Costa Mesa, Calif., May 11, 2012 —Leading Edge Aviation Services (LEAS), the largest commercial and military aircraft painting company in the world, today announced it has won the prestigious 2012 MRO of the Year Award for Innovative Service Supplier. The award, given annually by Aviation Week and Overhaul & Maintenance, honor outstanding achievement and innovation in aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO). Just four companies receive the award each year, one for Outstanding Airline Maintenance Group, Military Center of Excellence, Independent MRO, and Innovative Service Supplier.

Leading Edge received the award at a special ceremony during Aviation Week’s MRO Americas Conference & Exhibition at the Dallas Convention Center on April 2, 2012. Among the innovative accomplishments that Leading Edge was selected for were its ground-breaking work supporting the United-Continental livery transition, in which the entire fleet of 671 aircraft will be refinished in just 24-36 months, and its selection by Boeing to paint the new 787 Dreamliners coming out of Charleston.

“Our winners provide exemplary models for business leadership, especially with regard to smart expansion and sustainable energy,” said Lee Ann Tegtmeier, editor-in-chief of Overhaul & Maintenance. “They have made significant contributions to military and commercial fleet readiness, have championed new technologies, and are driving efficiency through innovation. Leading Edge did just that, providing innovative paint solutions that saved United in excess of five million dollars over the course of the program. We are proud to honor this achievement.”

Conceived more than 50 years ago, Aviation Week’s awards have since grown to become the most coveted awards in the aviation industry. Today, they signify global excellence, recognizing the extraordinary achievements of individuals and teams in aerospace, aviation and defense.

“Being recognized as an innovative service supplier by such marquee organizations like Aviation Week and Overhaul & Maintenance is a significant accomplishment,” said Mike Manclark, CEO, LEAS. “Since we founded the company over 20 years ago, we’ve held onto an unwavering commitment to outstanding quality, innovation and value. It’s those core principles that have allowed us to make advances in quality, flexibility and service times that airlines around the world have come to depend on. We are thrilled to have earned this award.”

About Leading Edge Aviation Services
Headquartered in Costa Mesa, California with state-of-the-art facilities nationwide, Leading Edge Aviation Services, Inc. is the largest, most advanced commercial and military aircraft painting company in the world. Founded in 1989, the company’s undeniable success is attributed to its strong vision and a continuous commitment to quality and excellence. Today, Leading Edge delivers an extensive range of commercial services including aircraft interior and exterior painting, OEM production coatings application support, mod-center painting services support, VVIP aircraft interior completions and exterior paint, aviation graphics, aircraft weighing, long- and short-term aircraft storage, field audits, fleet assessments, interior deep cleaning, and aircraft exterior wash and polish. For more information, visit our web site at www.leadingedgecorp.com.

About Aviation Week:
Aviation Week, part of The McGraw-Hill Companies, is the largest multimedia information and services provider to the global aviation, aerospace and defense industries, and includes Aviation Week, Aviation Week & Space Technology, Defense Technology International, Business & Commercial Aviation, Overhaul & Maintenance, ShowNews, Aviation Daily, Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, The Weekly of Business Aviation, Aviation Week Intelligence Network, MRO Links and MRO Prospector. The group also produces major events around the world.

Costa Mesa, Calif., May 4, 2012 —Leading Edge Aviation Services (LEAS), the largest commercial and military aircraft painting company in the world, today announced that Mike Manclark, Founder and CEO, has won Orange County Business Journal’s prestigious Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award. Announced on March 21, the awards are presented annually to five individuals who best exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit through their vision, execution, business accomplishments and potential for continued success.

“Mike Manclark’s vision and leadership have propelled Leading Edge into the largest aircraft painting company in the world, counting virtually every major airline as a customer,” said Richard Reisman, publisher, OCBJ. “During the past few years, the company has grown revenue by more than 14% in what’s widely been recognized as one of the toughest periods in history for commercial aviation. It’s accomplishments like these that warrant Manclark’s inclusion in our Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards.”

Originally founded as an aircraft detailing business at John Wayne Airport, Manclark quickly expanded the business to accommodate a growing need for premium aircraft painting. Within a few years, the company amassed major contracts with clients such as Delta, Continental, United, Air Canada, Southwest, the U.S. Military and even NASA. Today the company boasts state-of-the-art hangars in eight cities across America, revenues of more than $46M, and a total of more than 1,300 employees.

