aircraft on ground support

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Month: December 2021

FANS Installation STC For Citation X

The avionics specialists at West Star Aviation have developed and certified an STC for the Installation of Future Air Navigation System (FANS) equipment for Citation X aircraft in partnership with Honeywell.The first installation was recently completed at the company’s East Alton, IL (ALN) location. The FANS approval will provide Citation X operators the ability to […]

Gogo 5G

On Tuesday, December 7, 2021, the FAA released a statement regarding wireless carriers’ expansion of 5G on the ground and the potential effects on aviation safety.  The FAA and FCC are currently working together to safely roll out 5G services (now pushed to January 5, 2022) and mitigate potential issues.  These issues include:  Radio/Radar Altimeter […]

In conjunction with the state of Tennessee and the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA), West Star is pleased to announce plans for a major facility expansion at their (CHA) location. The plans include a new hangar complex that will consist of 40,000 sq. ft. of active hangar space and an additional 17,000 sq. ft. of shop […]

Chattanooga Area Chamber

Download Article ●     Full-service aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul company to invest $17 million in facility expansion  ●     Project represents the creation of 100 new jobs in Hamilton County  Chattanooga, Tenn. (December 13, 2021) – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and West Star Aviation officials announced today the company […]

Mastered In Tennessee

Download Article • Full-service aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul company to invest $17 million in facility expansion • Project represents the creation of 100 new jobs in Hamilton County NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and West Star Aviation officials announced today the company will […]

New GJT Design Center

West Star Aviation is pleased to announce the completion of a complete remodel and expansion of their Aircraft Interior Design Center at their Grand Junction, CO (GJT) facility.   Form & Function: The newly completed 760 sq. ft. Design Center is four times the size of the previous space and includes custom cabinetry completely fabricated […]

West Star is pleased to announce plans for major facility expansion at their East Alton, IL (ALN), Grand Junction, CO (GJT) and Chattanooga, TN (CHA) locations in order to keep pace with customer demand. Plans for the East Alton, IL (ALN) facility include a new 40,000 sq. ft. general use hangar and an additional 48,000 […]

Dean Zimmel

West Star is pleased to announce the promotion of Dean Zimmel to Satellite manager of the Minneapolis, MN (MSP) location. Dean has over 35 years of experience in aviation, previously working at Mesaba Airlines, Dallas Airmotive and General Dynamics and has been with West Star for over 3 years. “Dean’s extensive background in maintenance will […]

Joe Irwin

West Star is pleased to welcome Joe Irwin as the new Aviation Maintenance Technical Trainer at their Chattanooga, TN (CHA) location. Joe spent 20 years in the Air Force as an F-16 Crew Chief, completing his military career in 2014 as a training manager at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. Joe has his degree […]

Mark White

RSM, California

Dave Godo

RSM, Ohio Valley

Mark Daniels
Tim Cane
Robbie Johnson

RSM, Mid Atlantic

Santiago Carol

RSM, Latin America

Steve Fleeman

RSM, Landing Gear

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.