June 23, 2021
In early 2020, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) had a vision to transform its maintenance training capability by adopting cutting-edge curricula and modern simulation technologies. After a highly-competitive selection cycle, PKL was chosen via commercial contract award to spearhead this modernization effort in Bangkok, Thailand. The contract award, with a total value of approximately $1.8 million in the first year of execution, produces a modern maintenance training center and a customized Basics of Aircraft Maintenance Course (BAMC). PKL is teamed with Raydant International Company, LTD, our Thai partner, and ST Engineering Training & Simulation Systems Pte. Ltd., our simulation solutions provider, to deliver this contract.
Official Activation of the RTAF Simulation Center, Bangkok, Thailand
Phase 1 of the contract was a nine-month curriculum, courseware, and equipment development period, culminating with the opening of the RTAF Training Center in January 2021. The Center features gamified computer-based training, augmented reality, virtual reality, and a server-based Learning Management System. These technologies integrate PKL’s trademarked OmniSpec Training System, providing full-spectrum, on-demand, and blended learning. Click here to learn more: http://www.pklservices.com/capabilities/omnispec/
Phase 2 of the contract commenced in February and initiated delivery of BAMC courses for academic year 2021. PKL’s primary instructors, Stephen Barsalou and Ryan Stumpf, both US Air Force veterans and experienced maintenance instructors, are headquartered in Bangkok and provide full-spectrum instructional activities to Thai students, and also, they manage customer and partner support activities and the myriad of logistics coordination issues attendant to a complex training environment.
Mr. Al Porter, PKL’s Director of Air Force Programs, had high praise for his two instructors:
“Because the BAMC is an inaugural program in Thailand and the first of its kind for the RTAF, Steve and Ryan serve not only as instructors, but more so as ambassadors for PKL. Arriving in Bangkok in the midst of tight COVID-related restrictions, they led an exhaustive installation, test, and delivery process and certified the 8 Stage, 32 module BAMC curriculum, resulting in on-schedule, on-cost performance. Because of Steve’s and Ryan’s acumen and persistence, we received glowing reviews from senior RTAF Officers, reflecting great credit on all of us at PKL.”
PKL Instructors Teaching RTAF Students in Bangkok
BAMC class cohort #1, approximately 20 students, finished in March, and we are now in flow with the second BAMC student cohort, comprised of 40 RTAF cadets, who upon graduation will transition to follow-on assignments in RTAF’s aircraft maintenance specialties in jet, transport, and helicopter platforms. We expect another 2-3 BAMC courses, each 40 cadets per course, for the remainder of this academic year.
Kim Robling, PKL’s Training Manager, is proud of the stellar performance of the BAMC contract, which she said could not have been accomplished without the leadership of Al Porter, the ingenuity of instructors Steve Barsalou and Ryan Stumpf, and the dedication of Paul King’s curriculum development team, who produced over 600 pages of customized courseware with associated presentation decks and plans of instruction, all of which were replicated in the suite of simulation courseware.
The BAMC contract follows on the heels of other PKL awards in Thailand–a baseline assessment of Thai Aviation Industries’ (TAI) Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, and, a T-56 Quick Engine Change (QEC) technical training contract, also supporting TAI in Bangkok.
June 15, 2021
PKL Services, Inc. has received notice of successful award for performance as a subcontractor to 4M HR Logistics, LLC on the Point Mugu, CA I-Level Engine Repair contract. PKL will continue to support the Commander Naval Air Forces Pacific (CNAP) Intermediate Level Maintenance repair on the T-56 425/427/427A engines, Airframes assembly, Logs & Records and has added the capability to perform maintenance on T-56 engine Power Section, Aviation Life Support Systems, Support Equipment Electrical branch and the Paint & Final Finish in support of various aircraft platforms.
The contract was awarded as a CFT contract to 4M HR Logistics on 6/1/2021 and is a multi-year task order.
PKL is honored and appreciative of the opportunity to continue to support this effort.
May 27, 2021
PKL is honored to be recognized by Aerospace and Defense Review as a Top 10 MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) Company in 2021. This recognition highlights our exceptional service and dedicated commitment the US Military, our customers, and our skilled personnel. As a veteran-focused company, on average, we retain a workforce comprised of approximately 90% veterans.
PKL is featured in this two-page article in the May edition of Aerospace and Defense Review which includes an interview with PKL CEO, Patrick “Paddy” Gough. In the interview, Paddy discusses our commitment to hiring veterans, our focus on exceptional service at cost-effective rates, and highlights our unique approach to innovative training methods within the aviation industry, utilizing our trademarked full spectrum training system, OmniSpec(R). We are proud of the growth PKL has experienced and look forward to the multitude of new opportunities on the horizon for PKL. The recognition of PKL with this award further supports our commitment to excellence and showcases our exceptional service.