“This has been another landmark year for Leading Edge, and we are honored to have our accomplishments recognized by the OCBJ,” said Manclark. “We are proud to be part of a community that values and supports entrepreneurship and innovation.”

About Leading Edge Aviation Services
Headquartered in Costa Mesa, California with state-of-the-art facilities nationwide, Leading Edge Aviation Services, Inc. is the largest, most advanced commercial and military aircraft painting company in the world. Founded in 1989, the company’s undeniable success is attributed to its strong vision and a continuous commitment to quality and excellence. Today, Leading Edge delivers an extensive range of commercial services including aircraft interior and exterior painting, OEM production coatings application support, mod-center painting services support, VVIP aircraft interior completions and exterior paint, aviation graphics, aircraft weighing, long- and short-term aircraft storage, field audits, fleet assessments, interior deep cleaning, and aircraft exterior wash and polish. For more information, visit our web site at www.leadingedgecorp.com.

About the OCBJ
Each week, the Orange County Business Journal delivers the most complete package of news and information on Orange County’s companies, industries and businesspeople. It is comprehensive, authoritative, concise and entertaining. Presented in a lively and accessible format, the Business Journal is required reading for Orange County executives, managers and professionals—written in an up-tempo, breezy style that reveals the drama, excitement and fun in business. For more information, go to www.ocbj.com.

Costa Mesa, Calif., APRIL 25, 2012 —Leading Edge Aviation Services (LEAS), the largest commercial and military aircraft painting company in the world, celebrated the end of an era today, as it converts the world’s last remaining Continental aircraft to the newly merged United livery. A fixture of the skies since 1937, Continental grew to become one of America’s largest commercial carriers before announcing its merger with United in 2010. Since then, Leading Edge has worked around the clock to transition the entire fleet of 345 aircraft to its new look, completing a steady stream of aircraft from painting facilities in Texas, Mississippi, and California.

“We’re honored to be a part of this historic moment as we say goodbye to one of the oldest and most celebrated brands in aviation history,” said Mike Manclark, President and CEO, LEAS. “Since before WWII, Continental has been a part of the American fabric, shaping the way we travel for more than 75 years. With both domestic and international service, few airlines impacted as many travelers for as many years as Continental. It’s a truly remarkable story.”

The final Continental aircraft, a Boeing 737, is scheduled to be completed on April 26th in Amarillo, TX. It marks the second major fleet transition for Leading Edge, which also converted more than 500 aircraft for the recent Delta/Northwest merger. In all, Leading Edge painted more than 550 aircraft last year, more than any other company in the world.

“Completing this project was a major accomplishment for Leading Edge, and a true team effort,” added Manclark. “Since 2010, at least one freshly-painted aircraft has emerged from our hangars virtually every day with fresh United livery. Four facilities worked day and night to make it happen, often supporting 11 lines of aircraft painting at a single time. It’s a testament to both our capacity and our drive. Although it’s hard to say goodbye to such an historic American icon, we’re thrilled to be a part of its reinvention as the new United.”

About Leading Edge Aviation Services
Headquartered in Costa Mesa, California with state-of-the-art facilities nationwide, Leading Edge Aviation Services, Inc. is the largest, most advanced commercial and military aircraft painting company in the world. Founded in 1989, the company’s undeniable success is attributed to its strong vision and a continuous commitment to quality and excellence. Today, Leading Edge delivers an extensive range of commercial services including aircraft interior and exterior painting, OEM production coatings application support, mod-center painting services support, VVIP aircraft interior completions and exterior paint, aviation graphics, aircraft weighing, long- and short-term aircraft storage, field audits, fleet assessments, interior deep cleaning, and aircraft exterior wash and polish. For more information, visit our web site at www.leadingedgecorp.com.

Leading Edge Aviation Services, the world’s largest commercial and military aircraft painting company, is REDier Than Ever for MRO Americas 2012!

This year’s must-attend MRO industry event is being held on April 2-5 in Dallas, Texas, where suppliers and customers from across the world gather to share in the latest industry news. Leading Edge will once again be exhibiting and will be showcasing our most recent accomplishments including our milestone AS9100 quality management certification, state-of-the-art new facilities and locations, and our continuous efforts towards quality improvement. Be sure to drop by Booth 1215 for complementary champagne and a chance to learn more about these programs.

