aircraft on ground support

24/7/365 AOG SUPPORT: 215.937.9020 | aog@wsa.aero

Month: May 2023

Garmin GI 275 for Part 23 and Part 25 applications

Garmin continues to impress with creative and functional products. The focus of this article, the GI 275, is no different.    In addition to filling a broad range of functions for single engine and multi-engine Part 23 aircraft, the GI 275 is delivering benefits into the Part 25 market in a very useful way.  The […]

West Star is pleased to announce the addition of Jay King as Project Manager for Bombardier at their Chattanooga, TN (CHA) facility. Jay has over 17 years of aviation experience, previously maintaining several corporate aircraft as well as volunteering at NBAA for the maintenance, scholarships and FAA Part 145 programs. Jay graduated from Middle Tennessee […]

West Star is pleased to announce Lee Smieja as their new Gulfstream Project Manager at their Chattanooga, TN (CHA) facility. Lee has more than 20 years of aviation experience including previously working at Gulfstream. Lee graduated from Concordia University with a Bachelor of Business Management and has his Airframe and Powerplant license. “Lee’s extensive and […]

West Star is pleased to announce new hire Monty McAllister as their new Program Manager for Accessories and Landing Gear at their Chattanooga, TN (CHA) facility. Monty has more than 30 years of management experience, excelling at building successful, award-winning teams. “Monty brings extensive management knowledge that will be beneficial to West Star and our […]

Gogo LTE Upgrade

At the start of 2023, Gogo announced that their current ground network will be upgraded for the first time to LTE.  This upgrade will create more bandwidth for aircraft with the AVANCE platform installed.  The LTE upgrade is currently underway and set to launch on January 1, 2026. When the LTE network goes online, those […]

Global Express – Fixed Cowl Chafing

During engine R&R or during a 120/240-month inspections, West Star Aviation has been discovering chafing of the fixed cowl on Global aircraft from a bleed air clamp.  This chafing has been observed roughly 15 to 18 times over the past two years. The issue requires a Technical Variance, in which Rolls-Royce will either call out […]

Citation Latitude Operators

Citation Latitude operators that have a 4-year inspection approaching, need to be aware of some variables that can affect delivery dates for completing their inspections.  Having completed at least 6 of these inspections recently at West Star Aviation’s ALN facility, our Citation specialists have observed or experienced some of these elements first hand and want […]

Americus, Georgia: Embraer Praetor 500

On 3/22/2023 West Star Aviation AOG/MRT was dispatched to Americus Georgia after an Embraer Praetor 500 hit a deer during landing.  The AOG Team was notified that there was extensive damage to the belly panels of the aircraft with wiring hanging out. MRT arrived to assess avionics issues and structural damage. All required system checks […]

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.