Staff Report
MT. VERNON — SRT Aviation, the fixed base operator for Mt. Vernon Outland Airport, has achieved FAA Repair Station Status.
The certification allows the SRT Aviation aircraft specialists to work on heavily regulated aircraft airframe, radio and instrument projects.
“This is a huge achievement for SRT Aviation and Mt. Vernon Outland Airport,” Airport Manager Chris Collins said. “The process an aviation maintenance company must go through to earn an FAA Repair Station Certificate is not easy, and the fact that SRT Aviation was able to achieve such a goal in a short amount of time is a reflection of the experience and quality of their personnel.”
FAA Certified Repair Stations are located at some of the St. Louis airports; Paducah, Ky.; and Henderson, Ky. Having an FAA Certified Repair Facility at Mt. Vernon Outland Airport will give aircraft owners from across Southern Illinois an alternative close to home. Because of the stringent requirements placed on FAA Repair Station Certificate holders, most charter, cargo and corporate flight departments only allow aircraft maintenance facilities that hold the certification to perform work on their aircraft.
“A repair station certificate translates to increased maintenance business and prestige for the location,” information from the airport states.
“Our goal was to become an FAA Certified Repair Station in our third year of operation and we succeeded,” SRT Aviation Maintenance Director Shawn Sayle stated.
“The FAA inspectors were impressed with our manuals, facilities, knowledge and professionalism throughout the certification process,” SRT Aviation President Rich Carney added.
SRT Aviation plans to start with Avionics, conducting pitot/static and transponder checks. Although an existing customer base for those services already exists, the company wants to expand its avionics capabilities further.
“Our goal is to be a one stop shop for all things aviation, right here at Mt. Vernon Outland Airport,” Sayle said.
