Pro Star Aviation Archives

Londonderry, NH – Pro Star Aviation completed its first Starlink installation on a Falcon 2000 in early January. This marks the first time the aircraft has been modified following the release of Dassault’s OEM-designed Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the platform. The STC is the first OEM-developed Starlink retrofit solution available to independent service centers supporting the Falcon fleet.

Unlike other Starlink retrofit options delivered by third-party providers, the Dassault-designed solution features a streamlined installation that integrates seamlessly with the aircraft’s structure while preserving its aerodynamic profile. The system delivers the same high-speed, low-latency connectivity that operators expect from Starlink while maintaining a design approach consistent with Falcon aircraft.

“The design is sleek and elegant, much like the Falcon aircraft itself,” said Jeff Shaw, Pro Star’s Director of Sales & Marketing. “Because the antenna location and installation architecture are consistent across multiple Falcon platforms, it creates a practical solution for service centers and operators alike.”

Building on the initial Falcon 2000 installation, Pro Star has already completed its first Starlink installation on a Falcon 7X, with a second installation scheduled for completion by the end of the month.

As demand for high-speed connectivity continues to grow, Pro Star Aviation is expanding its Starlink installation capability across multiple Falcon platforms, providing operators with a standardized retrofit path through the authorized service center network.

Pro Star Aviation, headquartered at the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (KMHT) in New Hampshire with locations in Grand Rapids, Michigan (KGRR), and Portland, Maine (KPWM), is a recognized leader in maintenance, modernization, engineering, and aircraft sales solutions for business aviation. A factory-authorized service center for Dassault Falcon Jet, Embraer, and Pilatus, Pro Star provides disciplined MRO services and extends its technical capabilities across avionics upgrades, in-flight connectivity solutions, and special mission aircraft modifications. With proven capacity to manage complex projects and provide targeted solutions for unique operational requirements, the company stands apart through its engineering depth, certification expertise, and rapid AOG support. Pro Star is part of the Laughlin Family Aviation Group, founded in 1948, and has additional operations in FBO, airline services, and aircraft de-icing. https://www.prostaraviation.com

For additional information, please contact:
Jeff Shaw, Director of Sales & Marketing
603-627-7827
jeff@prostaraviation.com

In aviation maintenance, training is often discussed in terms of compliance. Regulations require it, documentation tracks it, and audits confirm it. But inside a maintenance hangar, training represents something more. It signifies a constant investment in the technicians responsible for returning aircraft to service safely.

That philosophy sits at the very center of the FAA’s Aviation Maintenance Technician Awards Program (AMT), where the highest level of employer recognition is the FAA Diamond Award of Excellence. The award is reserved for organizations where every eligible maintenance technician completes FAA-approved recurrent training within the calendar year. It is a benchmark that requires both coordination and company-wide collaboration.

In 2025, Pro Star Aviation’s locations in both Manchester, NH and Grand Rapids, MI achieved that standard. For aircraft owners and operators, the meaning behind this recognition is straightforward. For Pro Star’s General Manager, Sean Peterson, the award reflects a level of team participation that goes far beyond basic regulatory compliance.

“Earning the FAA Diamond Award demonstrates that we achieved 100% participation from every technician and supervisor in completing advanced, FAA-approved training,” Peterson explains. “This recognition signifies that we went well beyond the minimum regulatory requirements to ensure our team is highly trained, deeply knowledgable, and fully committed to maintaining the highest standards of competency and professionalism.”

In business aviation, where aircraft systems continue to evolve and new technologies are regularly introduced, maintaining that level of knowledge requires continuous learning. Modern business jets require increasingly advanced avionics, connectivity systems, and complex aircraft management technologies, all of which demand specialized training long after technicians first earn their Airframe and Powerplant certification.

Programs recognized under the Federal Aviation Administration training initiative encourage technicians to complete approved coursework throughout the year, resulting in an individual Aviation Maintenance Technician Certificate of Training. Achieving the Diamond Award means that an entire maintenance organization has completed that process. At Pro Star Aviation, Peterson says the recognition represents a culture that places hard work and integrity at the center of operations.

