BOISE, Idaho, July 13, 2022—Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU) announced that ASU veteran Tony Tsantles was promoted to FAA Part 135 Director of Operations.
“Tony has led the ASU training team through many successes worldwide. They have included the award and performance of multiple FAA training contracts, ongoing training with the Irish Air Corps, and unmatched custom training for air medical, law enforcement, and firefighting aircrews in the Treasure Valley’s diverse terrain,” said ASU Vice President of Aviation Operations Kip McDermott. “With more than 20 years of experience operating with night vision goggles, as both a crewmember and pilot, Tony has brought professionalism and expertise to our team and our customers, ensuring the safe and effective use of NVGs.”
The FAA mandated and approved position is critical in overseeing part 135 operations, including night vision training and aircraft maintenance. In his new role, Tsantles will bring valued know-how to the leadership team and lead new aviation initiatives as ASU continues to evolve.
Before joining the ASU here in Boise, Tsantles spent over twenty years developing his credentials in the U.S. Army. He spent nearly half of that time as an instructor, both as a crewmember and pilot. This unique background of functioning in both instructor roles has given him the ability to adapt quickly in civil instruction, particularly where he’s training pilots and crewmembers collectively, including EMS, law enforcement, and select groups. His Army career, spanning two decades, allowed the capability to work with two Army workhorse aircraft, the UH-1H “Huey” and UH-60A/L/M “Blackhawk,” both of which employ rather complex systems that prepared him well for the dynamic civil industry he now manages. Having spent much of his time in the military—11 years—in EMS, he is quite familiar with the challenges that can affect our civil EMS pilots and crews. Although he’s no longer being asked to fly in combat, with two trips overseas as a MEDEVAC pilot, he’s certainly ready for the new challenges ahead.
“I guess it’s rare to catch me speechless, but I may be just that. I love this organization and what we stand for; the core of what we believe is genuinely centered around the safety of aviators and crews,” said Tsantles. “I want to acknowledge our history with reverence and continue to focus on the future with partnerships in training, education, and culture.”
In recent months, Tsantles has spearheaded several educational engagement initiatives, including two such events, the Air Medical Transportation Conference and Heli-Expo trade shows.
Later this month, Tsantles will be instructing several courses at the Airborne Public Safety Convention in Reno, Nevada, from July 27 to 29. The sessions include a technical presentation on Spatial disorientation and NVGs with co-presenter Tyson Phillips of AT Systems Friday, July 29 at 11 a.m. and an education session at 3:30 p.m. on NVGs—Keeping it Cloud Free. ASU will also host a happy hour at ASU booth 322 on Thursday, July 28 noon to 4 p.m. See more APSCON details here.
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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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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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.
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Training pilots in flight with a visor-based training device to overcome confusion from the visual and vestibular systems in degraded visual environments (DVE).
Aviation Specialties Unlimited, Inc. (ASU), a trusted provider that’s been enhancing pilot visual acuity with night vision solutions for more than 25 years, has partnered with a training device innovator, AT Systems, to turn the tides—obscuring pilot sight—in the name of safety.
Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU) in Boise, Idaho, announced today the company was given the Seven Seals Awards from the Employer Support of Guard and Reserve (ESGR), for the company’s efforts to support ASU employees in the National Guard and Reserves.
Irish Air Corps (IAC), based at Casement Aerodome, Baldonnel Co. Dublin, Ireland, recently continued additional NVIS training with Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU).
Aviation Specialties Unlimited, Inc. (ASU) announced today that ASU Director of Business Development and Military Programs Chad St. Francis is being promoted to Vice President of Business Development and Marketing. The company also announced the addition of Dan Meyer as the company’s new senior director of sales and customer service.
Aviation Specialties Unlimited, (ASU) announced today that Joe Estrera, PhD., will be the new president of ASU and Hannah Gordon will be promoted as the new chief operating officer upon the retirement of ASU President Jim Winkle at the end of the year. Estrera previously served as the vice president and chief technology officer. Gordon previously served as vice president of administration and sales. In partnership, Estrera will lead strategy and outward operations while Gordon will direct internal operations.