THOMAS C. WILLIS
Technical Consultant Group Leader
37 Years of Aviation Experience

Areas of Expertise:

Quality Management Systems
Air Carrier Maintenance & Inspection
Continuing Analysis Surveillance
Aviation Regulatory Compliance Negotiation
Certificated Repair Station Quality Systems
Designated Airworthiness Representative
Foreign Field Aviation Expertise since 1995

Tom has held a variety of positions within the aviation industry to include: Aircraft Maintenance Technician, Military Turbine Powerplant Technician and Flight Engineer, Administrator Quality Audit, Aviation Maintenance School Instructor, Quality Supervisor and Manager for American Airlines, and Consultant to Airline and Repair Station Presidents, Vice Presidents, Directors and Managers around the world. Tom was nominated for outstanding teacher in the Oklahoma Vo-Tech School System and Outstanding Engineering and Maintenance Employee with American Airlines. Tom was recognized by his peers as the architect and implementer of the Coordinating Agency for Supplier Evaluation C.A.S.E. Air Carrier Section Auditor Training and Evaluation Program in the late 1980’s’.

Following 12 years of progression with American Airlines, Tom began his breakthrough aviation quality management consulting business which has been in continuous operation since 1993. In May of 2008 Tom will have completed his two and one half year mission with a new entrant VLJ manufacturer having provided foundational quality management expertise in that company’s pursuit of Type Certification. Tom continues with that VLJ manufacturer today in support of Experimental aircraft research and development.

Since 1993 Tom has successfully supported the aviation community in a variety of challenging roles including but not limited to; Chromalloy Research and Technology, Air France, American International Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Qantas Airways Ltd., Philippine Airlines, the Federal Aviation Administration Certification, Standardization and Evaluation Team, the Airline Suppliers Association, General Electric Engine Services, General Electric Aircraft Engines, Evergreen Air Center, DeCrane Aerospace, Lufthansa Technik and following the Alaska Airlines loss of an MD-80 in 2000, Tom led a team of twenty-two highly skilled professionals in roles ranging from MRO inspection oversight to FAA Liaison to the development of a quality assurance function. From 2002 through 2005 Tom supported the highly successful transformation of the Philippine Airlines former maintenance and engineering division into a premier Lufthansa Technik/MACRO Asia MRO.

Tom is internationally recognized for his ability to rapidly bring about resolution to the most challenging aviation regulatory compliance dilemmas, and the design of effective air carrier programs in Quality Management, Continuing Analysis and Surveillance, and Supplier Surveillance. He has developed and presented instruction for FAA inspectors, airline industry managers and executives worldwide.

He graduated with honors from Spartan School of Aeronautics, earned the Distinguished Graduate Award for excellence in U.S. Air Force Flight Engineering then earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering with emphasis on Quality, followed by an Advanced Management Institute Certificate from Tulsa University.

A FAA certified pilot, aircraft owner, award winning amateur aircraft builder and mechanic with Airframe Powerplant ratings, Tom is in addition, an American Society for Quality Senior Member, Certified Quality Auditor and FAA Designated Airworthiness Representative.