“The FAA Diamond Award is a direct reflection of Pro Star Aviation’s culture of accountability, professionalism, and continued improvement,” Peterson notes. “Achieving this level of recognition demonstrates that our team doesn’t just talk about quality and safety–we invest in them, prioritize them, and live them every day.”

The milestone carries particular significance in Michigan. Pro Star’s Grand Rapids facility recently celebrated its first anniversary, making the 2025 recognition an early indicator of the standards the team is building. For Grand Rapids’ Director of Maintenance and Operations Manager, Jeremy Mangum, the award reflects a deliberate effort to prioritize training opportunities that directly benefit customers. He also notes that the team has taken advantage of opportunities to attend OEM, AAEA, and FAA-sponsored training events to ensure technicians are gaining knowledge that directly supports the aircraft and the operators they serve.

“This has allowed us to not just take any training that ‘meets the requirements’, but training that directly applies to the support of our customers and the values and goals of Pro Star Aviation,” Mangum says.

Behind the recognition is also a significant investment of time and effort from the technicians themselves. Peterson notes that many team members balanced demanding schedules and deadlines while simultaneously completing the required coursework.

“This achievement was the result of a focused, organization-wide commitment to training, professional development, and operational excellence,” Peterson says. “Our technicians and supervisors dedicated significant time to completing advanced FAA-approved coursework, often alongside demanding project schedules.”

Ultimately, awards like the FAA Diamond recognition serve as a visible benchmark for something that happens behind the scenes every day: technicians investing in their knowledge so they can continue delivering the level of precision and reliability that modern aircraft maintenance demands. When that commitment spans across an entire organization, the impact is bound to extend far beyond the hangar floor.

Londonderry, NH and Grand Rapids, MI – Pro Star Aviation is proud to announce that both its Manchester, New Hampshire and Grand Rapids, Michigan facilities have received the FAA Diamond Award of Excellence (AMT Employer Level) for 2025. This marks the first time both locations have earned the distinction together in the same year.

Presented by the FAA as part of its Aviation Maintenance Technician Awards Program, the Diamond Award represents the highest level of employer recognition under the program. To qualify, 100% of a company’s eligible aviation maintenance technicians must complete FAA-approved recurrent training and receive an individual AMT Certificate of Training within a calendar year.

“This is not the first time our Manchester facility has earned the FAA Diamond Award,” said Jeff Shaw, Pro Star’s Director of Sales & Marketing. “That consistency reflects our long-standing commitment to safety-focused training, regulatory compliance, and investing in our technicians.”

While Manchester has previously received the recognition, 2025 marks the first time the Grand Rapids facility has achieved the honor, marking a significant milestone just over one year after beginning operations.

“Following the celebration of our first anniversary, this recognition confirms that our Grand Rapids team is building on a strong foundation,” said Jeremy Mangum, Director of Maintenance and Operations Manager in Grand Rapids. “It reflects the professionalism and dedication of our technicians and reinforces our commitment to delivering the highest level of quality to business jet owners.”

With 100% technician participation in approved recurrent training in both its New Hampshire and Michigan facilities, Pro Star Aviation demonstrates a consistent, company-wide commitment to workforce development and safety excellence. That unified standard reflects the company’s ongoing effort to meet and exceed FAA maintenance training requirements, supporting the reliability and performance expectations of today’s business aviation operators.

For additional information, please contact:
Jeff Shaw, Director of Sales & Marketing
603-627-7827
jeff@prostaraviation.com

While our Michigan facility officially opened in May of 2025, the reality is that Grand Rapids began operating much earlier, with a soft opening in February of last year. As the location reaches its first anniversary, I spoke with Grand Rapids’ Director of Maintenance and Operations Manager Jeremy Mangum, Vice President at Pro Star Pilatus Center Mike Kenny, and President at Northeast Air Jesse Laughlin about the facility’s first year in operation. Together, we reflected on the path it took to get here and what that progress has meant for Pilatus owners in the Midwest.

That reflection begins with why Grand Rapids was chosen in the first place. From a strategic standpoint, Pro Star’s decision to establish a presence in Grand Rapids was rooted in its role supporting Pilatus sales and service across the Northeastern territory, including Michigan. “As the Pilatus brand continued to gain market share in the U.S., it became imperative that we expand our service and support capabilities,” Mike Kenny noted. With facilities already established in Manchester, NH and Portland, ME, Grand Rapids represented a logical westward expansion.

