aircraft on ground support

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Author: Patrick Recer

West Star Aviation recently announced they have broken ground on a brand new maintenance facility totaling 47,000 square feet. The plans for expansion came in response to the high demand of West Star Aviation customers, which has their current facilities operating at maximum capacity. In addition to the new maintenance facility, West Star also has […]

Debi Cunningham

West Star Aviation recently announced they have named Debi Cunningham Vice President of Marketing and Interior Design. Debi started her career in business aviation in 1983 and has been with West Star since 2002. With nearly 30 years in the aviation industry, Debi has held numerous positions throughout her career within the sales, modification and […]

West Star Aviation recently completed a custom paint job on a fire truck for the Grand Junction and Mesa County Fire Departments to further promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The paint job was completed at West Star’s 25,000 square foot paint facility at their Grand Junction (GJT) location, where the fire truck was painted the […]

Morris Smith

West Star Aviation recently announced that Morris Smith has accepted the position as Gulfstream Bombardier Technical Sales Manager at their East Alton, IL (ALN) location. Morris brings nearly 35 years of technical and management experience with him to West Star. Throughout his career, Morris successfully developed and maintained programs such as 731 MPI Shop, C-20 […]

West Star Aviation recently completed an Active Shooter Training Drill at their East Alton, IL (ALN) location. The drill was designed to assist the company in improving the safety of their employees, customers, and visitors to the facility in the incidence of an emergency. Only a select group of ALN employees participated in the initial […]

West Star Aviation recently announced they have been named an authorized installation dealer for the Jetcraft Corporation’s Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS), known as HUD Vision Access system for the Challenger 604 aircraft. In June 2013, the Federal Administration (FAA) awarded “lower landing credit” approved supplemental type certificate (STC) for the EFVS. The HUD Vision […]

  West Star Aviation recently announced they have hired two new Technical and Regional Sales Managers.  Christina Byman has joined the company as Technical Sales Manager – Avionics at their East Alton, IL (ALN) location. In addition, West Star has welcomed Craig Winterrowd as Regional Sales Manager in California. In her new position, Christina will […]

West Star Aviation recently announced two significant promotions within their organization. Rodger Renaud has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Eric Kujawa to General Manager of West Star’s East Alton, IL (ALN) location. Both changes are effective as of July 1, 2013. Rodger first joined the West Star team in April 2012, as […]

West Star Aviation recently launched a new and improved version of their “Experience on Call” aviation app.  Specifically designed for iPhone and iPad users, the free app is now available and can be downloaded from the iTunes Store. The aviation app was designed to provide direct contact to a full directory of professionals at West […]

  West Star Aviation is now offering aircraft interior services at their Columbia, South Carolina (CAE) location. The new interior shop is fully equipped to complete a variety of partial interior work, including upholstery, panel recovery, and carpet. West Star does not currently offer woodworking services at CAE; however, they have an aggressive plan to […]

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 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.
  • 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.