Aerospace & Defense
Texas has been on the leading edge of aerospace and defense from the beginning of manned flight. The “can-do” spirit that comes naturally to Texans has made the Lone Star State a place of many firsts in innovation and industry.
From the earliest bi-planes to high-tech vehicles capable of landing on the moon, all types of aircraft have been manufactured in Texas. The Lone Star State is home to 4 major airlines and some of the world’s most advanced military aircraft are designed and built in Texas. Texas’ aerospace and aviation industry comprises about 200,000 jobs at 1,700 companies with workers earning an average annual salary of about $50,000.
Other Texas statistics:
- Texas has 24 airports with Customs Service (Ports of Entry).
- Twenty Texas colleges and universities and 36 public high schools in Texas offer aeronautical courses.
- More than 12.1 million departures and arrivals occur annually at Texas’ commercial airports.
- Fort Worth Alliance Airport was the first purely industrial airport to be built in the Western Hemisphere.
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport was ranked No. 28 on the July 2008 Top 30 World Airports by Cargo list from the Airports Council International.
- Texas has more than 42,795 licensed pilots (private, commercial and helicopter).
As a former Air Force pilot, Gov. Rick Perry understands the importance of aerospace and aviation. Gov. Perry piloted a C-130 Hercules tactical airlift aircraft in the United States, Europe and the Middle East during his military service in the 1970s.
In 2004, Gov. Perry announced a long-term, strategic job creation plan that will focus state efforts in six industry clusters, one of which is aerospace and defense. Each cluster was selected because of its powerful potential for future economic growth.
Major aerospace and aviation employers in Texas:
- American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and ExpressJet
- American Eurocopter
- BAE Systems
- Bell Helicopter Textron
- The Boeing Company
- Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
- NASA's Johnson Space Center
- L-3 Communications
- Lockheed Martin
- Raytheon
The Aerospace & Aviation Department, within the Economic Development & Tourism Division of the Office of the Governor, works closely with decision makers in the aerospace industry, other governmental agencies and academic institutions to build a business environment that’s second to none.
The Texas Department of Transportation Aviation Division assists cities and counties applying for, receiving and disbursing federal and state funds for reliever and general aviation airports. The division also participates in the Federal Aviation Administration's State Block Grant Program, with responsibilities for the federal improvement program for general aviation airports.
Industry Links
Map: FAA Approved Airframe & Powerplant Schools
Aviation Maintenance Technology Schools
State of Texas University Programs in Aerospace Engineering/Space Architecture
Map: State of Texas University Programs in Aerospace Engineering/Space Architecture
Aerospace Industry Report
Aerospace and Aviation Directory
Aircraft and the Texas Sales and Use Tax
Texas Aviation Snapshot
