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) in Boise, Idaho, announced today the company obtained a supplemental type certificate (STC) from the FAA for NVIS (Night Vision Imaging System) use on the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. The aircraft, owned by Firehawk Helicopters (Firehawk) with a base also in Boise, will be used for firefighting.

Being able to see in the dark has revolutionized the way helicopters are operated. Emma Kelly talks to some of the companies that provide night vision technology about developments in the field. 

Click here to read more from ASU contributors Chad St. Francis, director of military programs, and Daniel Burnham, director of sales, provide insights on topics including white phosphor and weight advantages.

The Talon Helicopters AS365 Dauphin equipped with Aviation Specialties Unlimited, Inc. night vision lighting is ready to battle fires at all hours—the first of its kind approved in Canada. 

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.

Aviation Specialties Unlimited, Inc. (ASU) announced today that ASU President Jim Winkel will retire at the end of 2020. Winkel has served as the President of ASU since September of 2013 and his remarkable career in the night vision industry spaned nearly four decades. 

2020 marks ASU's 25th year of providing everything from NVIS products and training to modifications, support, and much more. We remain committed to our customers - real people completing real missions around the world.

Aviation Specialties Unlimited, (ASU) was awarded the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Flight Standards Operations Inspectors and Aircraft Certification Pilots night vision goggle (NVG) contract while operating fixed-wing aircraft. ASU will provide both initial training and recurrent training to FAA beginning July 1, 2020.  ASU initially began training the FAA in 2017, when they were awarded the first fixed-wing training contract. ASU first started training FAA pilots on helicopters in 2007.

To serve the training needs of first responders and essential staff flying at night using NVGs, Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU), announced today that they have developed a new instructor led web-based offering for required recurrent ground training.  

During the unprecedented events in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU) has maintained its unwavering commitment to customers while making significant strides to protect their employees and all those with whom they interact.  

“While remaining vigilant, our customer commitment has not changed. To maintain business continuity, we have taken steps to protect our staff by allowing many to telework and staggering shifts for others,” said Vice President of Administration Hannah Gordon.