Although Ascent Aviation Services has been in operation for half a century, Chief Commercial Officer, Scott Butler, details that the business entered its ‘modern era’ just seven years ago in 2016.
With two growing facilities in Arizona, USA and another in New Mexico, USA the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) service provider plays a vital role in keeping aeroplanes in peak flying condition.
Focussed on being a one-stop-shop for aircraft owners, operators, and lessors, the full-service heavy maintenance supplier engages in a full breadth of activities valued by its customers.
Amongst its services, Ascent Aviation Services can offer:full airframe heavy maintenance; cabin modifications; transitions for lease return and re-lease; avionics installations and modifications; aircraft and engine storage; and end-of-life reclamations and tear downs for all commercial aircraft types
Joining the business in 2018 to support the business in its transition into the future, Scott has spent over 15 years as a professional in the aerospace industry.
Throughout his broad tenure, Scott has held leadership positions in Program Management and Engineering and Operations Management. He comments that his role as CCO at Ascent Aviation Services enables him to fulfil a “rounded career”.
“The most valuable asset you can have in a business is a great team. My role is to empower that team and collaborate with them, ensuring the solutions for our customers come from those on the ground solving the challenges every day,” Scott shared.
Providing Speed and Commitment
As one of the largest MROs in the world, Ascent Aviation Services have completed more than 600 heavy maintenance visits for a wide range of aircraft platforms, including Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier and Embraer jets.
With a Class IV 14 CFR Part 145 certified repair station, Ascent Aviation Services has the expertise to maintain narrow and wide body, small to large, and regional to long-haul aircraft, and boasts one of the largest maintenance, storage and reclamation operations in the world.
While its breadth of experience is a commercial advantage of the business, Scott highlights that the “speed and commitment” offered by Ascent Aviation Services is a considerable benefit to customers.
“As a one-stop-shop for MRO requirements, we have forged the ability to do everything at an exceptionally high, certified standard, with the capacity to offer services from cradle to grave,” he said, “we understand the financial implications for our customers to have aircraft grounded, and strive to offer a stress-free experience”.
With 50 years in service, Ascent Aviation Services recognises the value of customer requirements being the cornerstone of its strategy.
As such, it is ensuring it becomes a trail-blazer for sustainability in aviation, following the Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association’s (AFRA) recommendations.
“Ascent Aviation Services is inherently a sustainable business, reusing materials and ensuring the overhaul of existing aircraft,” shared Scott, “we work closely with our partners, like KP Aviation, to service our mutual customers”.
Vital Steps to Keep the Industry Buoyant
With a commercial partnership that Scott described as “growing together”, Ascent Aviation Services and KP Aviation have a symbiotic relationship, with KP Aviation acting as both a supplier and a customer to the business, reflecting its circular approach.
“It’s been a great relationship which we’ve built and maintained over the years. CEO Kim and her amazing team have proven their commitment to the customer, which is crucial for us,” said Scott.
Much like Kim at KP Aviation, Scott highlighted the importance of the aviation industry stepping into an equitable future, closing the gender gap.
“It’s a very encouraging time,” he explained, “we’re seeing much more workforce variety coming out of college programmes and the military, not only from a gender perspective, but nationality and economic background too. Ultimately, as an employer we look for the best person for the job that will enhance our team”.
With the industry experiencing a reduced output of new aircraft production, there is an increasing market for the likes of Ascent Aviation Services and KP Aviation who keep existing aircraft in circulation. With that, however, is an increased demand in person-power.
To ensure the workforce continues to grow and develop, Ascent Aviation Services are partnering with local community colleges, technical schools, and military programs to launch its own aviation Structures certification program.
“The first classes commence in January. It’s a really exciting time for the local aviation industry as well as our business, and heralds the start of what we envision to be a busy decade in the sector,” shared Scott.
In addition to its new training programs, Ascent Aviation Services plans to expand the business by taking on new challenges, with Scott noting that Israel Aerospace Industries’ modification of Boeing triple seven (777) program will see further growth opportunities.
Moreover, Scott foresees the business expanding its wide and narrow body operation and developing its landing gear maintenance offering. Supporting this is the launch of Ascent Aviation Service’s full service narrow and wide body aircraft MRO, storage and reclamation services at Roswell International Air Center.
“Ultimately, what will be crucial for us is to listen to our customers’ needs and grow our core business to match that to maintain our moniker of a one-stop-shop. This will mean that customers requirements can be met in one place, in Arizona, reducing the time and cost of aircraft, and components thereof, being sent around the country. Working with our partners like KP Aviation is integral to achieving this strategy,” Scott said.