3 6 S T U F F • F a l l 2 0 1 9
S T U F F M a d e I n C T . c o m
Even if you're not a football fan or particularly patriotic,
you've probably been wowed at the start of a Super Bowl
on TV when fighter jets zoom over the stadium, putting an
unmatchable exclamation mark on the singing of the national
anthem prior to the start of the game. You can't help but
think about where those planes have been, or where they
might travel to in defense of our country.
Connecticut manufacturers have long contributed to our
country's aviation industry, including fighter jets. In fact,
aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, located in East
Hartford, has been developing—and really, revolutionizing—
the jet engines for decades, said Ron Katz, director of
advancement and external relations at the New England Air
Museum.
Connecticut overall has had " significant impact on the
engine technology, Katz said.
Kyle Ramsay is a Pratt & Whitney operator/machinist who
works on vanes that affect engine airflow. He didn't initially
set out to work in manufacturing, but after earning an
associate degree in criminal justice and struggling to find
work, he ended up at a small machine shop.
"It was great," Ramsay said. "I learned quite a bit. I was there
just under four years and the pay was good. . . . When I heard
Pratt & Whitney was hiring, I applied, and I was one of the
lucky ones that got hired."
Ramsay works in a very clean environment, he said, and
enjoys having the final touch on the product before it goes to
final inspection. He also likes knowing that his work matters.
Connecticut makes engines for some
of the coolest planes in the world
By Karen A. Jamrog
Kyle Ramsay
POSITION: Operator/machinist
COMAPNY: Pratt & Whitney, East Hartford
AGE: 27
RESIDENCE: Broad Brook
SALARY RANGE FOR THIS TYPE OF JOB:
From minimum wage for entry level to $50+ per
hour
A NEW ENGLAND MAN: "I enjoy the outdoors.
I enjoy living in the East Coast. I like the
seasons."
