Taking the Show on the Road to Serve the Customer
July 30, 2024
Flexibility, resourcefulness and a commitment to service are all hallmarks of King Aerospace. The company’s “Roadshow” teams are shining examples of these values, offering expert, on-demand and on-site maintenance and repair services.
Also known across the industry as field teams, the Roadshow concept at King Aerospace first came into being on the company’s commercial operations side around 20 years ago.
“We found that many of our VVIP clients appreciated the option of having their aircraft serviced on location,” says Keith Weaver, vice-president of business development. “But we soon realized that it also made a lot of sense for our government customers.”
Roadshow teams are “our best of the best,” Weaver continues, typically comprised of anywhere from a few expert technicians to as many as a dozen or more. They may spend anywhere from a few days to several months on-site, performing time-sensitive repairs, scheduled maintenance and other tasks requested by the customer.
Often, these assignments are at military installations with King Aerospace personnel working alongside servicemembers who share the same, “no excuses” mindset for completing the mission.
“Many of our employees are former military, so they are very familiar with that culture and, specifically, the military aviation culture,” says Greg Mitchell, vice president of government services and a retired U.S. Navy captain. “They understand what our servicemembers are working to achieve and there’s excellent synergy between our team and their team.”
These team members will soon sport dedicated “King Aerospace Roadshow” wings, similar to those earned by employees at company-owned facilities.
“It means they’re a special member of our team, going into environments that may not be familiar with King Aerospace,” says company president Jarid King. “Those wings symbolize our culture and show our appreciation for all those who support our values, principles and passion.”
On-Demand, Specialized Service
In late 2023, King Aerospace Roadshow professionals were called upon to provide specialized periodic depot maintenance (PDM) on U.S. military aircraft based on a widebody commercial platform. Weaver notes this opportunity came at just the right moment for both King Aerospace and the customer.
“With the sundowning of the SEMA program and the U.S. Army divesting of those aircraft, we had a lot of excellent, highly experienced people facing loss of employment,” he says. “At almost the same time, our client had an immediate need for on-site support. It was kind of perfect timing; they needed us, and we needed them.”
That initial team of 6-7 technicians successfully returned the customer’s aircraft to service at the end of the year. That led to several additional opportunities that have kept the King Aerospace Roadshow busy this year, with teams now working at two military installations in the Midwest.
“They’ve performed inspections of fuel tanks and wing/body fairings,” Weaver explains. “Sometimes they’re in the cockpit replacing sensors that aren’t working or troubleshooting other electronic equipment on the aircraft.” The teams are also looking to expand into on-site interior work.
Each location has unique requirements that are best addressed by a specialized team, freeing other on-site personnel to handle other duties. “We’re kind of a relief valve,” Mitchell says. “In the heavy maintenance cycle there are needs best suited for the depot level. Our Roadshow teams augment their personnel and free them up for other tasks.”
Good Work Leads to More Work
Based on the impressive results from these Roadshow missions, King Aerospace will next provide on-site services on a unique, high visibility and very specialized aircraft scheduled to arrive at a customer location later this year.
“We appreciate this expanded opportunity to make a positive difference for our customer, earn a fair profit and touch lives,” King says. “Our teams, wearing their Roadshow wings, continue the King Aerospace legacy of service to God, Country and Family.”
Weaver notes the team is in the pre-planning phase to get ready for the aircraft’s arrival. “The customer specifically requested our Roadshow team to be on site by mid-July to ready the facility,” he adds, “for what will be around 18 months of heavy maintenance and a complete interior refresh.”
The Roadshow team is expected to significantly expand as well, Weaver adds, from a few dozen to as many as 125 specialized maintenance technicians. They’ll be led by a familiar face: Ron Soret, a longtime industry veteran and friend of King Aerospace.
Soret previously served as president – and later executive vice-president – of King Aerospace Commercial Corporation (KACC). His more than 30 years in the industry also includes serving as chief operating officer for San Antonio-based Gore Design, vice president of operations for Associated Air Center and positions of increasing responsibility with The Dee Howard Company.
A licensed private pilot and an airframe and powerplant (A&P) technician, Soret is currently senior director, special projects for a large aerospace firm. “We’re pleased to again be working with Ron on this important project,” Weaver says. “He has tremendous knowledge of this process and is the perfect fit for this program.”