Innovation in the Skies Above Green Bay

Written by: Waylen Choate, Chief Inspector/Quality Manager, Jet Air Group

The aircraft industry is one built on innovation. Innovative ideas and technological advances in engineering, materials, and processes have turned big dreams into big results. From the first flight of the Wright Brothers in 1903 to a world dependent on commercial air travel, it is easy to see how far aviation has come. Now, manufacturers in the aviation industry are combining modern digital technology with improved mechanical systems to create safer, more efficient flight. While innovation and technology has made flying easier and safer, they have also driven new regulations for the industry making some level of upgrade mandatory for most aircraft. Jet Air Group continues to engage with manufacturers and system developers to provide solutions for the ever-changing landscape of aviation for new aircraft and to keep yesterday’s aircraft flying into tomorrow.

In Green Bay, Jet Air Group is committed to innovation in aviation. First moving to Green Bay in 1979, Jet Air has a history of embracing new aircraft and systems. It became the first Mitsubishi MU-2 Service Center in the United States and remains one of only three in the nation. Similarly, Jet Air was an early service center for Cirrus aircraft based in Duluth, Minnesota. Cirrus, known for being the first aircraft certified with a full airframe parachute system, continues to push the industry with innovations like Safe Return Autoland on the Vision Jet and Cirrus IQ, which lets pilots check the on-board status of their aircraft fuel, oxygen, and de-ice fluid from their phone. In 2015, Jet Air became an Enstrom Helicopter Corporation service center. Based in Menominee, Michigan, Enstrom produces both piston engine and turbine engine driven helicopters known for fly-ability and safety. As of 2019, Jet Air Group is a service center for ICON aircraft based in Vacaville, California. ICON produces an amphibious Light Sport Aircraft with foldable wings when stored. Jet Air supports these airframe platforms through partnerships with the manufacturers and factory trained personnel.

Beyond providing service for innovative aircraft, Jet Air Group also incorporates new technology into legacy airframes through its avionics shop’s capability of providing custom installations and avionics service on all size aircraft from a wide range of manufacturers. Even small planes can have that “glass cockpit” feel with new instruments and panel. Industry leader Garmin has developed a full suite of products to provide enhanced navigation, autopilot, communication, and engine monitoring. Through partnerships with Garmin and other vendors, Jet Air Group is able to offer a complete avionics package for an aircraft or individual system upgrades integrated with existing components. This allows Jet Air Group to pull in pilots and owners from across the country to Green Bay for quality service.