May 22, 2021
We are grateful to 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, MCAS Miramar, and MCAS Camp Pendleton for hosting PKL this week. We were filming a new video and TV show segment to highlight the opportunities that are available for Military Veterans when they transition from active duty and demonstrating the capabilities that PKL’s 90% veteran workforce provides. As always, the Marines were professional, courteous, and supportive throughout the process. It was also a fun couple of days for our executive team, retired Marines – Col Patrick Gough (PKL CEO/President) and Col Mike Naylor (PKL COO), to be back on the flightlines at the respective bases where they once held command(s) and with the aircraft they flew.
April 12, 2021
PKL Services, Inc. (PKL) and Flex Air, two San Diego-based aerospace companies, recently submitted a joint proposal seeking FAA grant funding to provide innovative solutions to offset projected pilot shortages and a lack of readily accessible pilot training within the aviation industry. The PKL / Flex Air proposal solves these critical aviation workforce development issues for a potentially unlimited number of high school students while offering ongoing professional development for teachers. We accomplish these tasks through our mutually supportive Teacher to Pilot and Virtual Aerodrome Lab programs executed by a proven, mature, ISO 9001-2015 certified and Part 61 certificated aerospace and defense industry team.
Flex Air’s Teacher to Pilot program provides affordable Private Pilot License or Certificated Flight Instructor training to high school educators along with guaranteed access to low-cost financing through Income Share Agreements (ISAs).
Paul Wynns, Flex Air’s CEO, stated “Affordability is a critical limiting factor in the delivery of flight training for educators, especially to minority populations who disproportionately lack access to traditional loans, high credit scores, or loan co-signers. We are the only industry team offering ISAs for aviation training.”
Furthermore, Mr. Wynns believes the FAA’s Workforce Development mission of bringing training to urban, suburban, and rural populations is a perfect match for Flex Air’s ethos. “We focus on superior outcomes for student pilots as recognized by an ‘Aviation Owners and Pilots Association Distinguished Flight School’ Award in 2019. Our founding vision emphasizes community, affordability, and a holistic approach that provides career-long mentorship, more than just flight hours and ratings.” All fight training will be delivered using Flex Air’s award-winning Part 61 programming as described at www.goflexair.com.
PKL’s Virtual Aerodrome Lab (VAL) uses on demand immersive simulation technology to reach a potentially unlimited audience of high school students regardless of geographical location. The VAL uses medium-fidelity virtual simulation for various positions correlated in the airfield environment with the following cutting-edge attributes:
- Gamified Computer Based Training (G-CBT) modalities
- Emergency drills simulations such as weather, safety, ground traffic, or pre-/post flight discrepancies
- A distributed system connecting multiple stations over a shared network
The VAL curriculum, anchored on authoritative FAA manuals and handbooks, incorporates these four modules: (1) Basic Aircraft Systems Overview; (2) Pre-flight Operations; (3) Takeoff, Landing, Go-Arounds; and (4) Post-flight Operations.
PKL’s Training Manager, Ms. Kim Robling, is excited to reach diverse high school populations and sees great potential in teaming with Flex Air. “PKL provides custom-built training programs to universities, government agencies, corporations, and the military via OmniSpec® – our registered Training System – which uses modern technologies like Learning Management Systems (LMS), gamified computer-based training (G-CBT), augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR). We can deliver an engaging, life-like experience for these emerging aerospace professionals.” To learn more about OmniSpec see our website link at www.pklservices.com/capabilities/omnispec.
Ms. Robling and Mr. Wynns were unanimous in their commitment to the FAA’s Workforce Development objectives: “Team PKL /Flex Air will provide award-winning flight training and guaranteed ISA financing to high school educators who will attain Private Pilot or Certificated Flight Instructor ratings depending on their existing flight experience. These educators, armed with real-world flight experience, will return to their classrooms to employ our team’s Virtual Aerodrome Lab (VAL) to prepare and inspire students for eventual aviation careers. Our proven virtual training system expertise will be leveraged to rapidly create an engaging, gamified, mobile-enabled aviation training environment that can be accessed by any high schooler with access to a broadband connection anywhere in the country.”
Concerning Grant timelines, the FAA solicitation document projects to announce winners in the 3rd Quarter, and allocate funding in the 4th Quarter, of 2021.
