Beech Tree News Network

Blackhawk Aerospace Composites celebrated its 10th anniversary with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, November 19th, at their facility on West Morrison Street in Morgantown. They opened their doors in 2009 in the 38,000-plus square-foot building.

The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the event.

Matt Shieman, Chairman of Blackhawk Aerospace, spoke about the success of the company.

"We are a small company but feel confident with the people we are working with and we have a great story to tell," said Shieman.

Blackhawk works with government agencies and several large aviation companies. The Morgantown facility has 18 employees with plans to increase in the near future.

Blackhawk Aerospace has multiple facilities: Blackhawk Modifications, Blackhawk Aircraft Sales in Waco, Texas; Blackhawk Aerospace Composites, based in Morgantown, Kentucky; and Blackhawk Aerospace Solutions, in Huntsville, Alabama.

Aerospace-grade quality composite manufacturing begins with advanced tools designed for pinpoint accuracy through every phase to ensure exceptional results. Blackhawk Aerospace Composites invests in the latest technology, allowing them to manufacture composite products in-house, giving customers the cost-competitive advantage.

The Morgantown facility includes:

· 5-foot x 20-foot autoclave with 85 psi/400 degrees Fahrenheit maximum operating capacity

· Laser placement system for laser ply placement

· Clearcoat specific paint booth for processing exposed carbon

· Autometrics CNC Plycutter

· Weld equipment

· Rivet equipment for assembly

· 38,510-square-foot manufacturing facility

· Large walk-in 0 degrees Fahrenheit material storage

· Temperature and humidity controlled clean manufacturing area

· 10-foot platinum FaroArm with laser scanner for dimension verification

· Curing equipment with 500 degrees Fahrenheit capability

· Grinding booths

· Paint booths

Kaylah West is the general manager of the Morgantown facility.