The president of a McCook kit helicopter company is meeting with an unnamed major aerospace company about providing help in bringing the kits to full production.

The McCook company, Pawnee Aviation, is under pressure from local officials to begin repayment of a revolving loan fund and begin producing the kits.

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Ron Willocks of Pawnee Aviation told the Gazette Monday that both his company and the unnamed company are practicing due diligence before entering into an official business relationship including flight testing. The company has especially rigid standards, he said, because it markets to international buyers.

Willocks and the prototype was in Wyoming this week for meetings with the company, which had other business in that state. He said McCook would continue to be an important part of the Pawnee Aviation operation. A talented machinist already has been hired here, he said, and a substantial stockpile of parts has already been produced here for upcoming kits. A Norton, Kan., operation will be important in producing airframes, he said.

One kit is ready for delivery, awaiting action by the purchaser, he said.