About

About Evan McKeirnan

Evan McKeirnan has nearly three decades of experience in the corporate aviation industry. His fascination with and passion for aviation began early in high school and continued into college. He attended A&P school at Spokane Community College in Washington, where he obtained his Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airframe and Powerplant Certificates and Associate degree in Applied Science—Aviation Maintenance (AAS).

Evan is also licensed FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) with Inspection Authorization (IA), FAA Private Pilot & Third-Class Medical (PP-ASEL), and FAA Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) Remote Pilot.

He has received extensive training, including Gulfstream G450 and G550 at FlightSafety International. Evan has been the recipient of the FAA Silver and Bronze Awards over several years, the AMT Society Magazine & Online 2015 “NextGen 40 under 40” Award, and has been honored with the FlightSafety Savannah – Gulfstream G550Advanced Troubleshooting, Top Troubleshooter Award, and Master Technician Award.

Evan’s career has allowed him to meet CEOs, CFOs, and actors.

An Uncompromising Focus on Safety and Airworthiness

Upon completing his studies and training in 1999, Evan McKeirnan was offered a position in Van Nuys, California, as Crew Chief on Gulfstream GII, GIII, GIV, and GV. He also worked at Van Nuys Airport for four years as a Chief Inspector, Nose Abatement Representative, on Gulfstream GII, GIII, GIV, GV, Learjet 28, 31A, 35, 36, 55, 60, and Challenger 601. Evan then worked as a Maintenance Technician for EJI (Net Jets) and AAM fleet aircraft.

Evan also held various other critical positions, including West Coast Maintenance Manager for Presidential Aviation in Long Beach and Director of Maintenance at Jet Edge International (Western Air Charter, Inc.) & Crystal Air in Scottsdale, AZ, where he worked on Gulfstream GIII, GIV, GV, G200, G450, and G550 aircraft.

Work as Chief Inspection and Maintenance Supervisor

He returned to Van Nuys, and for six years, Evan was the Chief Inspection and Maintenance Supervisor for Western Jet Aviation, where he oversaw the Inspection Department. He also served as the Acting Director of Maintenance for five Gulfstream Part 91 aircraft, including performing due list projections, maintenance budgets, CMP management, and owner interface; developed the Repair Station Manual, Quality Control Manual, and Training Program; developed the Repair Station European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Supplement; and managed special projects with NASA – Dryden, Lockheed Martin – Mission & Defense and Raytheon – Flight Test Operations. He also performed Special Flight Permits (SFP), Aircraft Import and Export with FAA DAR, assisted 135 operators with Conformity Inspections and records research, conducted onsite and offsite Pre-Purchase Inspections and Aircraft Technical Evaluations, and managed 47 employees, including 18 inspectors and seven repairmen. He provided training instruction for Maintenance, Inspection, and Parts Department employees.

Evan’s other key positions included Director of Maintenance at Prime Jet in Englewood, Colorado, responsible for fourteen Gulfstream aircraft based throughout the United States and Singapore. He constructed NextGen avionics mandate packages and operator compliance manuals for CPDLC, ADSB-out, and FANS 1/A, and revised company manuals to include GMM, MSOP, MEL, and RVSM for FAR compliance and efficiency improvements through evolving Safety Management System (SMS).

His experience brought him to Aero Cadre/Monza Aviation, where he was the Director of Maintenance for two Gulfstream aircraft based in the United States operating worldwide. He oversaw the completion of the newly delivered G550, including contract review and completion, paint and strip layout, cabin furnishing and equipment installation, and customer acceptance flight, including fit/form/function of all aircraft and cabin systems and furnishings. He actively engaged A&P mechanics, performing scheduled and unscheduled maintenance and engine changes (GIV), towing aircraft, and management of hangars. In addition, he managed the maintenance of the client’s classic/exotic car collection (37 vehicles).

Evan also served as Project Manager – Special Missions at the Springfield Air Defense and the Chief Inspector of Springfield Aircraft Chart and Sales in Kansas City, Missouri, for a Gulfstream GVII-G600 aircraft based in the United States operating worldwide. He oversaw two Asia-based Cessna CJ4s and revamped the FAA 135 General Maintenance Manual and G6000 Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Program (CAMP), compliance audits, and aircraft ramp checks.

Currently Working as Maintenance Supervisor, Solairus Aviation

Earlier this year, Evan accepted the position of Maintenance Supervisor at Solairus Aviation, a private jet charter and aircraft management company in Van Nuys. Evan is responsible for scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, inspections, quotes, and aircraft.

Comprehensive, Ongoing Training

Evan is sought after, having had the training and experience to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft he oversees. He is continuously looking to expand his knowledge and skills, with his most recent training including courses in Gulfstream GVI-G650 Engine Run & Taxi (ERT) Ground and Simulator Initial; Gulfstream GVI-G650 Maintenance Initial w/ Systems Integration; Airport Signs and Markings (Engine Run & Taxi requirement); Solairus University including Mx, Ops, HR, IT, and D&A; GMM (Part 91), Annual IT Cyber Training, and Harassment and Discrimination Prevention; Springfield TSA 12-5 Program Training; and Gulfstream Ground Handling and Servicing.

Inspired at a Young Age to Enter the World of Aviation

Born in Pomeroy, Washington, Evan McKeirnan grew up near a local crop dusting airport and enjoyed surveying the crops with his neighbor at a very young age. He was inspired by a family friend who went into corporate aviation after A&P school and quickly advanced to Director of Maintenance at a Gulfstream FAR 135 charter operation. Evan went to work for him shortly after A&P school, where he learned about the business.

Evan is involved with several aviation organizations, including the FAAST team. He’s given back to the industry by assisting aspiring A&Ps with getting into school, finding job placement, and testing for their A&P. He’s spoken to students at Spokane Community College on several occasions.

Racing Offroad Motorcycles

Evan has enjoyed riding offroad motorcycles in the AMA District 37 Grand Prix and Desert series for more than two decades. He’s won many races in the AMA D37 series and is currently

racing as an Expert in the Senior/40+ 251cc+, Evolution, and Revolution classes.