Building on a Proud History of
Supporting Legacy Aircraft
By Matt Isley
President,
Twin Commander Aircraft
After nearly two decades of service, our dear friend Jim Matheson is stepping down as President of Twin Commander Aircraft. There is no doubt that his leadership has been a major factor in the continued success of the Twin Commander fleet and the network of service centers that keep these beautiful birds in the air.
To ensure a smooth transition, Jim and I have been working closely for the past several months. His insight and judgment have been very valuable to me as I try to fill some pretty big shoes. Please join me in congratulating Jim on a lifetime of accomplishment and leaving behind a legacy from which we can all prosper.
Over the past few months I have been able to meet many of you—our owners and operators—as well as the great folks in our Service Center network, and it is apparent that your passion and enthusiasm for the aircraft is unsurpassed.
A word about our authorized Service Centers: I don’t think I’ve ever met a more dedicated group of people. As I spend time with these folks, it’s apparent to me that what they do is in their blood. They’ve dedicated a large portion of their lives and livelihood to supporting the fleet. They do a fantastic job of serving the customer.
And you pilots: You love flying the Commander. We talk a lot about performance and efficiency, but pilots are quick to point out that it’s not just about the numbers; the Twin Commander also is a great airplane to fly. I’ve talked to owners who have moved from a Commander into a jet who wish they had their Commander back. Some do come back. That says a lot. It truly is a great aircraft in so many respects.
Twin Commander Aircraft’s new owner, Firstmark Corporation, has a proud history of supporting legacy aircraft—general aviation, commercial, and military—that dates back to the 1940s. Over the years we’ve looked at other legacy type certificate holders and what stood out at Twin Commander was the service center network that’s been established. There are lots of other out-of-production aircraft that simply do not benefit from such a strong support network.
I have worked with Firstmark Corporation in a number of roles over the last five years, and I know that Firstmark will be a great complement to the Twin Commander family. We understand what it means to support legacy aircraft. That’s our business.
It all speaks well for the viability and future of the Twin Commander fleet.
Personally, I plan to spend my time working with our Service Centers and listening to our owners to learn how we can provide even better service to the worldwide fleet. I want to know how you think Twin Commander Aircraft can improve the safety and performance of the airplane, as well as enhance the ownership experience. My door is always open and my cell phone is always on. You can also reach me at [email protected].
I hope to hear from you.
Matt Isley joined Firstmark Aerospace in August 2004 as Program Manager and was promoted to Director of Strategy and Business Development of the parent company, Firstmark Corporation, in March 2007. Prior to joining Firstmark he was an independent consultant providing market analysis and business, product, and process development services to clients in various industries. Before that he led the engineering development of RF antenna designs for an international consumer products company and served on various industry association subcommittees. Matt served in the U.S. Navy submarine force, where he held various roles related to operations and maintenance of ship nuclear reactor systems. He is a graduate of North Carolina State University, where he received Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and M.B.A. degrees, and is an adjunct lecturer in the Jenkins Graduate School of Business.
From The Start, The Goal Was World-Class Service
By Jim Matheson
Back then the company was young and struggling with a wing spar corrosion issue, a lack of critical replacement parts, poor communication with the service center network, disillusioned owners and operators, and a balance sheet that was out of balance.
In 90 days we had the company in a positive financial position by reducing staff and inventory, and streamlining our parts pipeline. We attacked the communication problem by creating an advisory committee comprised of factory, service center network, and product and service representatives that continues to meet to this day, and by convening an annual service center symposium. We founded the Twin Commander University to foster a better relationship among all members of the Twin Commander family—owners and operators, service centers, product and service providers, and Twin Commander Aircraft.
Those were heady days indeed. Little did I know that, like that guy on the old razor-blade commercial, I would come to appreciate the product so much that I bought the company.
I was a certificated pilot when I came to Twin Commander so I understood the principles of flight, but the training that has served me best was the time I spent at Caterpillar right out of college, and then 17 years at Paccar, maker of Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks. My field was customer service—making sure heavy equipment operators and, later, truckers had access to parts and service. I quickly learned that if a bulldozer or truck is down because a part is not available, the owner of that dozer or truck will come looking for you.
So, I came to Twin Commander having learned that a successful business model is built around providing high-quality parts and world-class service at reasonable prices, and on time. Realizing those objectives cleared the way to developing a relationship of trust and respect between Twin Commander Aircraft, our service centers, and our owners and operators.
Seeing that trust take root and grow strong and mature has been my proudest accomplishment at Twin Commander Aircraft. That, and developing a company that is profitable, because that is only way you can take care of the customer.
Recently I set sail—literally—on a new and exciting phase of my life. My wife, Cheryl, and I have sold our home and have moved into new digs: the SeaJay, a 70-foot Pacific Mariner. We will spend the next few years cruising the waters of the Pacific Northwest stretching from Tacoma to British Columbia, Canada, including the beautiful San Juan Islands, and making an extended cruise up the Northwest Passage to Alaska.
I leave confident that the three-legged stool that is Twin Commander—a great aircraft, an enthusiastic and committed cadre
of owners and operators, and a focused and cohesive factory and service center team—is sturdy and standing tall, and will grow even stronger as Twin Commander Aircraft moves forward under the new ownership and guidance of Firstmark Corporation.
Thank you all for a wonderful flight.
