34-year-old Michael Steinbaugh says, "I was introduced into aviation by fate. I was working my way through community college in my hometown of Danville, IL, deciding what I wanted to do with life when I was approached by a friend who had a friend that restored WWII aircraft. I had never entertained the idea of anything aviation but had nothing to lose. I began working with Mike Vadeboncoeur at Midwest Aero Restorations and was immediately bitten by the aviation bug. After working with Mike and crew for a couple of years, restoring P-51 Mustangs to award-winning quality, I made the decision to pursue my A&P. My career has been steadily advancing since completion of my A&P and bachelor’s degree in aviation maintenance from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL."
He began his career at Jet Aviation, then Midcoast, in 2005 as a technician on second shift. He earned a lead position on second shift after three years working primarily on Bombardier Challenger CL-600 series aircraft. From there he was awarded a position as aircraft lead, making the long-awaited move to dayshift, and has worked his way up to his current position of Customer Account Representative in September of 2014. He has attended factory training for the Challenger 604, 605, and 300 series aircraft, as well as participated in the Advisory Board for Challenger 600 series in Montreal.
Matthew Harter, instructor at Southwestern Illinois College, says, "Mike's rise in positions occurred as rapidly as the company changed names, from Midcoast, to Midcoast, a Jet Aviation company, to just Jet Aviation. Customer satisfaction and quality work are two of his top goals and it always showed through his commitment to the company and the job at hand. Recently he moved off of the floor and into the position of customer account representative. Mike has always been a leader in whatever position he held, and more than that a mentor for new technicians. On-time deliveries of an excellent product to satisfied customers is a constant result of Mike's hard work and dedication."
Steinbaugh says, "My current position allows me the opportunity to share what I have learned with the new workforce at Jet Aviation, as well as the customers I interact with as I manage their projects and continue to provide advice and assistance between maintenance events. Sharing my knowledge of the Challenger airframe with those looking to follow a similar path, allows me to stay in touch with the technicians on the floor, which is where my passion for aviation began."
