Chinese built airplanes - just what I've been waiting for. Any resemblance to their automobiles? [External Link]
Maybe if they use lead paint, the planes won't get off the ground.
All in the name of the bottom line, U.S. companies continue to sabotage their own economy. Successful companies like Cessna don't need to go elsewhere, but they are.
Posted at 2007-11-30 08:06:05 [PermaLink]John,
In my experience, North American aerospace companies are about equivalent with the nuclear industry in terms of internal standards. The good news is that Cessna won't put out a plane that doesn't meet spec because one major safety failure could doom the company in the aero market.
SAC has been making fighter jets for 50 years, which indicates that it should be possible for Cessna to develop a good process. I'm not sure, however, that the standard North American assumption of the inherent quality of 'military grade' can be applied.
My impression of China over that time period is that the government hasn't exactly been horrified over the loss of its own citizens and soldiers. E.g. a factory producing 100 jets which kill 20 pilots might have been considered 'superior' to one producing 60 safe aircraft.
Cessna could lose some money but if they could achieve six sigma manufacturing control in China, they stand to make a bundle. A success like that would change the playing field greatly, at the expense of many high paid jobs in North America and Europe.
Cessna's probably looking at the Chinese market more than the American market. Most of the aircraft produced will probably never leave China.
Posted at 2007-11-30 14:17:46 [PermaLink]