To see a previous collaborative product by Team PKL / Flex Air, entitled “The Pre-Flight Challenge,” visit https://goflexair.com/preflightchallenge. This product created virtual renderings of an authentic airfield environment and replicated a point-to-point pre-flight inspection checklist procedure, in both tutorial and assessment modes, with real-time progress feedback.
PKL Services, Inc. was established in 2003, is headquartered in Poway, CA, and provides both U.S. and Allied Military Services with experienced and qualified personnel to execute aerospace maintenance, training, and logistics management services.
Flex Air Aviation was established in 2016, and has flight schools in Manhattan, KS, San Diego, CA, & Amarillo, TX. Recognized in 2019 as an AOPA Distinguished Flight School, Flex Air provides Career and Adventure pilot training as well as Certified Instructor Pilot Training with the best flight training experts.
March 9, 2021
PKL Services, Inc. has received notice of award for performance as a subcontractor to 4M HR Logistics, LLC. PKL will support the Commander Naval Air Forces Pacific (CNAP) C-2A Operational Level Maintenance for the VRC-30 Squadron at Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island, San Diego, CA.
The award is a Contract Field Team (CFT) contract dated February 28, 2021 with a transition that commenced on March 1, 2021. The base period will begin on April 1, 2021 with option periods through 2024. PKL will employ thirteen (13) employees as Aircraft Mechanics (Levels II, and III) and a site supervisor.
PKL’s CEO and President, Patrick “Paddy” Gough, stated “We are excited about this work in San Diego at North Island. We happily welcome the newest employees to the PKL Family and recognize the importance of the effort this contract requires. It is an honor to have been chosen to support CNAP and VRC-30.”
PKL Services, Inc. was established in 2003, is headquartered in Poway, CA, and provides domestic and international aviation maintenance, training and logistics support through experienced and qualified personnel.
January 29, 2021
PKL Services, Inc. has received notice of award for performance as a subcontractor to 4M HR Logistics, LLC. PKL will support the Commander Naval Air Forces Pacific (CNAP) F/A-18 Flight Line and “O” Level Maintenance for the VX-9 Squadron at Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake, Ridgecrest, CA.
The Task Order was awarded as a CFT Contract to 4M HR Logistics on 12/30/2020 with a transition period that commenced 1/1/2021 and the basic period beginning on 2/1/21 with options through 2024. PKL will employ 48 employees, including Aircraft Mechanics, Flight Equipment Technicians, Aircraft Logs and Records Technicians, Aircraft Workers, Supply Techs, and a site supervisor.
PKL’s CEO and President, Patrick “Paddy” Gough, stated “We are looking forward to this work at China Lake and we are excited to welcome our newest employees to PKL. We recognize the value and importance of the effort this contract requires and we’re honored to be chosen to support CNAP with this.”
PKL Services, Inc. was established in 2003, is headquartered in Poway, CA, and provides both U.S. and Allied Military Services with experienced and qualified personnel to execute aerospace maintenance, training, and logistics management services.
November 25, 2020
PKL continues to employ nearly 90% of our personnel as a Veteran population. We are proud to be a Veteran friendly company and continue to pursue opportunities to recruit and retain these skilled personnel.
This is why we are grateful to the recognition from Military.com for our status as a Veteran Friendly company and we will proudly continue to adhere to our Veteran Hiring Pledge to provide as many positions as possible to those transitioning from the military.
October 14, 2020
We are incredibly proud of our employees and how they have helped us to navigate the many challenges of 2020. It has been a tumultuous year for many, PKL included. However, through the dedication of our employees and their commitment to both professional excellence and health measures, PKL has not only maintained our business success, but persevered to gain new contracts as well.
As a result of this, the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce recognized our efforts and achievements this year, awarding us one of the three finalist spots for their Small Business Awards for the 2020 Success Story. While we didn’t ultimately “win” the top spot, we are honored to have been recognized for everything our employees have achieved this year.
We are proud of the work we do with all of our customers and look forward to continuing to serve each of them.
October 8, 2020
PKL has proudly employed many veterans since our founding in 2003. The work we do often requires a unique skill set only found in highly trained veterans. As a result, we typically retain approximately 90% of our workforce as military veterans.
This dedication to hiring veterans has been recognized by “Beyond the Uniform” (https://vetsbeyondtheuniform.com/) as they have awarded us the prestigious “Veteran Ready” status. This means that we are a Veteran Employer of Choice and that we continue to support veterans within our company.
PKL understands that our success is the direct result of our employees and their dedication to our customers. We applaud each and every one of them and thank them for their continued service.
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