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Update: Expansion Projects In Motion

CHA Expansion
CHA Expansion

Early in 2022, the company announced growth and expansion plans for three of their primary full-service facilities. While the plans are aggressive, priorities have been meticulously managed and a phased approach is being utilized. With 2023 officially underway, the first stage of these expansion projects are nearing completion for the company’s Chattanooga, TN facility. As the Chattanooga project wraps up this year, the next phase gets underway, making 2023 and beyond an exciting time as the company further positions itself to better serve customer needs.

Chattanooga, TN (CHA)

West Star Aviation officially launched expansion efforts at their Chattanooga, TN (CHA) location with a groundbreaking ceremony on July 13th with actual construction starting the same day. Plans for the location include an all-new hangar complex featuring 40,000 sq. ft. of active hangar space and an additional 17,000 sq. ft. of shop and support space.

Additionally, one of its existing hangars is being retrofitted to include a new design studio, customer accommodations and an Interior Shop that will nearly double current 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 existing hangar retrofit is slated to be complete in March 2023 with the all-new facility following in June 2023.

Perryville, MO (PCD)

The full service facility at Perryville Regional Airport (PCD) has recently acquired an additional 45,000 sq. ft. building that will now house GSE tooling, shipping and receiving.  This will effectively free up needed capacity in the existing hangar complex for customer aircraft by the end of February 2023.

East Alton, IL (ALN)

Plans for the East Alton, IL (ALN) facility have entered the design phase and include a new 40,000 sq. ft. general use hangar and an additional 48,000 sq. ft. dedicated paint shop and hangar that when combined with existing paint facilities, will significantly increase paint capacity at the location. These additions will bring the ALN operational footprint to over 400,000 sq. ft. of office, hangar and shop space, with over 200,000 sq. ft, of ramp space.

Grand Junction, CO (GJT)

West Star announced initial plans for major facility expansion at their Grand Junction, CO (GJT) in early 2022 in order to keep pace with customer demand.

Among the plans are an all-new 40,000 sq. ft. hangar with an additional 35,000 sq. ft. of shop and office space. The shop space will include a larger interior shop, a complete composite shop and tool room. The new facility will be focused on the expansion of large aircraft capability. The expansion would increase the GJT location’s operational footprint to approximately 379,000 sq. ft. The expansion is slated to add 84 additional technicians and an additional 100 other new jobs when the expansion is complete.

Check back soon for updates on the Grand Junction expansion plans.

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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.