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Author: Patrick Recer

WEST STAR AVIATION Welcomes Two New Sales Managers

Continued customer demand driving hiring increase West Star Aviation recently announced they have welcomed two new sales managers to their team. Steve Bates has been named Bombardier & Gulfstream Technical Sales manager and Wayne Sawyer has accepted the position as Northeast Regional Sales Manager. Both Steve and Wayne started their new positions in June 2015. With […]

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

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 […]

Grand Opening Of New Grand Junction Paint Facility

 New facility features over 40,000 square feet and two new bays West Star Aviation announced the completion of their new Grand Junction paint facility at their Grand Junction, CO (GJT) location. The new facility is 41,000 sq. feet and features two bays: one for strip, sand and priming, the other is a state of the […]

New Satellite Facility At Chicago Executive Airport (KPWK)

Repair Station Manual and Class 4 Repair Station Certificate awarded for facility West Star Aviation recently announced they are operating a satellite facility at Chicago Executive Airport (KPWK) in Chicago, IL. A Class 4 Repair Station, CRS PAZD068H, West Star will provide maintenance and avionics troubleshooting and repairs, minor inspections, customer assistance, as well as […]

WEST STAR AVIATION Welcomes New Director Of Interiors At CAE

Andy Waynick to join interior shop at Columbia, SC location   West Star Aviation recently announced they have hired Andy Waynick as Director of Interiors at their Columbia, South Carolina (CAE) location. West Star added interior services at their CAE location in 2013. The CAE interior shop is fully equipped to complete a variety of […]

West Star Aviation Voted #1 Preferred MRO In U.S. For Second Consecutive Year

Longstanding PRASE survey honors top service providers in the industry West Star Aviation continues to set themselves apart as a leader in technical expertise, experience, and world-class customer service, by being voted #1 Preferred MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul) in Professional Pilot magazine’s 2015 “Preferences Regarding Aviation Services and Equipment” (PRASE) Survey for the second […]

WEST STAR AVIATION Integrates Carbon Fiber Into Aircraft

                                      Carbon fiber used in paint and interior projects                           While carbon fiber has been readily used in the structure of aircraft for some time, it’s […]

WEST STAR AVIATION Welcomes New Avionics Technical Sales Manager

Chris Woolverton To Join West Star Sales Team                                 West Star Aviation recently announced they have welcomed Chris Woolverton to their sales team as Avionics Technical Sales Manager. Chris will be based at  West Star’s East Alton, IL (ALN) facility. Chris […]

WEST STAR AVIATION Chief Financial Officer To Be Inducted Into Hall Of Fame

Mike Shonka honored by Wichita Business Journal  West Star Aviation is proud to announce that Mike Shonka, their Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will be inducted into the Wichita Business Journal’s “CFO Awards Hall of Fame”. Mike will be inducted during the Wichita Business Journal’s annual CFO Awards event on March 3, 2015. Mike has had […]

First EPIC CDS/R On Challenger 601

Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for installation expected in 2015 West Star Aviation is proud to announce the launch of  their newest avionics program for the installation of the  Honeywell Primus Epic CDS/R full color (LCD) liquid crystal cockpit display system on the Challenger 601.  West Star will begin taking installation orders in the second quarter […]

Mark White

Mark White

RSM, California

469.267.9423
Gary Freeman

Gary Freeman

RSM, Southwest

970.260.0027
Carl Hefner

Carl Hefner

RSM, Northwest

970.261.4077
Bob Fairfield

Bob Fairfield

RSM, Central

618.512.5077
Keith Schroeder

Keith Schroeder

RSM, Midwest

920.810.3905
Dave Godo

Dave Godo

RSM, Ohio Valley

618.610.0551
Chris Wilkes

Chris Wilkes

RSM, Northeast

610.937.5195
Cory Kolman

Cory Kolman

RSM, Canada

702.742.1945
Mark Daniels

Mark Daniels

RSM, South

210.284.4990
Tim Cane

Tim Cain

RSM, Florida

407.969.5365
Robbie Johnson

Robbie Johnson

RSM, Mid Atlantic

618.610.3081
Santiago Carol

Santiago Carol

RSM, Latin America

970.261.0492
Steve Fleeman

Steve Fleeman

RSM, Landing Gear

970.683.1683
Jim Woodliff

Jim woodliff

RSM, Texas

610.937.5195

Contact Us

WSAA will be piloted at the East Alton, IL facility with the first round of apprentices anticipated to start in August 2024. For more information on West Star Aviation employment or WSAA apprentice selection criteria, please visit www.weststaraviation.com/wsaa-academy 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.
Apply Online
  • 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.