June 9, 2000

Kraham, Local Officials, Dedicate Lobby at Link Simulation & Training

KIRKWOOD, N.Y. - Broome County Executive Jeffrey P. Kraham joined David Burns, Vice President Binghamton Operations, Link Simulation & Training, Marilyn Link, sister of the late Ed Link who founded the Link Flight Simulation Company, and local officials to dedicate the newly renovated lobby of the Link Simulation & Training facility located in Kirkwood.

During the ceremony, Mr. Burns and Ms. Link unveiled an original Link trainer which will be on permanent display in the Link Simulation & Training lobby located at 265 Industrial Park Drive in Kirkwood. Ten thousand of the same trainer model were built between the late 1930s and the late 1940s. Flight trainers have helped thousands of pilots learn to fly without going in to the sky.

"Today, thirty-five years after this fine facility opened, we pay tribute to the great simulation tradition Ed Link began nearly three quarters of a century ago; a tradition that thanks to the leadership and commitment of Frank Lanza, L-3’s Chief Executive, continues here in Binghamton," said Mr. Kraham.

Ed Link built the first Link Trainer in Binghamton in 1928 from pipe organ parts he found in the basement of his father’s organ factory. Nicknamed "the pilot maker" this device included real aircraft instruments and was mounted on pneumatic bellows to provide motion effects.

"We are committed to the loyal employees of Link Simulation and Training and will do everything we can to help L-3’s Link Simulation and Training expand," Mr. Kraham added.

In February, L-3 Communications acquired Raytheon’s Training Devices and Training Services Division. Demonstrating its commitment to the Binghamton employees and to the legacy of Ed Link, Mr. Lanza and L-3 renamed the Binghamton operation Link Simulation and Training.

"Working with a community-minded CEO, Frank Lanza, and a community-minded company, L-3 Communications, combined with Governor Pataki’s business-friendly environment, there’s no limit to the number of economic development success stories that can be created in the southern tier. We look forward to having a very successful working relationship with L-3 Communications," said Bob Moppert, Regional Director, Empire State Development.

Mr. Kraham commended Governor Pataki, Senator Thomas Libous, Bob Moppert, Regional Director, New York State Department of Economic Development, Dick D’Attilio, Executive Director of the Broome County Industrial Development Agency, Joseph Griffin, Supervisor, Town of Kirkwood, Oliver Blaise, Superintendent, Windsor School District, and Mike German, President and Chief Operating Officer, New York State Electric and Gas for their dedication to keeping the Link Simulation & Training Facility in the southern tier.

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