintain U.S. global aerospace leadership, highlight the critical work that organizations and employees perform, engage members and staff on challenges facing the industry, and address legislative issues impacting aerospace. The caucus is bipartisan, with members from across the country that have a vested interest in aerospace.
U.S. aerospace and defense powers the U.S. economy, generating $892 billion in combined sales in 2021, in addition to $391 billion in economic value - representing 1.7% of total nominal GDP in the U.S.
Membership
Co-Chair Ron Estes (KS-04)
Ron Estes (pronounced ESS-tiss) is a 5th generation Kansan and serves Kansas' 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, which includes Wichita — the Air Capital of the World.
In Congress, Rep. Estes has been a tireless advocate for aerospace workers and organizations. He successfully thwarted a proposal for so-called "privatization" of the FAA, supporting general aviation, worked fastidiously with stakeholders, government leaders, and the Federal Aviation Administration in the wake of the grounding of the 737 MAX to define a clear process for recertification, and helped preserve Wichita as the Air Capital of the World by introducing and helping pass the Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Act in the House — enacted into law in March 2021.
Co-Chair Salud Carbajal (CA-24)
Rep. Salud Carbajal proudly represents the 24th Congressional District of California. The District includes the entirety of Santa Barbara County and portions of San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties. Rep. Carbajal sits on the House Committee on Armed Services, the House Committee on Agriculture, and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, where he serves as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Serving on both HASC and T&I, Rep. Carbajal plays a direct role in crafting public policy related to both civilian and military aerospace. Vandenberg Space Force Base is in the district and the Congressman is committed to supporting the growing commercial space economy for California’s Central Coast.
Aerospace & Defense
By the Numbers
Average Labor Income per Job
More Than $106,70040% Above National Average
A&D Workforce
More Than 2.1 Million With Employees in Every U.S. State
Industry Exports
$100.4 BillionWith Exports to 205 Countries
Economic Value
$391 Billion1.7% of Total Nominal GDP in the U.S.
*All stats from 2021 unless otherwise noted. Source: Aerospace Industries Association
A Look Back
(Photos courtesy of Library of Congress)
Key Dates in Aerospace History
- Dec 17, 1903
- Jun 14, 1919
- May 20, 1926
- Apr 06, 1927
- May 20, 1927
- 00/00/1928
- Jan 01, 1929
- Nov 28, 1929
- May 15, 1930
- Dec 31, 1930
- May 21, 1932
- Jul 22, 1933
- Jul 06, 1936
- Sep 14, 1939
- 00/00/1941
- Oct 14, 1947
- Sep 18, 1947
- Jun 12, 1957
- Jan 31, 1958
- Jul 29, 1958
- Aug 23, 1958
- May 05, 1961
- Feb 20, 1962
- 00/00/1962
- Jul 20, 1969
- Jul 17, 1975
- Jul 01, 1976
- Apr 21, 1981
- Jun 18, 1983
- 00/00/1985
- Dec 21, 2015
- Dec 20, 2019
- Nov 16, 2022
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December 17, 1903
Wright Brothers make their first flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
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June 14, 1919
First transatlantic flight
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May 20, 1926
President Calvin Coolidge signs the Air Commerce Act, establishing federal control over civil aviation
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April 6, 1927
William P. MacCracken Jr., assistant secretary of commerce for aeronautics, receives Pilot License No. 1, the first private pilot license issued by the federal government
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May 20, 1927
Charles Lindbergh makes the first solo transatlantic non-stop solo flight
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00/00/1928
Wichita claims the title of Air Capital of the World
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January 1, 1929
First air traffic controller
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November 28, 1929
First flight over the South Pole
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May 15, 1930
Ellen Church, a registered nurse, becomes the first stewardess and the first female crew member aboard a commercial airliner
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December 31, 1930
First radio-controlled airport tower
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May 21, 1932
Amelia Earhart becomes the first woman to make a solo crossing of the Atlantic by airplane
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July 22, 1933
Wiley Post completes first solo flight around the world in 7 days, 18 hours, and 49 minutes
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July 6, 1936
Federal Air Traffic Control begins
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September 14, 1939
The VS-300 becomes the world's first practical helicopter
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00/00/1941
U.S. Army Air Corps forms first Black military flying unit, the Tuskegee Airmen
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October 14, 1947
First piloted supersonic flight
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September 18, 1947
U.S. Air Force established
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June 12, 1957
Dwight D. Eisenhower becomes the first President to employ a helicopter while in office
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January 31, 1958
The U.S. successfully launches Explorer I, the first U.S. earth satellite
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July 29, 1958
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) established
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August 23, 1958
The Federal Aviation Act of 1958 creates the Federal Aviation Administration
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May 5, 1961
Alan Shepard becomes the first American in space
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February 20, 1962
John Glenn Jr. pilots the first manned orbital flight in space
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00/00/1962
John F. Kennedy becomes the first president to fly in a jet specifically for presidential use
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July 20, 1969
Neil Armstrong becomes the first man to walk on the moon
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July 17, 1975
First international docking in space
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July 1, 1976
Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum opens in Washington, D.C.
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April 21, 1981
The U.S. launches space shuttle Columbia on the first shuttle orbital flight
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June 18, 1983
Sally Ride, Ph.D., becomes the first U.S. woman in space
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00/00/1985
Wichita State University establishes National Institute for Aviation Research
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December 21, 2015
First successful return and vertical landing of a first-stage rocket
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December 20, 2019
U.S. Space Force established
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November 16, 2022
NASA launches Artemis I, the first launch in a program hoping to return to the moon