Leading Edge Aviation Services (LEAS), the world’s largest commercial aircraft painting company, announced today that Tracy Sharp has joined the company in the position of Controller. In her new role, Tracy will lead the company’s finance and accounting departments along with implementing a new ERP system during a time of unprecedented growth.

“As our reach and services continue to expand in the aviation industry, we’re enhancing our resource planning and streamlining our internal control systems,” says Mike Manclark, founder and CEO of Leading Edge Aviation Services. “We are very excited to bring Tracy on board at the start of 2012 to spearhead these initiatives and lead the finance and accounting departments.” Tracy brings over 25 years of experience in both public and private accounting to her new role.

Prior to joining Leading Edge, Tracy was the Corporate Controller for Day Software, an international content management software company, and was part of the team that turned the company into an international success and sold it to Adobe Systems in 2010 for $240 million. “Working at Leading Edge is a great opportunity and I am thrilled to be part of the team,” says Tracy. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from San Diego State University and is a Certified Public Accountant. Tracy resides in Newport Beach with her husband.

About Leading Edge Services
Headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, with facilities across the United States, Leading Edge Aviation Services, Inc. has one of the most advanced, commercial aircraft services companies in the world. Specializing in commercial and military aircraft painting, the company also provides a wide range of commercial services, including fuel system servicing, mod-center support, contract labor, line-turn maintenance, composite and sheet metal, long and short term aircraft storage, field audits, fleet assessments, interior deep cleaning, and strip and painting services to various branches of the United States Military. For more information, visit our web site.

As a special thanks to our hardworking crews, turkeys will be handed our for Thanksgiving and Christmas

 To help airlines maximize downtimes with the highs and lows of the season, Leading Edge Aviation’s paint crews are amping up their holiday schedule, working around the Christmas clock to prep and paint aircraft on those rare holiday moments when some aircraft are sitting empty. “For most people, Christmas and New Years are days to relax, celebrate with family, or take in a football game or two,” said Dave Patterson, EVP, Leading Edge Aviation Services. “But for us, it’s probably one of the most important, and busiest times of the year.” According to Patterson, travel typically dips during those days, presenting a narrow window that airlines can use to complete routine maintenancesuch as paint or fuel systems servicing.

“This service really gives airlines the tools to capitalize on those holiday drops in demand, so they’re at their best during the post-holiday rush. It’s just one of the many ways, Leading Edge and its employees give back to our customers during thisand every season.”

Costa Mesa, Calif.  – October 6, 2011. Leading Edge Aviation Services (LEAS), the largest commercial/military aircraft painting and interiors Company in the world, announced today that it has successfully completed its audit and has received recommendation for AS9100 certification at its Victorville, Calif. facility and corporate headquarters.

The news puts Leading Edge at a distinct advantage globally, making it the only aircraft painting company in the world to be awarded this new standard of excellence. Additionally it is a key stage in the final preparations for the upcoming Boeing B787’s arrival at the Leading Edge Fort Worth Texas facility.

Created specifically for the aerospace industry, AS9100 is a quality management system that outlines global standards for best practices that meets the unique and complex requirements of this sector. It requires strict adherence to quality and reliability standards in aerospace, and documentation of procedures, rigorous quality measurements and corrective actions to drive consistency in mission-critical products.

“AS9100C certification will further solidify Leading Edge and its global footprint in the aerospace sector, providing a new high quality and cost-competitive services to both commercial and defense fleets,” said Mike Manclark, President of Leading Edge. “This milestone builds on Leading Edge’s proven track record of providing aerospace customers with regulatory and compliance expertise unmatched by our competitors, and further demonstrates    our continued commitment to being an industry leader in quality and reliability.”

The Victorville facility and corporate headquarters will be the first Leading Edge sites to become  AS9100-certified centers of excellence, and will be joined by the company’s other facilities in Amarillo Texas,  Greenville MS, and the new Dallas Fort Worth site over the coming months.

“For more than 25 years we’ve ingrained a culture of constant innovation and continuous process improvement,” added Manclark. “The success of this audit is a direct result of that, and the next of many steps as we continue to lead the industry globally. We are very proud to receive this certification, and look forward to rolling it out to all our facilities company-wide.”

