Maintenance Lead, Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic

Maintenance LeadJon is a lifelong aircraft maintenance and operations enthusiast. He worked his way from A&P school at Sacramento City College in 1980 thru Mechanic at Lincoln Skyways in 1983 on to F-111 Sheetmetal Specialist then F-15 Maintenance Trainer and Technical Advisor eventually culminating his Dept of Defense carrier as the ACC World Wide RQ-4 Global Hawk “Unmanned” technical support Program Manager and Lead Advisor.

On the piloting side, at 19 while in A&P school, he began flying and ended up with his Private Pilot License and Instrument / Multi-engine ratings.  Jon owned a Cessna 150 and later a 1946 Bellanca Cruisair 14-13-2. 

While working for DOD he took advantage of his “off-time” and started Owners Aviation in Lincoln Ca. performing general aviation major repairs, alterations, and annual inspections. 

After 30 years of service Jon acceped an early retirement offer from the DOD and began a contractor carrier.  He was selected to join L-3 as a Mech/Tech/Avionics Specialist and Authorized Inspector overseeing quality and safety for a 50-member maintenance group working on “special mission” MC12 Beechcraft King Air for the Air Force and later Avionics/Maintenance on RC12s for the Army.  Jon accepted one last overseas role with AECOM as Shift, Avionics Lead, and Technical Advisor in Italy on RQ-4 Global Hawks.

Upon returning home to Grass Valley, not quite ready to call it a “rap”, he went to work here at Mach 5 Aviation.  He leads our stellar Maintenance team. 

At home, Jon is a family man with a wife of 35 years, four grown married kids, and eight (soon to be ten) grandkids.  He enjoys mentoring and has spent many hours back packing with Nevada County “Campus Life” youth in the High Sierra.  On days off if not playing with grandkids you will likely find him fishing high mountain lakes or jamming down the slopes in fresh Sierra powder.