Western Avionics Inc., the longtime Spokane-based provider of aircraft electronics equipment and pilot supplies, has added aircraft maintenance to its services, and has changed its operating name to Western Aviation, says Dave Hood, the companys owner and manager.


The new aircraft maintenance service includes engine and airframe maintenance and repairs.


Hood says the name change to Western Aviation reflects the range of services the company is offering as a fixed-base operator at the Felts Field Municipal Airport in East Spokane.


The company has nearly doubled its space there, with the lease of a 10,000-square-foot aircraft maintenance building, next to the 12,000-square-foot facility that it already occupied at 5505 E. Rutter.


Were already starting to see the ramp fill up with airplanes, Hood says


Western Aviation has six employees, one of whom is dedicated to aircraft maintenance, but Hood says he expects to hire another aircraft-maintenance employee in coming weeks. Hes also looking to hire an avionics technician.


Hood says the company plans to begin selling aircraft fuel once its maintenance division is better established.


Weve been bombarded with requests to offer fuel, he says.


The companys avionics division, which sells, installs, and services general aviation, navigation, and flight-control systems, will remain the core of the business, Hood says. The company also operates a gift shop and pilot store, called Pilots Place.


Hood declines to disclose the companys annual revenues, but says theyve been consistent since 2004 following a temporary spike in revenue from a substantial influx of aircraft in the Spokane area that required work.


With the addition of the maintenance division, he anticipates growth in revenue for Western Aviation.


With all of the startup costs, we expect an average year this year and a good year next year, Hood says.


Western Avionics opened at Felts Field in 1974. Hood bought out his former partner, Larry McNeese, in 2003.


Contact Mike McLean at (509) 344-1266 or via e-mail at [email protected].