Helicopter manufacturer plans McCook plant

Red Willow County commissioners Monday morning approved a "letter of intent" to loan $300,000 to an aviation firm that plans to manufacture personal helicopter kits in McCook.

The same "MOU" (memorandum of understanding) with Pawnee Aviation, of Longmont, Colo., has been approved by the board of directors of the McCook Economic Development Corp., which oversees applications to the county's revolving loan fund.

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Rex Nelson, executive director of the MEDC, told commissioners during their meeting Monday morning that Ron Willocks, owner of Pawnee Aviation, would be in McCook Monday and today, looking for buildings suitable for the company's first year or so. Nelson said Willocks's intent is to build his own facility within a year or two.

Nelson is excited about Willocks's interest in McCook and the potential for success of Willocks's company. "We can do light manufacturing well in McCook," Nelson said. "And there is tremendous potential for growth, and tremendous potential for reward" in Willocks' firm.

Approval of the loan requires that Pawnee Aviation create at least 10 full-time jobs that will be maintained for 10 years, the duration of the loan.

Nelson said Willocks and his team of specialists and engineers have been developing a light helicopter and kit for 10 years, focusing on safety and ruggedness. The firm has built 16 prototypes over the years, Nelson said, and has designed and engineered a product that is far better than that offered by existing competitors. "He is ready to manufacture a product," Nelson said.

Nelson said the rotor that Willocks has designed and engineered could revolutionize the kit and light helicopter business, and that manufacture of the rotor alone could become a business in itself.

"There are lots of helicopters that could be revolutionized by this rotor," Nelson said. County governments and law enforcement could become primary customers for these helicopter kits, Nelson said.

Single- and two-seat helicopters sell from $20,000 to $67,500, and require about 200 hours to assemble. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration signs off on the completed helicopter, Nelson said.

Nelson said Willocks investigated the possibility of locating his plant in Fairbury, Lexington and Sidney before beginning to work with McCook's EDC. Nelson said.

He said Willocks is impressed with the work ethic and the cost of operation in Southwest Nebraska and also with the availability of cash, rather than tax incentives.

The commissioners' approval of the Memorandum of Understanding assures Willocks of the county's interest in the project and its intent to move forward to develop the legally-binding loan paperwork.

Pawnee Aviation

http://pawneeaviation.com/

McCook Economic Development Corp.

http://www.mccookne.org/