Illinois Aeronautical Firm Opens New Facility

April 16, 2012 - PRLog -- Palestine, IL
On April 20th, Flying S will be celebrating the completion of their new 16,000 square foot facility with a Grand Opening ceremony. Approximately 200 people including customers, vendors and employees are expected to attend from across the country.

Flying S is a privately owned and operated business just south of Palestine. It began as an aeronautical consultancy by owner, David Shaw, in 2001. Since then it has grown to incorporate fabrication and testing of various aerospace component designs. Initially all work was for one-of-a-kind prototype projects, however the new building will allow them to expand into manufacturing.

Flying S recently helped design and fabricate parts for NASA's James Webb Space Telescope. Currently the team of 19 people is working on a proprietary project designing and fabricating composite aircraft structure.

Many members of Mr. Shaw's family are pilots, including a great uncle who was a pilot during the early 1900s. Eager to become a pilot too, Mr. Shaw soloed in a sailplane at age 14 and got his private pilot license on his 16th birthday. He is also a University of Illinois (Champaign— Urbana) Aero Engineer and flight instructor. Prior to starting Flying S, Mr. Shaw gained valuable experience working at Cessna Aircraft and while working with renowned designer Burt Rutan at Scaled Composites.

The building project began last fall and was completed by AKRA Builders, Inc of Teutopolis, IL. To assist with the funding of the building Crawford County Development Association granted Flying S a low interest loan. Water and energy saving features of the building include the use of a geothermal heating/cooling system, extensive insulation options, and water efficient plumbing fixtures.

A unique feature of Flying S is their location on a farm. The Shaw family established the farm in the 1700s and currently raise organic grass fed cattle on the hundreds of acres of pasture.

Despite the weakened economy they are looking to hire more engineers, machinists and technicians. David and wife Penny are glad to be bringing jobs to Crawford County and keeping manufacturing in the USA.

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