SUMMIT AVIATION PIONEERS APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM IN AVIATION MAINTENANCE IN DELAWARE

Summit Aviation Inc., a Greenwich AeroGroup company, is proud to announce its achievement as the first Delaware employer to register Apprenticeship Standards with the Delaware Department of Labor, Division of Employment and Training, Office of Apprenticeship. In addition, Summit has successfully completed an Apprentice Agreement, marking the company as the first in Delaware to introduce the Aviation Maintenance Mechanic Registered Apprenticeship program. 

The newly established apprenticeship program will provide hands-on training opportunities and professional development for aspiring aviation professionals. Summit Aviation has taken a significant stride forward in supporting a more empowered workforce. One in which real-time experience combined with a career pathway lays the groundwork for aviation innovation within the region. 

“Our foray into the aviation industry is another example of our Registered Apprenticeship program finding opportunities to place Delawareans in different spaces, particularly those in underrepresented communities,” said Secretary of Labor Karryl Hubbard. “We know the aviation industry pays high wages for skilled workers. This innovation helps Delaware compete as we develop the next generation of aviation workers.” 

Ralph Kunz, Vice President and General Manager of Summit Aviation, expressed his enthusiasm about this initiative, "We are thrilled to be leading the way in Delaware by offering the first Registered Apprenticeship program in aviation maintenance,” he said. “This apprenticeship program will provide valuable career opportunities and professional development for individuals who are passionate about aviation and eager to contribute to this dynamic industry." 

Summit Aviation's commitment to nurturing talent is exemplified by the appointment of Ms. Abigail "Abby" Holloway, a recent graduate from Bohemia Manor High School, as their first-ever Aircraft Maintenance Registered Apprentice. As part of the program, Ms. Holloway will attend the Polytech School of Aviation Maintenance to complete the Registered Related Technical Instruction (RTI) program. This comprehensive curriculum will equip her with the necessary knowledge and expertise to excel in the aviation maintenance field. Through this hands-on experience and classroom instruction, she will develop a solid foundation to thrive in her role at Summit Aviation. 

Kunz added that, “Summit Aviation recognizes the importance of investing in the next generation of aviation professionals. By establishing this apprenticeship program, Summit aims to bridge the skills gap, foster career growth, and cultivate a highly skilled workforce in the aviation industry.” 

Pictured above left to right: Michelle Susi, Summit Aviation; Joe Olivere, Delaware Department of Labor; Abby Holloway, Lynn Trent, Summit Aviation and John Morris, Polytech School of Aviation Maintenance

WESTERN AIRCRAFT ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP CHANGES TO SUPPORT GROWTH

Western Aircraft, a leading provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, today announced changes to its leadership structure to better support its employees and customers as the business continues to grow.

Jody Harris, who has served as Director of Aircraft Services for the past seven years, will transition to the newly created role of Director of Operations Logistics. In this expanded role, Mr.Harris will continue to provide leadership for MRO Engineering, Quality Assurance and Planning, and will add leadership for the Parts Logistics, Warehouse and Facilities teams.

Brody McKenna, who joined Western Aircraft two years ago as the Avionics Department Manager, is promoted to Director of MRO Operations. He will be responsible for the Jet, Turboprop, Avionics, Interiors, and Structures departments.

According to Austin Shontz, Western Aircraft’s General Manager, the company is better positioned for the future. “As with any growing organization, there are periodic changes necessary to ensure we are managing our work, people and customers with the appropriate amount of support,” he said. “I am confident these moves will serve us well in the months and years to come, and I’m especially pleased to have the opportunity to work directly with these two key leaders as we take the business forward.”

Mr. McKenna brings more than 18 years of aviation experience to his new position.

“I am honored to be given the opportunity to lead such a talented team of professionals,” he said. “I look forward to continuing the strong culture of excellence in maintenance, repair, and overhaul services that Western Aircraft has become well known for in its more than 65 years in business.”

SUMMIT AVIATION AWARDED SIKORSKY S-92 AUTHORIZATION

Summit Aviation, a Greenwich AeroGroup Co., announced the Sikorsky S-92 helicopter has been added to its Sikorsky Authorized Customer Support Center Certificate.

