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500th Exterior Paint Delivery For Pilatus PC-12 Aircraft Complete

West Star 500th PC-12 Delivery

West Star Aviation recently announced they have delivered their 500th Pilatus PC-12 aircraft with exterior paint from their Grand Junction, CO (GJT) location.  The aircraft was delivered to Pilatus during a commemoration ceremony held June 18, 2015.

At the ceremony, which was attended by West Star’s GJT team as well as Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd’s coordination team and President & CEO, Thomas Bosshard, Pilatus was presented with a commemorative photo to celebrate the milestone. After the presentation, those in attendance toured West Star’s new 40,000 square foot paint hangar, and did a final inspection on the aircraft being delivered.

“We painted our first Pilatus PC-12 in Grand Junction in 1994, so to be celebrating our 500th aircraft for Pilatus is very exciting,” said Dave Krogman, General Manager (GJT), West Star Aviation. “Pilatus has been a long-time partner of West Star and we want to thank them for their continued support with this special ceremony.”

“We are looking forward to continuing our longstanding relationship and completing the next 500 aircraft,” Krogman concluded.

Voted #1 Preferred MRO  in Professional Pilot magazine’s annual “Preferences Regarding Aviation Services and Equipment” (PRASE) Survey for two consecutive years, West Star Aviation, Inc. specializes in the repair and maintenance of airframes, windows, and engines, as well as major modifications, avionics installation and repair, interior refurbishment, surplus avionics sales, accessory services, paint and parts.

In addition to its facilities in East Alton, IL; Grand Junction, CO; and Columbia, SC. West Star Aviation runs the maintenance operations at Aspen-Pitkin County Airport in Aspen, CO, Spirit of St. Louis Airport in Chesterfield, MO, and Chicago Executive Airport in Chicago, IL. The company also provides complete FBO services for transient aircraft at its newly remodeled East Alton and Grand Junction facilities. West Star Aviation, Inc. is an industry leader in technical experience and expertise while providing world-class customer services in all the organization’s divisions. For more information visit weststaraviation.com or call 800-922-2421.

West Star 500th PC-12 Paint Completion FINAL

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Contact Us

WSAA will be piloted at the East Alton, IL facility with the first round of apprentices anticipated to start in January 2024. For more information on West Star Aviation employment or WSAA apprentice selection criteria, please visit www.weststaraviation.com/careers or contact Katie Johnson (katiejohnson@wsa.aero) or Dave Lagermann (dlagermann@wsa.aero).

Application & Selection Process

Before applying, please be aware of the standards of conduct for employment with West Star along with the strict requirements below while attending WSAA.

  • Working in Aviation requires a commit to being drug-free.  Pre-employment drug testing along with random and reasonable suspicion testing is required for all companies employing people working in safety sensitive positions. The position you are considering applying for is safety sensitive.  If hired, you must pass a DOT drug test to start working, if you fail the job offer is rescinded.  If you pass, you must remain drug-free during employment, failing a random or reasonable suspicion test may result in termination of employment.  Please note: marijuana is legal in certain states however the FAA follows Federal law where marijuana is illegal.  This means testing positive for marijuana, or any other illegal drug, will prevent you from working in Aviation. 
  • The first 7.5 months will follow a strict schedule: Monday – Friday 7:00am – 3:30pm (breaks and meal periods provided). 
  • The expectation is to arrive inside the learning center and clocked in at 7:00am.
  • While attending WSAA, no more than 4 hours a week can be missed.  Extenuating medical circumstances will be given full consideration with supporting documentation.
  • WSAA follows an FAA approved curriculum which has certain requirements including attendance. 
  • Testing for the FAA license at the conclusion of WSAA is required, along with passing.  Two opportunities to test will be provided, if needed.  Employment may terminate if the FAA license is not obtained.
  • Candidates will be contacted to complete pre-screening assessments and questionnaires. 
  • Qualified candidates will be contacted in late November and scheduled for a tour and interview with Hiring Managers at West Star Aviation in East Alton, IL.
  • To be qualified, candidates must pass the pre-screening process along with submitting a negative DOT drug test result.
  • Finalists will be selected after onsite interviews. Job offers will be extended in mid-December with a start date of January 9, 2024.
  • Pay while learning in the Academy will be $20 per hour.  Upon successfully graduating and obtaining your FAA license, pay will increase to $27 per hour.