BRIEF HISTORY

ACES (Air Carrier Engine Service Inc.) was founded in 1945 by William C. Bergstrom, George Snowden, and John Fitzgibbon. All three had been production management personnel at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft during World War II and had intimate knowledge of Pratt engines. On December 16, 1946, ACES received its Repair Station certificate - #3604 from the Civil Aeronautics Administration, the pre-curser to the FAA.
In the 1950’s ACES boasted various pioneering innovations in the aircraft engine service and repair industry. It originated the R2800-MI, called the Mark I, the trouble fee workhorse for the C-46 Commando transport. ACES developed the R2800MII, for better cruising speeds at higher altitudes and greater horsepower in an emergency. It obtained Civil Aeronautics Administration approval for the Transport Category C-46/CW-20T Aircraft; originated the engine exchange program for transport service; offered power-by-the-hour and engine leasing programs then unheard of; and developed Engineering Follow-up, a unique and most important service to customers after engine overhaul. Its top customers during the 50’s were Copa, Lacsa, Lenica, Aviateca, Avensa, Viasa and Zantop, which flew GM parts from one factory to another via cargo planes. Engines from Convairs and Martins used by the U.S. Border Patrol to ferry illegal aliens back to Mexico were also repaired at ACES.

In the 1960’s one of ACES’ satisfied customers was Allegheny Airlines, now known as US Air, and known then as the Pony Express of the airways. In 1961 ACES obtained numerous CAA supplemental certificates for installation on reciprocating, turboprop and turbojet engine airplanes. One of ACES’ customers that year, Austral Compania de Argentina, held the distinction of being the only airline flying to the Southern most tip of South America, Tierra de Eveto, where U.S. Navy planes also took off to South Pole Expedition Headquarters. In 1964, following the accidental death of William Bergstrom, his son Robert W. Bergstrom became President. The company devoted the next here years to gearing up for JT8D engine overhaul. This included expanding and brought in welding and plasma capabilities as well as new tooling and equipment, including engine stands and balance machines. The jet engine test cell facility was them built and our repair station certificate was extended by the Federal Aviation Administration to cover Pratt & Whitney Aircraft JT8D engines. The very first engine run through and test cell for calibration removed all the epoxy paint from the walls. That problem was quickly resolved, and the first customer engine – belonging to National Airlines – successfully passed test. By 1966 ACES claimed the distinction of being the oldest commercial piston engine overhaul station east of the Mississippi, overhauling P&W engines for 21 years for 72 airlines, with customers in 32 countries.

In October of 1967 all ACES assets used in connection with overhaul facilities were sold to Fairchild Hiller Corp. FHC organized a wholly owned subsidiary under the laws of Delaware whose name was also ACES. Two years later, National Aircraft Service, Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of Alaska Interstate Company, purchased substantially all of the ACES’ assets. James E. Brewer, President of National Aircraft Services, Inc. became President of ACES.

In July of 1970 the FAA issued ACES Air Agency Certificate #RG2R134L for Limited-Airframe Powerplant and Limited-Accessories Specialized Service for JT8D, JT3D, JT4 and JT9D engines. This included thrust reversers on Boeing 727’s, 737’s and DC-9’s as well as cowling, engine nose repair for these aircraft. By the end of 1979 ACES delivered its 1000th JT8D engine and served more than 30 customers in approximately 20 countries.

In the ‘80’s ACES was acquired by AeroServ International of Houston, Texas. This was an initial step by AeroServ to develop a high-quality presence in the aerospace and defense industries. In 1981, new owner Wayne K. Goettsche, Chairman of AeroServ International put together a new management team that drew heavily on past airline experience. James E. McMillen as President led the new team. Formerly of General Electric, Eastern Airlines and CFM International in Paris, and National/Pan American Airlines, McMillen presented a wealth of experience in technical development; aircraft engine performance analysis and maintenance administration, specifically of JT8D and CF6 engines.

In 1982 ACES vacated the premises of Building 2145 which they had occupied since 1956 and moved into today’s headquarters at 5300 NW 36th Street, Building 60A. AES Officially changed names to AeroThrust. The weekend of June 25-27, Wayne Goettsche hosted a Grand Opening at Doral Resort to celebrate the new name, new ownership, new management, and new facilities. In 1982 AeroThrust’s biggest customers were Piedmont, Air Florida, Avensa and L.A.V. – Since AeroThrust was one of only three qualified engine overhaul facilities not owned or aligned with a major carrier, the typical customer was a national or foreign air carrier. One result of the deregulation of the aviation industry was that the major carriers dropped certain routes better served by national carriers. Therefore the national carriers, AeroThrust primary customer base, grew in numbers and strength. As President, Jim McMillen’s goal was to build upon that base to include the newer airlines in the U.S. for which JT8D-powerd DC-9’s, 737’s and 727’s provided the equipment solution. By 1985 AeroThrust had embarked on a huge technological undertaking. An in-house computer system was purchased to centralize all data processing, including bar code tracking of parts and accounting applications. At that time, a relationship with Korean Air developed wherein AeroThrust trained several groups of mechanics. This joint venture enabled Korean Air to build its own engine maintenance facility in Seoul an accomplishment that AeroThrust is proud to have been a part of. In 1986 FFV Group purchase AeroThrust from Wayne Goettsche. FFV promptly commissioned an in-depth study of the aviation repair market in North and South America and a decision was made to expand capabilities to include the JT8D-200 engine. This required new tooling, spare parts inventory, test cell modifications, and special training. AeroThrust’s first –200 engine was successfully repaired for AeroMexico.

In 1991 FFV Group became part of Celsius Industries. AeroThrust became part of Celsius Aviation Services, a group of six independent operations located throughout the globe specializing in repair, maintenance, overhaul sales and leasing of a variety of engine makes. In 1998 the six companies under the Celsius Aviation Services umbrella were sold to SAAB. Then, In November of 2001, AeroThrust’s assets were again sold. Windstar Capital, LLC president, John. “Jack” F. Risko ventured once more into the aviation/aerospace industry. Risko restructured AeroThrust, selectively retaining or re-hiring a new management team from within the existing pool of talented AeroThrust employees to head the next decade of AeroThrust’s growth and development.

Today, AeroThrust is under the direction of President, Faryt Kalhil, and his executive staff consisting of Marlene Hernandez, Sr. Vice President of Finance, Administration & MIS; Jose Leon, Sr. Vice President and Garry Failler, Vice President of Engineering and Quality. John Risko remains very active in AeroThrust as Chairman of the Board and CEO.