Leading Edge Aviation began it roots as an aircraft detailing business at John Wayne Airport back in 1989. Mike Manclark then a budding entrepreneur with a dream to build a successful Aviation Services company is shown here washing a privately owned Turbo Prop.

Leading Edge Aviation Services started with five employees in 1989, and expanded almost immediately. “The reason we grew so fast is I am a real stickler for top-quality work.” said Manclark. “We stand behind our work, and we do it perfectly.”

Merrion Morris buffs metal after it has been cleaned at Leading Edge Aircraft Painting, Inc. in Greenville, Mississippi.

An American West Airlines Boeing 757, bearing the freshly painted logos and colors of the expansion Arizona Diamondbacks, is wheeled out at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport before its maiden voyage Friday after being painted by Leading Edge Aviation Services.

In just four days, Leading Edge Aviation crew works 24/7 to complete the project after a Michigan company encountered bad weather and could not complete the project. The plane was to be used in a movie starring Harrison Ford and this was a first for Leading Edge Aviation Services.

Leading Edge put the luster back into a DC-3 by restoring a 57-year-old relic the glory days of America’s airline industry. The plane is pictured here at Amarillo International Airport and was built by Douglas Commercial Aircraft. It was commissioned by American Airline in 1955.

Leading Edge Aviation Services, located at the Arkansas Aeroplex, has doubled its production since it first began full-time operations in July. The company plans to open another production line and occupy three of the five Aeroplex hangers by Jan. 3, 1999.

The enormous plane landed at Leading Edge Aviation Services in Blytheville to receive a new paint scheme. The plane has a wingspan of 156 feet, 3 inches.

A Leading Edge Aviation Services employee prepares to mask the Hustler’s colorful insignia. The aircraft’s commemorative marker notes that the B-58 was the world’s first supersonic strategic bomber and set numerous records over its 10-year operational history.

Hundreds line up for new jobs, while Greenville Mayor Paul Artman Jr. (Left) hands Leading Edge President Mike Manclark a toy airplane during a press conference held at the Mid-Delta Regional Airport on Thursday.

Victorville, CA. facility opens with state-of-the art equipment. It combines a new $20M hangar capable of housing planes as large as a 747-400, as well as a remodeled 757-capable two-bay hangar equipped with fire suppression, environmental and filtered air movement.

600th aircraft painted for Continental Airlines in December. Since first partnering with Continental in 1994, LEAS has emblazoned virtually every kind of aircraft - from Md-80 to 777 with the airline's now famous blue and gold branding.

Leading Edge teams with Southwest to unveil Sports Illustrated plane emblazoned with supermodel Bar Rafaeli. The Boeing 737-700 will fly between New York and Las Vegas.

Leading Edge transforms the entire Northwest fleet to Delta colors. Utilizing the company's 16 bay capacity for narrow bodies and three wide body hangars, the project operated around the clock to paint over 350 aircraft in just 14 months.

Leading Edge becomes the only aircraft painting company in North America to receive the prestigious AS9100 quality management certification specifically designed for the aerospace industry.