For Jeremy Mangum, the appeal of Grand Rapids was more personal. Jeremy joined Pro Star in August of 2024, which allowed him to be a part of the facility’s story from the very beginning. What initially attracted him to the role was the rare opportunity to build a maintenance facility from the ground up. “That doesn’t happen very often in this industry,” he said. In this case, ‘building from the ground up’ wasn’t a figure of speech. In the early months, he was working out of a construction trailer while the hangar was still taking shape.

At the same time, Jeremy was focused on building the right team, as well as defining what the Grand Rapids facility should represent. When doors first opened in Michigan, the operation consisted of four mechanics, an office manager, a chief inspector, and Jeremy himself. One year later, the facility has more than doubled in size, adding mechanics, avionics support, and additional resources as demand increased. According to Mike Kenny, that growth validated the original plan for Grand Rapids. “The response from our customers in the region surpassed our expectations,” he said. “The team has really stepped up to deliver the highest quality for our customers.”

Several milestones marked that progress along the way. The arrival of the first aircraft into the hangar was a big one. Seeing the hangar filled with PC-12 and PC-24 aircraft soon followed, something Mike described as a particularly meaningful moment for him. Jeremy echoed that sentiment, recalling the first time the hangar reached full capacity as a clear indicator that the operation had found its footing. In that moment, standing over the mezzanine and looking out over the hangar floor, Jeremy saw a tangible reminder of just how far the facility had come in such a short period of time. That scene has since become familiar, reflecting the sustained success Grand Rapids has achieved in its first year.

As with any serious undertaking, those milestones were also accompanied by early challenges. Jeremy was candid about the learning curves that come with launching a new operation. In the early months, the team often found themselves reacting–realizing they needed a specific tool, a new vendor relationship, or a refined process after encountering a real-world scenario. Jesse Laughlin resonated with these early struggles, noting that even with careful planning, some things can only be learned once operations are underway. “We learned what we didn’t know,” he said. “But we’re quick learners, and we focus on continuous improvement.” What helped, according to all three, was collaboration. Support from experienced teams, open communication with the FAA, and a shared commitment to doing things the right way created a strong foundation for Grand Rapids.

Looking ahead, the outlook is optimistic. Jeremy’s focus remains on refining capabilities and ensuring the facility continues to meet customer needs as demand grows. Mike sees Grand Rapids becoming “a solid member of the global Pilatus support community,” while Jesse emphasized that long-term success really comes down to people. “The success of a new location hinges on having the right individuals in the right seats,” he said. “That’s what we’re seeing in Grand Rapids.” One year in, the facility continues to evolve with intention, transparency, and a never-ending willingness to learn. As growth continues into the future, Grand Rapids stands as a testament to what can be achieved when leadership, team expertise, and customer focus come together through steady effort and collaboration.

Last January, I attempted to predict what the coming year might look like for business aviation. As post-COVID growth began to subside in 2024, I anticipated a year defined more by consistency than expansion. That expectation largely proved accurate, with flight activity remaining steady throughout 2025, consistent with industry forecasts predicting only marginal year-over-year growth.

I did, however, highlight two clear caveats to this general trend: the continued rise of LEO technology and the growing challenge of parts obsolescence. Both factors had a meaningful impact on the industry, particularly in driving maintenance demand, as parts availability remained strained and LEO connectivity adoption rapidly accelerated. What I did not fully anticipate in my predictions was the extent to which shifting and unpredictable tariff policies would disrupt the aviation landscape in 2025.

While the tariffs themselves were not entirely unexpected, the pace and variability of their implementation created challenges that were difficult to model in advance. Ever-changing timelines, fluid percentages, and evolving country-specific rules significantly impacted cost and availability of aircraft and parts, particularly for platforms manufactured outside the United States. This instability made accurate pricing and delivery forecasting extremely difficult and, in some cases, delayed aircraft deliveries that had previously been considered straightforward.

Fortunately, however, as 2025 came to a close, much of that uncertainty began to subside. Many aviation-related components were exempted under existing trade agreements, and previously problematic tariffs (most notably those affecting Swiss-manufactured aircraft) were eliminated, restoring a degree of predictability heading into 2026.

