Aviation Maintenance: General Aviation: Celebrating 25 Years of Exceptional Service

When the receptionist answers the CRS Jet Spares phone in a professional, friend ly, can-do manner, you know right away you’re dealing with a company that cares about its customers. It’s this support and company loyalty that has allowed CRS phenomenal growth and unsurpassed accountability during the past 25 years.

As an aftermarket supplier for the business jet community, CRS’ mission is to provide quality services and support to the aviation industry and, among other items, to maintain accelerated 24/7/365 deliveries to keep its Learjet, Hawker, Gulfstream, Challenger and Falcon customer’s flying and in top operating condition. Its AOG hotline helps fulfill this part of CRS’ mission. If CRS doesn’t have a part in stock, which would be unusual with a $60 million, fully traceable, new and overhauled components inventory, it will call around to other parts companies until it finds the needed part and will then have it shipped to the customer. CRS will also lend a customer a spare part if the operator doesn’t have the budget to carry extra parts on international flights. This service is free of charge and if the customer decides to keep the part, they send a check; otherwise, they mail the part back upon landing.

To celebrate its customers and its 25 years of service, CRS’ CEO and founder Armando Leighton Jr., Jack Caloras, VP of sales and operations and the sales manager for the visited territory are performing a cross-country tour. During this customer appreciation trip, customers will be treated to dinners or hockey nights so that CRS can demonstrate its gratitude to the business aviation community. At each stop on the tour the name of a finalist will be drawn. There will be 15 finalists for the grand giveaway — a 2007 Ford Mustang GT convertible. The winner will receive the car at the 2007 NBAA Annual Conference in Atlanta, Georgia on September 26.

Outstanding service and employees that are completely committed to the company equates to an unrivaled experience. CRS Jet Spares long-time employees had much to say about their employer and its mission.

CRS Employees Share Their Stories

"I have had the pleasure of knowing Armando for nearly the entire 25 years he’s been in business and it was evident to me early in our aviation careers that he was building something special. From the outside, I always admired his business principles and beliefs, the level of customer service provided, the close-knit family atmosphere and the desire to always strive for customer satisfaction. I am honored and proud to represent Armando and the dedicated staff of the CRS family, who continue to strive for the highest level of customer service and satisfaction. I believe it’s an important ingredient in what separates CRS from the competition." Doug Shepherd, regional sales manager

"Since it’s inception as a small company, CRS has maintained a small company feel. Where some companies are all about the bottom line, CRS has had a successful bottom line while still showing compassion and genuine concern for those who work here. CRS is a company that truly cares for its employees. The understanding that a happy employee is a productive employee is the foundation upon which CRS was built and thrives on today. This caring attitude which I have been associated with for 18 years has carried over to our customer base and I feel is what sets CRS apart from others in our industry." Neysa Fulton, warranty administrator

"Armando came home one day and said, ‘Mom, I want to start my own business and need your help.’ That was almost 25 years ago. In no time at all our garage was full of airplane parts and CRS was born. Starting from scratch is not easy but his tenacity and determination drove him to success. From the inception of CRS we have worked side-by-side and I’m sure everyone would love to work for him because of his warmth, fairness and honesty." Mirta Chang, office manager and mother of founder Armando Leighton, Jr.

"25 years ago CRS Jet Spares was established in a family garage. Under the outstanding leadership of our President Armando Leighton Jr., CRS Jet Spares has grown into one of the most successful preferred suppliers to the corporate jet operators around the world. I have enjoyed working for Armando for the past 11 years because we share the same commitment, which is to continually improve to the highest level of customer satisfaction. I appreciate the opportunity I have been given to excel within the company and to work with an exceptionally talented and dedicated team. But most of all I feel the company still has that family feeling of 25 years ago." Karen Alymda, sales/rewards coordinator

"I have known this company, Founder and CEO Armando Leighton Jr. for almost 25 years. As a customer, Armando and his team were always a pleasure to deal with, as a member of the CRS team I feel lucky to be part of such a quality organization, and as a friend of Armando’s I am very pleased for him to have achieved something so special here at CRS! The mission of CRS back in Mom’s garage in 1982 was to provide quality services and support at competitive prices and to serve the customer with prompt, helpful and honest dialogue that yields awareness, satisfaction and added value to their operation! Guess what? The mission for CRS today remains the same and this is merely a small factor in what has made CRS such a successful part of the business aviation community today! In the business world it is not uncommon for a company to grow and forget the core values that made it a success in the early days. CRS Jet Spares demonstrates these successful core values every day, through its continuous commitment to both customers and employees. I am very proud to be a part of this effort and look forward to continuing the relationship for the next 25 years." Jack Caloras, VP sales and operations

In April 2006, CRS became ISO 9001:2000 and AS9120 certified. This achievement was a direct result of CRS’ teamwork that effectively developed and maintained the quality management system. "Becoming the best at what you do begins with a personal commitment followed by a highly focused team approach to hard work, dedication and the determination to be part of every customer’s strategy for success. This commitment is demonstrated by CRS today in having attained AS9120 as well as ASA100 accreditation in 2006. It is a tribute to our team and how CRS operates," said Armando Leighton Jr. Also in 2006, Securaplane signed a major distribution agreement for emergency batteries with CRS, adding the servicing and sales capabilities of the batteries. In 2007, CRS signed with Perkins Aircraft Services, Inc. to stock and distribute manufactured windows and windshields, expanding its inventory and giving the business jet community another outlet for window requirements. Perkins and CRS held a joint signing event at this year’s PAMA conference in Orlando, Fla.

As the business jet industry grows, its needs for parts and service also become greater. With CRS Jet Spares in its corner, the business jet community can rest easy; there will always be someone helpful and pleasant to answer the call for help.

1982:

Corporate Rotable & Supply opens for business.

1985-1990:

Lear, Hawker, Citation, Falcon and Gulfstream support begins.

1991-1996:

Challenger support begins.

1997-2002:

CRS completes its certification, flight test and receives STC/PMA for the AS3579-000. The first AS3579-000 unit is installed on a Lear 55.

2003-2007:

The A3579-000 meets and passes 3,000 hours TBO. CRS receives its AS9120 and ASA-100 accreditations and becomes a distribution center for Standard Aero on APU Support. CRS celebrates 25 years in business and signs with Perkins.