Twenty-five years ago, three mechanics took a leap of faith and opened a maintenance shop near Dayton, Ohio, specializing in Learjets—because that was what they had been working on—and potential customers were lining up to give them business. As it turned out, they had planned to open and do the work under their individual A&P mechanic licenses but realized that most customers would prefer doing business with an FAA-approved Part 145 repair station, so they took the time to obtain that approval and opened Spectra Jet the day after the November Thanksgiving holiday in 1998. Since then, business has exploded.
“Our only down year was after 9-11,” said John Yegerlehner, company president and chief inspector. He founded the company along with Mike Catherwood, who retired in 2020, and another mechanic who sold his share early on so he could spend more time with his growing family. Since opening its doors in the FBO’s hangar at Springfield/Beckley Airport, Spectra Jet has grown from the three founding mechanics to 30 people.
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