Looking ahead to 2026, I expect many of the core themes from 2025 to persist. Business aviation utilization is likely to remain relatively stable, extending the flat utilization trends seen over the past year rather than entering a new growth phase. Parts obsolescence will most certainly remain a central challenge. As I noted last year, components are becoming obsolete more quickly, largely due to reliance on commercially available products with shorter practical lifespans.

In 2026, waiting for a part to fail before addressing it is simply no longer a viable strategy. Flight departments that anticipate and schedule replacements for potentially obsolete components will reduce the risk of unplanned downtime and ensure that aircraft will remain operational. In short, proactive planning is essential for operators moving forward.

There is also no denying the momentum of LEO technology entering the new year. While competitors like Gogo are working toward certifications, with new forces like Amazon Leo (previously Project Kuiper) planning to enter the market, Starlink continues to remain the clear front-runner. This is really due to the head start the company has, as aviation-specific solutions for newcomers in the LEO space remain years away from widespread adoption. For operators in 2026, the timing of installations will be critical.

As this technology continues to grow in popularity, it makes sense that installations will continue to expand throughout the year. While this, of course, is a positive for the industry, limited MRO capacity and inventory issues are going to make it more difficult to schedule downtime to adopt the new technology. Just a year ago, it was not uncommon to schedule a Starlink installation within a couple of weeks. In 2026, a similar installation will likely take months of planning. This again signifies the importance of pre-planning and proactivity for aircraft operators this year.

For Pro Star, 2026 will continue to be defined by strategic evolution across facilities, aircraft types, and connectivity solutions. The Grand Rapids location will further establish itself as a Pilatus Center of Excellence, while Pilatus work in Manchester will increasingly be replaced with Falcon and larger-cabin aircraft support. This shift reflects the growing demand for more complex maintenance and upgrade services coming into the new year.

Connectivity adoption will also remain a central focus. By the end of Q1 in 2026, every aircraft type within Pro Star’s supported portfolio will have a viable LEO solution available. Many routine maintenance events will include companion connectivity installations, allowing operators to address multiple needs during a single downtime period. This integrated approach will help to minimize unplanned disruptions and improve scheduling efficiency for flight departments. Operators who coordinate in advance will see the most reliable results, while Pro Star will continue to position its facilities and teams to meet the increasing complexity and demand across its aircraft portfolio throughout the coming year.

Grand Rapids, MI – Pro Star Pilatus Center, an Authorized Pilatus Sales & Service Center, is proud to have played a key role in the delivery of the first Pilatus PC-12 PRO to a U.S. customer. This milestone reinforces Pro Star’s leadership in supporting Pilatus aircraft and its commitment to bringing next-generation capability to operators across the country.

The aircraft was delivered to owners Ravi and Pheroza Arcot at Pilatus’ North American headquarters in Broomfield, Colorado, and will be based in the Northeastern United States. “I’m honored to deliver the first PC-12 PRO to the U.S. market,” said Michael Kenny, Vice President at the Pro Star Pilatus Center. “This amazing airplane is a supreme example of safety, technology, and exceptional operating economics. Pilatus has once again set the bar to a completely new level.”

The PC-12 PRO redefines what operators can expect from the world’s best-selling single-engine turboprop, featuring a redesigned cockpit, advanced Garmin G3000 PRIME avionics, and integrated Safety Autoland. Paired with the latest Pratt & Whitney PT6 engine and EPECS technology, the PC-12 PRO delivers improved efficiency, reliability, and simplified operation.

With a growing fleet of PC-12s throughout the United States, Pro Star Pilatus Center continues to provide the expertise, technical support, and customer-focused service that Pilatus owners rely on. This first U.S. delivery marks the beginning of a new era for the PC-12 platform, solidifying its position as the world’s greatest business turboprop.

