Fairchild Aerospace Names Methot Vice President, Training and Customer Flight Ops

Business Wire, July 15, 1999

SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 15, 1999--

Fairchild Aerospace has named Capt. Edward M. Methot to be vice president of training and customer flight operations.

Methot will develop and manage training programs for customers of the Fairchild 328JET and 728JET family of 30- to 100-seat regional jets and airliners, and act as the liaison between airline flight operations departments and Fairchild. Methot will be based at Fairchild's corporate headquarters in San Antonio and will report to Joe Vreeman, senior vice president for customer support.

In his role as customer liaison, Methot will focus on ensuring line pilots have input into the requirement process for aircraft configurations, as well as in the development of technical materials, manuals, training and product support programs throughout the life of the aircraft. That will include making sure pilots have input during development and after introduction of a new Fairchild aircraft.

"Ed has 36 years of experience in the front lines of airline operations, and is considered a 'pilot's pilot,'" Vreeman said. "We are excited that he has come aboard to lead our efforts to create a world-class support program for our world-class aircraft."

Methot served most recently as vice president of flight operations for America West Airlines, based in Phoenix. In that role, he had oversight for all aspects of aircraft operations including flight crew training, flight standards and safety, dispatch, flight control and flight crew scheduling. Prior to that, Methot was managing director of flight operations and airline chief pilot for United Airlines.

"We continue to initiate tangible, measurable improvements to our customer support program, and bringing Ed's expertise in is going to pay big dividends for the customer," Vreeman said.

Methot has more than 25,000 flight hours and has multiple aviation ratings including instructor and flight engineer. He is an FAA designee and a member of the Iccarus Committee, the Air Transport Association Operations Council and Training Committee, and is the former chairman of the International Air Transport Association Flight Operations Advisory Committee.

Fairchild Aerospace produces an all-jet family of regional jets and airliners. The recently certified 328JET is designed for low-cost operation, unmatched passenger comfort, and enhanced aircraft performance in the 30-seat regional category. The regional airliner family includes the 428JET 44-seat jet. Fairchild Aerospace has also introduced the 728JET family of 50- to 108-seat airliners.

Also part of the Fairchild family are the Envoy 3 and Envoy 7 business jets, based on the 328JET and 728JET airframes, respectively. The Envoy series provides the same reliability and economic benefits of the airliners, as well as a spacious corporate cabin for enhanced comfort.

Fairchild Aerospace Corporation is a leading manufacturer of jet and turboprop aircraft for the airline, corporate and government markets and provides a wide range of sales, support, production and engineering services for the aviation industry. In addition to its headquarters in San Antonio, Texas, and facilities in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, Fairchild Aerospace has offices in Washington, D.C. and other locations worldwide.