Business news with words aircraft+department+police. 2 news.

Willard Walpole got his start in business by buying and selling surplus airplane parts in the years after World War II. The company he founded, Wilco Inc., has grown into a multiline distributor, selling general aviation aircraft parts, motorcycle parts and a specialty line of strong, lightweight metal alloy called 1430 steel sheet and plate metal. The company is now owned by his son and daughter, Floyd Walpole and Muriel Walpole. Floyd Walpole joined the company after a career that included time at QuikTrip, the Derby refinery and, finally, the Wichita Police Department. He retired as a financial crimes detective and came back to run the family company when his father's health began to fail. About two years ago, Mike Hattrup joined the company as a sales manager after operating his aircraft parts business for 25 years.

A controversial scheme for American aid to help its southern neighbour fight drugs looks useful but underwhelming THE idea was first mooted at a meeting near Merida last March between Mexico's president, Felipe Calderon, and George Bush. Months of negotiations culminated in weeks of leaks, mainly from American officials. But for such a well-rehearsed exercise, the announcement when it finally came was oddly low-key. On October 22nd both governments said that in an early-morning telephone call the two presidents had agreed on a plan under which the United States will provide Mexico with $1.4 billion in aid over the next three years to fight drug traffickers. Patricia Espinosa, Mexico's foreign minister, said the largest single chunk of an initial $500m would be spent on aircraft--mostly transport planes, she said, although in Washington, the State Department talked of surveillance aircraft and helicopters. There will also be scanning equipment at the border, and new communications systems, training and technical advice for Mexican police, including help on a witness-protection programme. And the United States will also give $50m in anti-drug aid to the Central American countries.