BOISE, Idaho, June 1, 2022—Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU) announced that 21-year ASU veteran, Kip McDermott, has been promoted to Vice President of Aviation Operations.
“Kip has been part of the ASU team since 2001. As one of the first employees of ASU, Kip has the institutional and industry experience to grow ASU’s existing training and flight operations,” said ASU President Dr. Joseph Estrera. Over the years, ASU has consistently relied on Kip for critical strategic and management oversight. Whether it’s ensuring an aircraft is operationally ready, conducting training, and pursuing his DER qualification, Kip has used his skills and talent to elevate ASU.”
The new position and newly created ASU Aviation Operations organization was established as a strategic consolidation of Aviation Services and Aircraft Services. The new organization encompasses NVG training, air carrier operations, contract maintenance, repair station, certification, and the NVG Service Center. In his new role with ASU, McDermott will provide leadership for the training and flight operations departments and organizational leadership for the long-term success of ASU.
Before receiving the promotion, McDermott served as the Vice President of Engineering and Executive Director of Business Development. He received his Airframe and Powerplant Certification in 1992 and Avionics and Electronics of America Inspection Authorization in 2002.
McDermott also served as a crew chief on various airframes, including the UH-1H, UH-60, and CH-47D, during his time in the United States Army and at Dyncorp Aerospace in Mannheim, Germany.
In recent months, McDermott has helped ASU advance several company initiatives, including working with operators to obtain EASA STCs on numerous aircraft. When McDermott started with ASU, he played a vital role in establishing proven night vision modification methodologies for aircraft lighting and streamlining certification.
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Published in AirMed&Rescue magazine by Mario Pierobon
Mario Pierobon looks at how training on the use of night vision goggles plays a significant role in framing their proper use by crews
Night vision goggles (NVG) are being increasingly used by helicopter as a standard practice for night operations, especially during rescues. Considering that the use of NVGs is safety sensitive, training on their use plays a significant role in framing the proper use of the goggles by crews...
Read the full article in AirMed&Rescue Magazine
BOISE, Idaho, May 3, 2022—Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU) announced that it has received ISO 9001:2015 Certification on April 25.
Performance Review Institute (PRI) Registrar recognized ASU for having met the stringent requirements of this international standard, their ongoing commitment to satisfying stakeholders, and their dedication to continual improvement of their management system.
“ASU’s ISO 9001: 2015 Certification is a significant accomplishment for our organization that demonstrates our dedication to quality and continuous improvement. The team has invested significant time and energy into a robust quality management system to produce exceptional products with the highest quality standards that exceed our customers’ expectations,” said ASU President Dr. Joseph Estrera.
Before obtaining the certification, ASU hired Brian Davis as their new Quality Manager. Davis brought more than 20 years of experience in manufacturing and quality to the new role on the ASU team. With a degree in Electrical Engineering, he has previously served in multiple positions where he streamlined processes, reduced waste, and improved quality. Before joining ASU, Davis worked as a Manufacturing Engineer, Quality Engineer, and most recently, the Director of Manufacturing for a local supplier to ASU.
“ASU has demonstrated its commitment to world-class quality and environmental management by implementing and becoming certified to the ISO 9001:2015 Certification standards. They have joined an elite number of organizations worldwide who have achieved certification to this globally recognized standard,” said Randy Daugharthy, Director of the Registrar Program at the Performance Review Institute Registrar. “PRI Registrar is proud to partner with ASU in this accomplishment and look forward to the continued support of their objective of quality/environmental excellence.”
ASU Chief Operations Officer Hannah Gordon led the push for certification—laying the groundwork by implementing numerous quality assurance, customer service, and enterprise resource planning initiatives.
“Brian is a vital part of ASU’s efforts to add greater value to our customers,” said Gordon. “He brings extensive experience in ISO 9001:2015 Certification. His 20 years of manufacturing standardization and quality improvement will help ASU to continually improve our manufacturing processes and deliver products that meet and exceed the highest quality standards.”
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View ASU's Certification
About Aviation Specialties Unlimited:
For more than 25 years, Aviation Specialties Unlimited Inc. (ASU) has proudly served those who protect and defend worldwide with Night Vision Solutions that Save Lives! Their experienced team supports safe and sustainable night vision programs with military-grade NVGs, flexible training, and custom aircraft lighting modifications to fit your needs. For more information, call +1 208-426-8117 or visit asu-nvg.com.
About PRI Registrar Since 1995, Performance Review Institute Registrar, a management systems registrar, has helped a multitude of organizations achieve and realize their true potential through the development of management systems and quality systems certification. As an affiliate of SAE International, PRI Registrar is a not-for-profit organization, uniquely motivated with a mission and commitment to raise the bar in any industry it serves. To learn more information, visit www.priregistrar.org or contact PRI Registrar at priregistrar@p-r-i.org today.
In celebration of World Trade Month during the month of May, the U.S. Commercial service will be hosting Export Week through May 2nd to May 6th, 2022. ASU was recently recognized by U.S. Commercial Services as Exporter of the Month in April. ASU is proud to be working with the U.S. Commercial Service and Idaho Commerce to support our international market entry and sales growth.
ASU utilizes Idaho's State Trade Expansion Program grants to grow their markets and recently had success through an International Partner Search service in Australia to make a sale through a new representative our research identified. ASU is active in Europe, Southeast Asia and the Middle East and recently participated in the SHOT Show and Singapore Air Show working with the U.S. Commercial Service and Idaho Commerce to support their international market entry and sales growth.
Learn more about ASU Reps
Training pilots in flight with a visor-based training device to overcome confusion from the visual and vestibular systems in degraded visual environments (DVE).