Pro Star Aviation, headquartered at the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in New Hampshire with locations in Grand Rapids, MI, and Portland, ME, is a recognized industry leader in the maintenance and upgrade of business and government aircraft. The company is a factory-authorized service facility for Dassault Falcon Jet, Embraer, and Pilatus. Pro Star has gained national recognition specializing in avionics upgrades, in-flight connectivity solutions, special mission aircraft modifications, and aircraft sales. With proven capacity to manage complex projects and provide targeted solutions for unique operational requirements, Pro Star consistently meets the highest standards of performance and reliability. Pro Star is part of the Laughlin Family aviation group of companies, which was founded in 1948 and has additional operations in FBO, airline services, and aircraft de-icing. https://www.prostaraviation.com

For additional information, please contact:
Jeff Shaw, Director of Sales & Marketing
603-627-7827
jeff@prostaraviation.com

For much of our 25-year-plus history, Pro Star has been a collaboration of specialized businesses, each excelling in its own domain. In 2025, however, something shifted. This year marked the first truly concerted effort to bring the full breadth of the Laughlin family of companies together under a unified umbrella. It was a year not just defined by growth, but by alignment. Aircraft sales, manufacturing, maintenance, special missions, and new facilities were no longer operating as parallel efforts but as parts of a singular, more integrated operation. This resulted in greater internal clarity, a more cohesive customer experience, and a strong foundation built to support continued growth in the years ahead.

One of the most prominent milestones was geographic expansion. For decades, Pro Star has operated primarily out of its Manchester, NH location. In 2025, the opening of the Grand Rapids, MI facility marked the company’s first major brand expansion, expanding Pro Star’s reach to the western edge of its Pilatus territory. In its first year of operation, the Grand Rapids hangar was frequently booked to capacity—a true testament to the teams on the floor and behind the scenes who made it happen. Just as importantly, the Michigan location elevated Pro Star’s national presence, reinforcing its credibility and awareness across the industry.

That growth was supported by deliberate internal investments in both leadership and operations. In Manchester, Pro Star strengthened its operational leadership structure with the addition of Wayne Tibbetts as Operations Director. Coming from Bombardier, Wayne brought deep OEM experience and immediately added structure, efficiency, and oversight to production operations. Additionally, Pro Star expanded planning and sales capabilities with dedicated experts for individual OEMs. This ensured that customers would be supported by teams with focused technical and operational knowledge.

A major enabler of this alignment was technology. In 2025, Pro Star implemented a common ERP and CRM platform, Quantum, across locations, including Northeast Air. Though a major effort, it now provides real-time visibility into production, inventory, scheduling, and analytics across the organization. This resulted in improved predictability, better coordination between sites, and a more consistent customer experience from quote to delivery.

Our newly centralized approach was especially evident in our sales and planning departments. Historically, these departments just served the Manchester location. With our concerted effort to unify locations, the sales and planning teams introduced a more streamlined quoting and workflow process this year, allowing technical teams to stay focused on maintenance and installations while ensuring customers receive clear expectations and reliable schedules. It’s a shift that benefits everyone: fewer bottlenecks, better communication, and a steady, predictable flow of work.

On the technical front, 2025 was a year of ‘firsts’. Pro Star completed and initiated a number of milestone projects this year, including:

Starlink installations on Challenger 300 and 350, Falcon 2000, Global 5000 and 7500 aircraft
Gogo Galileo installation on a Challenger 605
Progress toward first-of-type Galileo STC for the Pilatus PC-12
Multiple heavy “C Check” level inspections across Pilatus, Embraer, and Challenger platforms, including 96-month inspections on Challenger 650s
Earning EASA Part-145 Repair Station approval in Manchester, NH
Expansion of federal aircraft support, including a Starlink installation on a NASA aircraft

Willingness to push into new territory was also evident in Pro Star’s evolving approach to federal contracting. Rather than viewing the federal market solely through the lens of special missions modification, Pro Star took a more holistic approach—integrating maintenance, installation, and long-term support capabilities. While work remains on certifications and infrastructure, 2025 helped to identify gaps, test processes, and build the internal muscle needed to compete more effectively within the federal marketplace.

Underlying all of this progress was a renewed commitment to our identity. To reflect the consolidation of the Laughlin family companies and to celebrate more than 25 years in the business, Pro Star undertook a comprehensive rebrand in 2025. New logos, uniforms, a refreshed website, updated collateral, and trade show materials were not just cosmetic changes—they were outward expressions of a more unified organization. For the first time in our history, Pro Star’s full range of capabilities are being showcased together as one cohesive unit. While there is always more to come, 2025 positioned Pro Star Aviation to move into 2026 stronger, more connected, and more intentional than ever before. This year wasn’t just about doing more, it was about doing things together—and that may be the most important milestone of all.