Summit began serving S-92 operators in 2016. The company became a Sikorsky Authorized Customer Support Center for Sikorsky S-76 legacy aircraft in 2013, followed by Sikorsky S-76D helicopters in 2016.

“We are extremely pleased to include the S-92 helicopter to our current certificate,” said Ralph Kunz, vice president and general manager for Summit Aviation. “This authorization along with our recent EASA certification opens the doors for us to serve even more S-92 operators.”

Summit has been providing maintenance, repair and overhaul services for fixed wing and rotorcraft markets domestically and internationally for more than 60 years.

The Summit Aviation Maintenance Crew - 2022

WESTAIR CHARTER CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF SERVICE

Today, more than ever, chartering aircraft is all the rage. But long before it was cool, Western Aircraft’s Westair Charter was already paving the way for flying business and leisure travelers. Recently, it celebrated its 20th year of charter service. 

Western Aircraft’s Vice President for Aircraft Sales & Charter Management Phil Winters has been with the company since 1997, overseeing the growth of Western’s charter business while also watching the growth of the industry.

“We are proud to be celebrating this milestone and be a long-standing partner to the business aviation community,” said Winters.“ At the same time, I’m excited about the future as I observe the charter industry’s steady growth due to increasing productive business and family flight schedule options.”

Westair Charter has equally been seeing an upswing in its aircraft management services. It recently added its 16th managed aircraft, a Pilatus PC-24 to its management and Part 135 certificate based in Boise, Idaho. Westair Charter and Aircraft Management operates a variety of aircraft from various locations throughout the lower 48 United States and Hawaii.

SUMMIT AVIATION EARNS EASA CERTIFICATION

Summit Aviation, a Greenwich AeroGroup Company, successfully received its EASA Part 145 Maintenance Organization certificate approval from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

The certification approval allows Summit Aviation to provide maintenance services on aircraft currently registered in member countries of the European Union. For Summit, applicable aircraft would include corporate, rotorcraft and foreign military.

“We are excited to add EASA certification to our current list of accreditations,” said Ralph Kunz, vice president and general manager for Summit Aviation. “It permits us the opportunity to provide services for EU member customer aircraft that we have been unable to in the past.”

EASA certification is for aircraft maintenance and repair organizations located in the United States and Canada. Summit has been an FAA-Certified Repair Station since 1966.

PROFESSIONAL AVIATION ASSOCIATES FLIES THROUGH KEY AUDIT VIRTUALLY AND WITH NO FINDINGS

Professional Aviation Associates, a Greenwich AeroGroup company, recently passed its annual audit to renew its ISO 9001:2015, AS9120B certificate with flying colors. The ICT Audit under IAF MD 4:2018 was once again executed remotely, considering COVID-19, and generated zero findings.

“It takes a village to prepare for an audit,” said Hibo Linares, director of quality for Professional Aviation Associates. “We have a long checklist of things that we have to ensure are up to date and our employees have to equally be prepared and grasp the importance to the organization of successfully completing the audit.”

“Professional Aviation has one of the best QMS programs I have seen. I have audited over 200 companies and this team is in the top 10%,” said Wyndie Meyer, director of certification services and operational performance for the Aviation Suppliers Association and ASA Certification Body. “The management team is completely engaged in the state of the QMS, customer satisfaction and interested party requirements. Every employee interviewed was very eager and supportive of the audit process. They are the exact definition of a team!”

This was the third remote annual review for Professional Aviation Associates. The two-day process included interviews, and numerous emails and documents sent back and forth as objective proof.

Western Aircraft Fills Key Turboprop Positions

Western Aircraft, a Greenwich AeroGroup company, has promoted Heather Aldred to the role of turboprop regional sales manager and hired Peter Chabay as its new turboprop quoter.

Ms. Aldred is a licensed A&P mechanic with more than 15 years of experience in Parts 91, 121, 135 and 141 corporate, business and private aviation. She holds professional training in ATR, King Air and Piper maintenance, and has performed maintenance on these aircraft herself.

Her career in aviation maintenance has taken her all over the west: she co-owned a maintenance company in Scappoose, Oregon, before taking a position as a line mechanic in Oahu, Hawaii. Next, she participated in the full restoration of several Cessna 150/152 aircraft for AOPA’s “Reimagined” project in Afton, Wyoming, before she joined Western Aircraft’s team in 2016.

