It’s no secret to people who have been involved in complex projects or who lead companies that a strong team is the key to success. Having a dedicated group of professionals working together is the most effective way to solve difficult problems, perform at a high level, and propel a company forward.
Although you don’t hear from them often in Flight Levels, Twin Commander Aircraft has a small, dedicated core staff that does everything from respond to customer requests to design new parts. It’s hard work in the best of times, but the world has been through a trying year, and our team has risen to the challenge without missing a beat. For this issue, rather than having me introduce them to you, I thought I’d give them the chance to introduce themselves—how long they’ve been with the company, their job responsibilities, and most importantly, what Twin Commander means to them.
Pam Brown, parts specialist
Hired: 2004
Responsibilities: In concert with engineering, and based on customer feedback and sales figures, Pam works with component manufacturers to maintain a stock of about 4,000 parts. She also helps to create new Custom Kits.
“I like to think of Twin owners and the guys who work on them as a big family. When someone buys one, I think, Welcome to the family. You’re part of our group now. We want to keep you informed and keep you flying. I love the challenge of the job. Every day is a little different. I never know who’s going to call me or what I’m going to need to do to help them.
I love to talk to owners and hear how much they love the airplane and how much they appreciate our support. I want them to know they’re very important and if they need something, I’ll spend hours finding a solution. I don’t like to admit defeat. If I run into a brick wall I go to the engineers and together we’ll find a way to get around it.”
Pam Moore, librarian
Hired: 2020
Responsibilities: Pam maintains engineering drawings, flight and maintenance manuals, and government compliance documents. She also writes orders for service centers.
“I had no idea you had to do all these things to keep an airplane flying. It’s a wow factor. Knowing that in your hands you’re holding a part that is critical and you have to get it right is a great responsibility. I’m amazed at how much everyone here knows and how quickly they can recall the information. I enjoy the people and coming in knowing you’re doing something different each day.”
Andrew Wilson, technical specialist
Hired: 2020
Responsibilities: As the conduit between customers, service centers, and engineering, Andrew is the primary technical representative for the various models.
“Twin Commanders, unlike most airframes today, are legacy aircraft without a life limit. I didn’t realize when I started what a small community it is. Coming from working on Cessnas and Bombardiers, contacts are spread all over the world. Here I know all the customers on a first-name basis. It’s a small-town feel from a big company. This is my home and, hopefully, a long-time career for me like it was for my predecessor, Geoffrey Pence.”
Alan Wright, engineer
Hired: 2006
Responsibilities: As the staff engineer, Alan updates drawings to current standards, interfaces with the FAA to solve airworthiness issues, writes service publications, interfaces with suppliers in designing parts, and works with the internal quality team to review orders.
“I’m always inspired when I think about how Twin started, Ted Smith’s journey and perseverance in getting this dream of his off the ground, and especially how enduring the Twin legacy is. Sometimes when I’m going through reports and drawings, I see documents that are 40 years old with names on them of people that are still, or have recently, worked on Twin Commanders, like Geoffrey Pence and Fred Gatz. And I regularly hear about pilots and mechanics who cut their teeth on Twins and still love them and fly them. It makes me want to do my part in keeping Twin Commander parts and maintenance costs affordable so that they can keep flying for another 30 years!
“As many in the Twin Commander community know, Commanders are used extensively in firefighting service. I greatly admire the men and women who risk their lives every year containing the fires that increasingly ravage our landscape. It makes me feel good to work for a company where I can contribute in some small way to that effort.
“I feel extremely lucky to work at Twin Commander during these trying times. We have been able to remain open, and our company has adapted by enabling many of us to work from home. We are more fortunate than many folks have been, and I appreciate that every day.”
As for me, Twin Commander is a proud history of great design, great support, and continued innovation. But as much as I love the airplanes, aviation is truly about the people. It’s this team, the many staff members at our Twin Commander Factory Authorized Service Centers I’ve become friends with over the years and, of course, the owners and operators. Now that you know the team, be sure to reach out and let us know what we can to do make your experience of owning, flying, or maintaining these airplanes even better.
