A Brief Company History

Westwind History ► The purpose of this lesson is to present the pilot with a brief overview of the history of Westwind Aviation, Inc.

Westwind Company History 1986  Ron Haarer Sr. is Division President for Estes Homes.  Ron invests in Aircraft Engineering Services, a small maintenance shop at DVT.  DVT has no operating FBO.  City of Phoenix sells fuel on field.  Present FBO building sits empty.

Westwind Company History 1987  AES is moved to present FBO building.  Ron invests in Kachina Air Service, a small rental company at DVT.

Westwind Company History 1988  Ron wins the right to sell fuel on field.  Ron buys Sunburst Aviation and moves it to the FBO building.  Ron buys out partners in AES and Kachina and names the new organization Westwind Aviation, Inc.  The new Westwind now has 7 aircraft and 2 mechanics.

Westwind Company History 1990  Ron has an investment of over $1,000,000. in Westwind Aviation, Inc.  Ron resigns his position with Estes Homes to take over management of Westwind.

Westwind Company History 1991  Lonnie Roberts, the owner of a small charter company in Scottsdale, contacts Ron about using some of his aircraft for Part 135 charter.  Flightquest enters into an agreement to lease several of Westwind’s aircraft.

Westwind Company History 1992  Flightquest encounters financial difficulties and declares bankruptcy.  Westwind continues to operate the charter business under the Flightquest certificate.  Lonnie Roberts is retained as a consultant to Westwind.

Westwind Company History 1993  Aeromec Aviation, is a successful flight training school at Scottsdale airport owned by Bill Preece.  Aeromec is sold to new owners who quickly drive it toward bankruptcy.  Jerry Griffin, the marketing director for Aeromec enters into a business relationship with Westwind.  Westwind Aviation Academy is born.

Westwind Company History 1994  Westwind applies for its own Part 135 air carrier certificate and is soon granted one by the FAA.  Westwind Aviation, Inc. now operates its own charter business under its own name.  Westwind charter operates a variety of single engine Cessna piston aircraft.

Westwind Company History 1997  Scenic Airlines closes it’s Sedona operation.  Westwind opens up an office in Sedona. Two aircraft and four pilots are based in Sedona.  Due to a lack of profitability the Sedona operation is shut down in 2001.

Westwind Company History 1998  Ron sells out his share of Westwind Academy to Jerry Griffin.  The Academy will soon be bought out by Pan Am Flight Training Center and relocated on the East side of the airport entrance in a brand new facility.  Westwind Charter purchases it’s first Cessna Caravan.

Westwind Company History 1999  Ron starts a new flight training school.  Westwind School of Aeronautics enrolls it’s first students. Jerry Dilk is the school’s director.  A second Caravan is on order.

Westwind Company History 2000  The new hanger is built

Westwind Company History 2001  Lake Powell Air in Page files bankruptcy.  Westwind enters into an agreement to perform all flight operations for Lake Powell Air.  Westwind has option to purchase Lake Powell Air.  Westwind shuts down Sedona operation.

Westwind Company History 2002  Westwind purchases Lake Powell Air and its Grand Canyon overflights.  Westwind begins operations in Page as “Westwind-Lake Powell Air Tours” and locates at Classic Aviation.

Westwind Company History 2004  Westwind moves into the terminalbuilding at Page Municipal Airport.  Westwind opens the gift shop in March of 2004.

Westwind Company History 2005  Westwind begins operating its Caravans SEIFR, passenger carrying under Part 135.  Westwind begins operations in to Mexico

Westwind Company History  Westwind retains the flight school and charter operation.  Ron sells the FBO to Trajen.  Trajen sells to Atlantic. 2006

Westwind Company History 2008  Westwind begins operating a Pilatus on its Part 135 Certificate

Westwind Company History 2009  Westwind opens a base at the Grand Canyon Airport & rents housing for its employees

Westwind Company History 2010  Westwind now operates: 6 - caravans, 6 - caravans, 's, 's,

Westwind Company History 2013  Ron Haarer Sr. passes away

Westwind Company History 2014  Westwind once again opens a base at the Sedona Airport

Westwind Company History The End