Londonderry, NH – Pro Star Aviation is once again proud to highlight three recent additions to our organization: Danielle Vezina, Learta Kalemi, and Matthew Vogel. Their diverse experience, technical talent, and personal commitment align closely with the company’s mission and values.

Danielle Vezina, who has been an A&P/IA Technician for the last 3 years at Pro Star, brings a remarkable breadth of hands-on aviation experience to her new position as Production Planner / Scheduler. Her enthusiasm for aviation began at the age of 14 during her first ever general aviation flight with her godfather. This newfound passion eventually led her to join Army Aviation as a helicopter repairer. Following an honorable discharge, she balanced full-time work and raising a family while completing her A.S. in Aviation Technology. Over the course of her career, Danielle has worked across the Eastern U.S. on helicopters, commercial platforms, military aircraft, corporate jets, and general aviation fleets. Away from the office, Danielle enjoys spending time with her family and friends, attending car shows, tinkering with sports cars, and traveling with her husband and their dog, Yogi.

Staff Accountant Learta Kalemi joins Pro Star with a strong academic foundation and a rapidly advancing early-career trajectory. Originally from Albania, Learta has lived in the U.S. for six years, gaining valuable experience across several manufacturing and accounting roles. She first began in Accounts Payable before advancing into her current position, where she applies her fast-learning mindset and meticulous approach to financial operations. Learta holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Albania and an Associate of Science in Accounting from Manchester Community College. She was excited to join Pro Star for the opportunity to further grow her expertise within a supportive and dynamic organization. Outside of work, Learta devotes most of her time to her baby boy, who recently turned one in October—a source of constant joy that fills her life with love and fulfillment.

Airframe & Powerplant Technician Matthew Vogel adds 15 years of aviation experience to the maintenance team, beginning with a decade of service as a Naval Aircrewman on C-130s. Born in Michigan, Matthew returned home after the Navy, where he worked maintenance on a wide range of business aircraft including Citations, Learjets, Beechjets, Hawkers, King Airs, and PC-12s. His longstanding appreciation for Pilatus Aircraft, particularly the PC-12, made Pro Star a natural next step in his career. Matthew was drawn to the chance to work on both the PC-12 and the PC-24, as well as the excitement surrounding the company’s new facility in Grand Rapids. When he’s not in the hangar, Matthew spends much of his time fishing throughout the state, especially on the big waters of Lake Michigan.

Together, these three team members bring valuable perspectives, technical capability, and genuine passion for their craft, strengthening Pro Star’s operations and contributing to ongoing company growth.

For additional information, please contact:
Jeff Shaw, Director of Sales & Marketing
603-627-7827
jeff@prostaraviation.com

November 21, 2025 – Londonderry, NH – Pro Star Aviation is expanding its in-flight connectivity expertise with the addition of the Challenger 300 Series and Falcon 2000 Series to its growing list of Starlink installation accomplishments. This month, the company is completing its second Challenger installation, following the delivery of a Challenger 350 earlier in the year. The STC is OEM-approved by Bombardier, covering the full Challenger 3 Series with models: 300, 350, and 3500.

This December, Pro Star will begin one of the very first Falcon 2000 Starlink installations, with delivery expected by early 2026. This installation is part of an OEM-developed Service Bulletin solution from Dassault that includes the Falcon 7X, 8X, 2000, and soon, the 900 Series.

Starlink’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network delivers high-speed connectivity across the globe. This type of in-flight connectivity is rapidly becoming the new standard for business aviation. With these additional aircraft models, Pro Star Aviation continues to strengthen its role as a trusted provider of advanced, OEM-supported connectivity solutions for operators seeking modern in-flight performance.

For additional information, please contact:
Jeff Shaw, Director of Sales & Marketing
603-627-7827
jeff@prostaraviation.com

Every Veterans Day, we are reminded of the individuals whose stories of service have shaped both our nation and our workplace. At Pro Star Aviation, we are proud to count veterans from every branch of the U.S. military among our team. Their commitment to service shows through the same precision, professionalism, and teamwork that continue to define our success in the world of aviation. In fact, for many of our veterans, aviation has been a lifelong passion, one that began in the military and continues to thrive here at Pro Star.