About Leading Edge Aviation Services

Headquartered in Costa Mesa, Calif., with facilities across the United States, Leading Edge Aviation Services, Inc. is one of the most advanced, commercial aircraft services companies in the world. Specializing in commercial and military aircraft painting, the company also provides a wide range of commercial services, including fuel system servicing, mod-center support, contract labor, line-turn maintenance, composite and sheet metal, long and short term aircraft storage, field audits, fleet assessments, interior deep cleaning, and strip and painting services to various branches of the United States Military.

“Seeing old friends and meeting new ones, getting together with valued partners—this is the best part of our annual fun-filled customer appreciation weekend at the Miramar Air Show,” said Mike Manclark, CEO of Leading Edge Corp.  “We love using the spectacular backdrop of this world-famous event to say ‘Thank You’ to everyone who has helped make Leading Edge the leader in aircraft painting and the partner of choice for America’s top airlines.”

Leading Edge guests joined nearly 750,000 spectators during the three-day run of the show, which celebrated the Centennial of Naval Aviation with the theme “A Salute to San Diego: Birthplace of Naval Aviation 1911-2011.”

The Blue Angels showcased their impressive formations and complex maneuvers along with military and civilian jets and warbirds. The Boeing F/A-18 Hornet lit up the skies with its afterburners and cruised at speeds nearing 500 mph above the flight line. The Saturday Twilight Show featured special aerial pyrotechnics, a fireworks display and the always popular “Great Wall of Fire.”  

Leading Edge guests got to take it all in from the best views at the show—runway seating at the company’s exclusive VIP Chalet tent, where they enjoyed a varied menu of fine foods and refreshments. 

Leading Edge guests stayed at the Empress Hotel, an elegant, upscale coastal resort nestled in the heart of the charming village of La Jolla and known for its access to the sandy beaches and rocky shorelines that dominate the stunning landscape.

In addition to the air show, Leading Edge guests were able to choose among other company festivities, including:

The 15th Annual Leading Edge Golf Tournament was held at the MCAS Miramar Memorial Golf Course, ranked among the top eight military golf courses in the U.S. by Travel & Leisure Golf Magazine. In addition to the spectacular fairways and greens, golfers were treated to a breakfast, a Bloody Mary bar, lunch and drinks while aircraft from the show roared overhead.  Crystal golf trophies and cups were awarded to the winners (see box).

•  A limo bus outing to SeaWorld San Diego enabled guests to experience the wonders of this world-class theme park, oceanarium and marine mammal park.
• The tiki-torch sunset BBQ dinner at La Jolla Shores Beach featured sumptuous fare served on tables covered in regal teal linens and lit with wind-resistant electronic LED “candles.”

“This year’s event was a great success,” said Manclark, “and we’re already looking forward to next year’s party.  Mark your calendars now because you won’t want to miss it.”

About Leading Edge Aviation Services

Headquartered in Costa Mesa, Calif., with facilities across the United States, Leading Edge Aviation Services, Inc. is one of the most advanced, commercial aircraft services companies in the world. Specializing in commercial and military aircraft painting, the company also provides a wide range of commercial services, including fuel system servicing, mod-center support, contract labor, line-turn maintenance, composite and sheet metal, long and short term aircraft storage, field audits, fleet assessments, interior deep cleaning, and strip and painting services to various branches of the United States Military.

“In addition to the stunning displays, demonstrations and aviation excellence, this show is really about taking the time to thank the friends, family and clients that have played such a vital part of our success,” said Mike Manclark, CEO, LEAS. “We try to make this fun for the whole family, with everything from barbecues on the beach and trips to local attractions, to fully-hosted meals and runway seating at our VIP chalet. It’s definitely an event you won’t want to miss.”

“Simply put, you won’t find a better view of the Miramar Air show unless you’re flying in it,” added Manclark. “As the event’s longest-standing VIP supporter, our corporate chalet seats are the best in the house. We’re proud to share this unbeatable view with the people whose trust and loyalty has made Leading Edge the number one partner of choice for aircraft painting services.”

Due to popular demand, Leading Edge Aviation will once again be hosting its Annual golf Tournament at MCAS Miramar Memorial Golf Course while the air show rages on overhead. The shotgun-style tourney will once again feature a full bloody mary bar, complimentary breakfast and lunch along with awards.

For more information on the Miramar Air Show, visit click here