by admin on Jan 15, 2009, under Leading Edge Aviation News
As a college student back in 1989, I borrowed a mop bucket and an old truck and began washing private aircraft as I worked toward my pilot’s license. As word spread, that part time job evolved into a modest small business called “Leading Edge Aviation Services” with just five employees in a small facility in Santa Ana, CA.
As we grew, we never lost sight of the fundamentals: excellent service, quality work, and the finest attention to detail. With that focus, we went from that old borrowed Ford and a janitor’s bucket to what is now the largest aircraft painting company in the world with five facilities in the US and offices in Asia and the Middle East. From washing those small, single-engine planes to painting entire fleets of jumbo jets today; we’ve certainly come a long way.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Leading Edge Aviation, and we are proud of the incredible people that have helped us get to where we are today and the amazing things we have accomplished. In all, we’ve painted over 5,000 aircraft since those early days, and we’re adding another 300 to that list in 2009 as America’s top airlines entrust us with their most important assets – their brand. The fact is there isn’t a major airport in the US that doesn’t have a Leading Edge aircraft somewhere landing or taking off at this very moment.
To celebrate this milestone, we’re reaching out to our customers and partners in a whole new way. Starting next month, we’ll be delivering quarterly newsletters that reflect the spirit and success of our company and deliver interesting industry specific information and fun facts. In the meantime, we’ve put together an e-mail version to keep you posted on all things Leading Edge.
We hope you enjoy the news, and look forward to serving you on this, our 20th year.
Sincerely,
Mike Manclark,
President / CEO
by admin on Jan 15, 2009, under Leading Edge Aviation Press Release
(SANTA ANA, CA) January 14, 2009 – Leading Edge Aviation Services (LEAS), the largest commercial aircraft painting company in the world, has just completed its month-long restoration of a World War II era A26 Invader which soars into John Wayne Airport for its new home at the William Lyon Air Museum. The Museum, which opens doors this spring, will house a number of historic aircraft on permanent display for the county’s growing community of aviation enthusiasts.
“It’s a real honor to breathe new life back into an important piece of American history,” said Mike Manclark, President, CEO, LEAS. “Our California crews worked with incredible dedication and detail to restore this storied warbird back to its mint condition. I’m proud to say that now, 68 years later, its every bit as striking as the day it first rolled into action.”
First brought into action in 1941, the A26 bombers were stationed throughout California as part of emergency efforts to protect the mainland from invading forces after the attack at Pearl Harbor. This Invader, named the “Feeding Frenzy” flew missions in Vietnam and possibly World War II.
For interview opportunities, contact:
Dave Patterson
Leading Edge Aviation Services
(714) 556-0576