Robert Cummings, a former U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant and Aviation Ordnance Technician, recalls his time working on the F/A-18 Hornet as the foundation for his aviation career. “I joined to challenge myself, serve my country, and be a part of something greater,” he says. “Working on aircraft in the Marines sparked my passion for aviation. When I transitioned out, business aviation was a natural fit.” The lessons Robert learned in the Marines, especially while working on aircraft, shaped the approach he carries into every task. That same principle of careful workmanship continues to guide his work at Pro Star today.

For Danielle Vezina, a former U.S. Army aircraft structural mechanic on helicopters, military service was a family tradition and a gateway to aviation. “My father was a Vietnam Navy Veteran and encouraged me to join. The Army guaranteed that I would work in aviation, which had always been a strong interest of mine,” she explains. Danielle also expressed her gratification for the standards upheld by the U.S. Army. “The military teaches you how to work as a team, how to attain a goal, and to take pride in a job well done.” Those tenets still remain central to Danielle’s work in business aviation.

Similarly, Andrew Hixson, a former U.S. Navy aviation structural mechanic, was drawn to service by a long line of family members in uniform. During his service, he found his love for aviation blossoming. “It really grew on me and became more of my identity,” Andrew remembers. After separating from active duty, he found his way back to full-time aviation at Pro Star, where his expertise and leadership continue to stand out. “Work ethic, accountability, and professionalism have been ingrained in me. I take pride in the work that I do and always give my best effort.”

Like Danielle and Andrew, Miguel Del Rosario joined the military for familial reasons. A current member of the National Guard, he enlisted to secure a better future for his family. Miguel serves as both a UH-60 Blackhawk and UH-72 Lakota Repair Technician, and looks at his ongoing relationship with the military with great pride. “It has been instrumental in developing leadership skills, responsibility, and the ability to operate in highly stressful environments where precision is key,” he says. “It has shaped my resiliency in accomplishing demanding and critical jobs”.

Eileen Eisenstein, who served as an Aircraft Structural Repairer in the U.S. Army, describes herself as a modern-day ‘Rosie the Riveter’. Her six-year service took her overseas and led her to earn her Airframe and Powerplant license. Like Miguel, Eileen’s time in the Army prepared her to thrive in tense and demanding settings. “My deployment to Kosovo taught me to handle heavy workloads and varying personalities in high stress environments — always paying attention to little details,” she says. This skill has also served her well in business aviation, allowing her to rise to any challenge with strength and composure.

Beyond honoring those already on our team, Pro Star Aviation also supports service members transitioning to civilian life through our partnership with SkillBridge. This program, which is run through the Department of Defense, gives service members the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in aviation maintenance and operations before officially entering the civilian workforce. Heading the program here at Pro Star is our General Manager, Sean Peterson, who helped to launch our partnership in 2022.

“SkillBridge allows service members to come in and work as aviation technicians, whether or not they have prior experience. They spend about three months with us collecting on-the-job training to get a real sense of what it’s like to work in aviation post-military,” Sean explains. Since joining the program, Pro Star has hired three SkillBridge graduates, with more already lined up for the coming year.

Sean adds that veterans often rise quickly into leadership roles thanks to their discipline and adaptability. “Our vets have a strong sense of commitment and long-term career goals,” he says. “They’re used to dynamic environments and tend to adapt quickly to changes in workflows and technology. Because many operated in high-pressure conditions with limited resources, they have that ‘it’ factor when it comes to troubleshooting and resolving problems quickly.” These qualities influence far more than individual projects, they help to shape the very nature of how we operate as a team.

At Pro Star Aviation, we take pride not only in our veterans’ technical expertise but in the integrity, discipline, and leadership they bring to every project. Their experiences enrich our culture, strengthen our mission to deliver the highest standards of safety and service, and reflect the very best of both military service and aviation professionalism. Their courage, skill, and dedication embody our values and continue to inspire us every day. On this day of remembrance and respect, we proudly honor their service and extend our deepest gratitude to all who have served and continue to serve, whose sacrifices protect the freedoms we all hold dear.