Ms. Aldred most recently served as the Piper maintenance supervisor for Western’s aircraft services division. In her new role as turboprop regional sales manager, her responsibilities will include serving fleet turboprop customers, Pilatus, King Air and Piper operators.

Peter Chabay recently joined Western Aircraft. He has more than 14 years of experience in aviation. Having worked his way up from administrative duties at Gulfstream to service center customer liaison responsibilities at Pilatus. In his new role as turboprop quoter, he will employ his intimate knowledge of turboprop airframes to work closely with the sales team and customers to generate accurate quotes for services requested.

He achieved his bachelor’s degree from the University of California-Irvine and maintains his single-engine land certificate as a licensed private pilot.

WESTERN AIRCRAFT RECEIVES TOP GARMIN AVIATION DEALER AWARD


Western Aircraft, a Greenwich AeroGroup company, has received Garmin Aviation’s Platinum Award for outstanding sales and service for 2021.

The Platinum Dealer Award is presented to Garmin dealers with the most outstanding levels of sales performance, technical expertise and customer service. The award is the highest recognition that can be bestowed upon a Garmin Aviation dealer.

“On behalf of the team at Garmin, we congratulate Western Aircraft on this tremendous achievement and thank them for their continued support and dedication to serving our mutual customers,” said Carl Wolf, Garmin vice president of aviation sales and marketing.

“The team at Western Aircraft is excited to be recognized with this award,”said Kerry Heiss, director of sales and marketing for Western Aircraft. “Garmin’s products and upgrades overlap nicely with many of our targeted airframes, and we are thrilled to be able to cater to our customers’ needs with these innovative and reliable avionics products.

Western Aircraft sells and installs Garmin products on a variety of platforms, including Citation, Pilatus, King Air, and Embraer aircraft.

WESTERN AIRCRAFT WELCOMES ROBERT STOCKTON TO ITS INTERIOR SALES TEAM

Western Aircraft, a Greenwich AeroGroup company, has hired seasoned aircraft designer Robert Stockton as its new interior sales manager.

Mr. Stockton has a broad aviation career that includes work in interior and exterior design, refurbishments, installations, customer relationships and sales support.

He brings more than 18 years of aircraft interior design experience to his new role with Western Aircraft. After serving in the U.S. Army as an emergency medical technician, he accepted a senior interior design role with Bombardier Aerospace where he served more than 10 years. Additionally, he worked as a sales representative for Garrett Leather before transitioning to Gulfstream where he served as a principal designer. In his most recent role, he was an interior/exterior designer for Embraer.

In his position with Western Aircraft, Mr. Stockton will be responsible for sales related to interior changes, design consulting, quoting, vendor relationships, and project planning among others. He will work collaboratively with Western Aircraft’s interiors team to ensure each project meets customer satisfaction. Mr. Stockton holds an Associate of Arts degree in Advertising Art and a Bachelor of Arts in Design from Southwest University of Visual Arts in Tucson, Arizona.

PROFESSIONAL AVIATION ASSOCIATES RECEIVES PARKER STRATOFLEX HOSE SHOP RECERTIFICATION

Professional Aviation Associates, a Greenwich AeroGroup company, recently completed its audit to continue operating as an authorized fabricator of Stratoflex aircraft hose assemblies. 

The audit was conducted virtually and completed with no findings. Twenty-three documents passed with supporting data, including the Hose Shop Quality Management System. 

“Our hose fabrication shop is a vital part of our business,” said Daniel Lafrance, vice president and general manager for Professional Aviation Associates. “I am extremely proud of our team for continuously upholding the exacting standards set forth by Parker Aerospace. This re-certification is a testament to our commitment to provide our customers with the best quality hoses for their aircraft.” 

Professional Aviation Associates have maintained a strong relationship with Parker Aerospace as an authorized aircraft hose fabricator for more than 25 years. The company fabricates an average of more than 10,000 aircraft hoses annually and distributes kits and assemblies worldwide for a variety of airframes including Piper, Cessna, Learjet, King Air, Beech 1900, Beech Baron, Hawker, Bonanza, Bell Helicopters, and more.