Kerry Lynch stepped into the role of editor of the&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;monthly magazine in May 2022 after serving with&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;for eight years. She joined&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;in December 2014 as a senior editor covering Washington and business aviation news. She has also served on Convention News teams, including as editor of&nbsp;HAI Convention News. Lynch previously spent 25 years with Aviation Week. During her time there, she reported for and later steered&nbsp;The Weekly of Business Aviation, oversaw business aviation content on the&nbsp;Aviation Week Intelligence Network, served on the&nbsp;Show News&nbsp;staff, and held roles as the Washington columnist for&nbsp;Business &amp; Commercial Aviation&nbsp;and&nbsp;Overhaul &amp; Maintenance&nbsp;monthly magazines. In 2021 she was honored with the National Business Aviation Association Platinum Wing Award for lifetime achievement in journalism and was the 2004 recipient of the National Air Transportation Association’s Aviation Journalism Excellence Award. She also has been a recipient of an Aerospace Media Award for business aviation (2022) and NBAA Gold Wing Award (2003, 2024). Lynch graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor of arts in journalism.

Editor, AIN monthly magazine

Kerry Lynch

West Star Aviation specializes in airframe repair and maintenance, engine repair and maintenance, major modifications, avionics installation and repair, interior refurbishment, paint, parts, surplus avionics sales, window repair and accessory services.

West Star Aviation was designated as an authorized overhaul facility for Embraer Praetor and Legacy landing gear under a strategic partnership with Héroux-Devtek. The designation covers the Legacy 450 and 500, as well as Praetor 500 and 600, and builds on West Star Aviation’s capabilities as an Embraer-authorized aircraft maintenance facility.
“Adding landing gear capabilities to West Star’s in-house portfolio of services will…shorten the overall turnaround time and ensure an outstanding customer experience,” said Marc-Olivier Gagnon, v-p of engineering and product support for Héroux-Devtek.
West Star brings a range of capabilities to support its latest designation, including collaborative training to ensure it meets Embraer’s specification and Héroux-Devtek’s standards, a dedicated cadmium plating line with a chemistry lab for precise corrosion treatment, and advanced paint removal and cleaning processes, among others.
As it grows its capabilities, West Star has been expanding its space to accommodate the work. It previously announced plans to add 40,000 sq ft of hangar space and 38,000 sq ft for office and back shop needs at its Grand Junction, Colorado site, along with additional ramp space. And in Chattanooga, Tennessee, West Star is planning for a 120,000-sq-ft expansion.
“However, what excites us even more than the physical expansion is the incredible talent we are bringing on board,” the company said, noting its concerted effort to bring customer-focused team members aboard this year, as well as foster careers of existing staff.
These moves included the promotion of Steve Blume to technical sales manager for Bombardier; David Feuerhak, technical sales manager specializing in paint and interior; Lance Anderson, technical sales manager for Citation; John Driehuis, technical sales manager for Falcon; Kelley Pitts, technical sales manager for paint and interior; Nicholas Morrow, technical sales manager for paint and interior; and Mark Crotty, business development manager for Embraer.

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

West Star Growing Authorizations, Facilities, Team

West Star is authorized Embraer Legacy/Praetor overhaul facility

West Star Aviation was named an authorized Embraer Legacy/Praetor overhaul facility as it grows its facilities and talent.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Three global warehouses maintain inventory of about 150,000 parts

Parts Flying Out of Massive Textron Aviation Warehouse

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Projects help customers improve efficiency and safety

 Alpine Aerotech STCs EFIS for Bells, Bear Paw for H145

Charles Alcock

Hangar complex at Subic Bay International Airport will increase business jet support 

ACTSI Starts Work on Expanded Philippines MRO Facility

Curt Epstein

The network offers swift response times for AOG and remote maintenance needs

Crew Chiefs Launches Worldwide Mx Response Network

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

MRO center at Melbourne Orlando International Airport officially opened this week

Dassault Opens Falcon MRO Facility in Florida

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

NBAA-BACE 2025

In this article

West Star Aviation

More In Maintenance and Modifications

Parts Flying Out of Massive Textron Aviation Warehouse

Three global warehouses maintain inventory of about 150,000 parts

Alpine Aerotech STCs EFIS for Bells, Bear Paw for H145

Projects help customers improve efficiency and safety

ACTSI Starts Work on Expanded Philippines MRO Facility

Hangar complex at Subic Bay International Airport will increase business jet support

Crew Chiefs Launches Worldwide Mx Response Network

The network offers swift response times for AOG and remote maintenance needs

Dassault Opens Falcon MRO Facility in Florida

MRO center at Melbourne Orlando International Airport officially opened this week

AMAC Replaces Halon Extinguishers as MRO Roles Expand

Company is now also busy with pre-purchase inspections and Starlink installations

Gulfstream Adds Repair and Overhaul Facility in Dallas-Fort Worth Area

Specializes in component services

Aero-Dienst Establishes Spare Parts Outlet in Florida

German company may add maintenance, repair, and overhaul capacity in the U.S. market

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