AIRFRAMES SERVICES LOCATIONS CONNECT ABOUT HISTORY AND HERITAGE HAVE A PLACE IN TODAY’S MOST SUCCESSFUL COMPANIES NO MATTER WHAT INDUSTRY THEY SERVE. HOWEVER, GREAT COMPANIES CONTINUE TO EVOLVE WITH THEIR CUSTOMERS AND THE MARKETS THEY SERVICE. WEST STAR AVIATION IS NO EXCEPTION. TODAY’S WEST STAR REPRESENTS THE BLENDING OF TWO TRUSTED, LONGSTANDING AVIATION SERVICE COMPANIES, PREMIER AIR CENTER AND WEST STAR AVIATION. Premier Air Center, of East Alton, IL (ALN), was founded in 1947, originally as Walston Aviation. After an ownership change in 1987, the name was changed to Premier Air Center. Since then, the company has built a solid reputation for strong technical expertise and personalized customer service for maintenance and refurbishment of corporate aircraft. Similarly, West Star Aviation’s roots extend back to 1952 when the original company, Monarch Aviation, was founded at Walker Field, (GJT) Grand Junction, CO. On May 1, 1987, the Buescher Family of Grand Junction acquired Monarch Aviation and began the transformation of the company from an aviation sales and service business to a top-rated business aircraft maintenance and refurbishment facility. On December 31, 2004 the principals of Premier Air Center acquired West Star Aviation’s Grand Junction, Colorado facility, combining two of the industry’s top, full-service MRO facilities. Continuing with a pattern of planned, aggressive growth, the company established operations at Chattanooga, TN (CHA) in 2015, expanding full-service options throughout the United States. In 2017, West Star Aviation acquired Avant Aerospace, Dallas Aeronautical Services, LLC (DAS) and MSP Aero, which strategically enhanced the company’s capabilities and resources in parts, composite and assembly MRO as well as strengthening satellite maintenance locations. In 2018 West Star Aviation continued this direction and acquired FLITE Components and added its fourth full service MRO at Perryville, MO. West Star Aviation LLC, Avant Aerospace LLC, Dallas Aeronautical Services, LLC (DAS), and FLITE Components, LLC are wholly owned subsidiaries of West Star Aviation Holdings, LLC. Avant, DAS, and FLITE continue to operate under their unique brands while offering West Star Aviation customers their products and capabilities. For more information call 800-922-2421. The investment goes far beyond just facilities. It extends to the essence of these companies – the people. You will not find a more engaged, technically knowledgeable, proficient and personable group of professionals at any other maintenance provider anywhere in the world. The present-day West Star Aviation represents the blending of these industry renowned aviation service companies and the focus to build on and improve the synergies that resulted from the acquisition. Strong technical expertise, experienced employees, attention to detail, along with a constant focus on customer service and satisfaction, remain the staples of the West Star Aviation philosophy. JIM RANKIN CEO 618.225.9707 cell jrankin@wsa.aero JIM SWEHLA Cofounder 618.616.7084 cell jswehla@wsa.aero MICHAEL L. DURST Cofounder 618.616.7082 cell mdurst@wsa.aero SAMUEL A HAYCRAFT Cofounder 618.616.7083 cell shaycraft@wsa.aero KATIE JOHNSON Vice President, Human Resources 618.258.8030 office 314.378.5012 cell katiejohnson@wsa.aero KRAIG MEYER Director of EHS 970.248.5225 office 970.986.1278 cell kmeyer@wsa.aero MARTY RHINE Vice President Sales 618.258.8813 office 618.795.4899 cell mrhine@wsa.aero DEBI CUNNINGHAM Vice President Marketing 217.416.3324 cell dcunningham@wsa.aero TIM SPIHLMAN Chief Financial Officer 314.308.8289 cell tspihlman@wsa.aero SIGN UP TO RECEIVE THE LATEST NEWS WITH WEST STAR AVIATION Email CAPTCHA Review our Privacy Policy © 2021 HOME ABOUT CONNECT NEWS CAREERS GALLERY VIDEOS EMPLOYEE PRIVACY POLICY TERMS & CONDITIONS LOCATIONS EAST ALTON GRAND JUNCTION CHATTANOOGA PERRYVILLE ASPEN CHICAGO DENVER HOUSTON MINNEAPOLIS AIRFRAMES CHALLENGER CITATION CONQUEST EMBRAER FALCON GLOBAL EXPRESS GULFSTREAM HAWKER KING AIR LEARJET PIAGGIO OTHER SERVICES ACCESSORY OVERHAUL AVIONICS AVIONICS SPARES COMPOSITE REPAIR ENGINEERING ENGINES & APU FUEL & RAMP MAINTENANCE AOG/MRT PAINT & INTERIOR PARTS & COMPONENTS WINDOW REPAIR