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Breaks Ground On Chattanooga Facility Expansion

West Star Aviation has officially launched its expansion program at their Chattanooga, TN (CHA) location, marking the occasion with a groundbreaking ceremony on July 13th with actual construction starting the same day.

The all-new hangar complex will consist of 40,000 sq. ft. of active hangar space and an additional 17,000 sq. ft. of shop and support space. Additionally, West Star has started retrofitting one of its existing hangars to include a new design studio, customer accommodations and nearly double their Interior Shop capacity. The complete planned expansion at the CHA location will increase the total operational footprint from 179,828 sq. ft. to approximately 262,816 sq. ft. effectively. The construction should be complete in less than a year, with a June 2023 expected completion date.

“We are very excited to start this expansion project and look forward to completion of the construction bringing 100+ more jobs to the local community along with offering our valued customers the additional space to complete their maintenance projects,” said Steve Goede, General Manager (CHA).

West Star would like to thank those that attended the event in celebration of this historic moment for the city and company combined. Those pictured in order of appearance (from left to right):

Katie Johnson – VP of HR (West Star Aviation)
Matt DeLellis – CFO (West Star Aviation)
Terry Hart – President & CEO (CMAA)
Steve Goede – General Manager (West Star Aviation)
Jim Rankin – CEO (West Star Aviation)
Tim Kelly – Mayor (City of Chattanooga)
Christy Gillenwater – President & CEO (Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce)
Kevin Larson – President (Tectonics)
Marty Rhine – VP of Sales (West Star Aviation)
Patrick Vocke – Representative (West Star Aviation)

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.