LeWayne Engelstad
LaWayne Engelstad is a Quality Control Inspector for a major airline, an instrument-rated private pilot, and an Airframe and Powerplant technician. LaWayne is also founder and President of a software development company used by major aircraft and engine manufacturers for resource optimization and compliance management. He has led projects and workshops for improvements in workforce utilization, and has assisted aviation-related businesses in areas of administration and regulatory compliance.
As a Quality Control Inspector LaWayne reviews and approves flight-critical maintenance on Boeing and Airbus aircraft, assuring compliance with Airline, Manufacturer, and FAA manuals, procedures, and directives. He also uses sophisticated equipment to perform specialized inspections on aircraft and engine components and assemblies. Data gathered from these inspections assist in managing maintenance trends and assure the overall health of the fleet. His experience as a pilot and A&P technician compliment his inspection skills and provide a well-rounded knowledge of the performance requirements necessary for successful flight operations and regulatory compliance.
Recognizing the opportunity to better utilize technical skills in an increasingly complex aviation environment, LaWayne formed a business which combines his knowledge with a wide variety of professionals in the industry to create innovative concepts for the aviation community via web-based software. Design and development of this software has required in-depth study in areas of Safety/Risk Management Systems, Process Improvement, Human Resources, and Compliance Management for the Federal Aviation Administration, Civil Aviation Authority, European Aviation Safety Agency, and International Civil Aviation Organization.
LaWayne graduated from Texas Aero Technical College, Dallas Texas, in 1988 with an award for Outstanding Achievement. Within the next year he obtained his Airframe and Powerplant Certificates and certification as a Private Pilot. In 1993 he completed a two-year course in Avionics from the College of San Mateo, San Mateo California, and later that year earned the Federal Communication Commission’s Radiotelephone License. Throughout his career he has completed over 200 specialized aircraft courses.
LaWayne began his aviation career performing maintenance and inspection on General and Business Aviation aircraft in Addison Texas. He then took employment with a major airline, working in San Francisco, Indianapolis, and Washington DC, where he specialized in aircraft major repairs and modifications of metal and composite structures and electrical installations. He qualified and obtained Quality Control positions in areas of x-ray, eddy current, ultrasound, magnetic and fluorescent penetrant inspections on structures and borescope inspections of engine internal components.
LaWayne has also been engaged in short term projects, such as managing contract workers for FBOs, and supervising teams for the transition of a major airline maintenance operation to repurpose as MRO.