The Flight Pattern between NAAMCE and Paris, France

Heck and His UnMerry Men Just Couldn't Let it be Free

Wikipedia sums up the history of how the National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence came to be: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Advanced_Air_Mobility_Center_of_Excellence

An inclusive company called Marker developed it. The City seems to only outsource to companies touting inclusivity, because that's what you want in your developers, contractors, consultants. Diversity. Really, the FAA gave them money, so I'm sure it was in the requirements. And because Springfield still prostitutes itself at every turn for the federal welfare, it's still one of their biggest criteria in the companies they do business with.

I assume Franzen was involved in this, but there isn't much of a mention of him online. He's just a ghost. But he loves to play with airplanes apparently, so I assume he was involved.

This article (PDF) in September 2023 says that the center is a $9.35 million project that includes a $6 million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Defense, $2.9 million grant from JobsOhio and $450,000 commitment from the city of Springfield. News Sun article link: https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/business/springfield-takes-center-stage-with-aerospace-events-this-week/RBH5LEO7V5F4HFLEB7L5WMKJKY/

This article in March 2024 says that the city approved the total cost of $9,102,818. 95% FAA, 5% City. But then JobsOhio, the multi-billion dollar Ohio "nonprofit" (a whole 'nother story of in-your-face corruption), came in and paid the City's 5% portion, so it was FREE to the City. (You know that thinking. Nobody dependent on government money considers that government money isn't actually free.)

This article in Jan 2025 says that the City of Springfield contributed $1 million, but apparently "the state" (JobsOhio) came in and paid it all in 2025.

This is how Springfield does things. Numbers aren't meant to be exact. It's only other people's money.

• National Advanced Air Mobility Center: Springfield OKs final costs for its share of $9.1 project

• National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence to open in Springfield

• National Advanced Air Mobility Center: Springfield OKs final costs for its share of $9.1 project - Search

So to celebrate, Heck gathered his buddies for a trip to Paris. France! They refer to it as "a delegation" (definition = a group of representatives), so more than 3 or 4. We'll go with 5-6? So, if we multiply his $5,170 bill by 5 or 6, that's $25,850-$31,020. Plus their salaries for 5 days (June 19-23, 2023, was a Monday through Friday). A person earning $200,000 a year earns approximately $3,846.15 per week. Multiply $3,846 X 5 or 6, that's $19,230 - $23,076.

For a grand total of $45,080 - 54,096. For them to spend a nice June week in Paris. For an airshow. That's relative.

And when Heck got back, he even approved his own T&E report. See image below.

Hotel = 2, 180
Mileage = 65.37 (I think he opted for this instead of the $150 Uber?
Air = 1,570.73
Meals = 984 (164 a day allotment, so go big or go home)
Ubers = 150 (just added his 3, assuming others had about the same)
Airshow Badge = 221
Heck's total = 5,171.10

Update November 2025: How's the NAAMCE going? The 2026 City Commissioners' Retreat is going to be there, so built by them for them, as usual. Nothing to see here. Either. To be fair, there are articles about vertical flight and meetings and men shaking hands and things, but it all seems to be about things to come. Lots of that around here. Data centers. Jobs. All things to come.