Veteran continues his love for aviation post-Air Force By Jillian Chandler | Photo by In-Gear Media
“When I was 8 years old, my grandpa took me for my first flight in an airplane. Ever since, I have loved all things aviation,” Brandon Baimbridge reminisces.
This experience as a young boy would inspire him throughout his life. Brandon enlisted in the US Air Force, where he became an aircraft mechanic and qualified to work on heavy airlift aircraft including the AC-130, MC-130, C-17 and C-5 aircraft. As a Special Airlift Maintenance technician, his duties included: Flying Crew Chief (flew with aircrew on board aircraft to fix any maintenance issues encountered while at combat/obscure locations); Quality Assurance (oversaw aircraft maintainers’ compliance with technical orders, rules and regulations); Standardization and Evaluations (evaluated multi-national aircraft maintainers in the performance of their duties); and Production Superintendent (coordinated all maintenance activities).
Brandon is an FAA airframe and powerplant mechanic (FAA A&P) with an Inspection Authorization endorsement (IA) and FAA private pilot (licensed to operate single-engine land aircraft). He is qualified to determine the airworthiness of aircraft by inspecting repairs or alterations for conformity to approved data and assuring that the aircraft is in condition for safe operation.
Throughout the years of his service, Brandon received numerous awards and decorations: Meritorious Service Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, Air Force Level Maintenance Safety Award, Air Mobility Command Maintenance Safety Award, and multiple Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO) and Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Maintenance Professional of the Quarter and of the Year awards.
During his 20 years in the Air Force, and 10 deployments, Brandon honed his skills; developed discipline and safety-consciousness; refined and expanded his technical knowledge; was provided real-world experiences; was exposed to cultures around the world; and his love for aviation was fostered.
“These experiences and attributes advanced my desire to continue my career, post-Air Force, in aviation,” he shares. “There is a need for honesty, integrity and passion in the aviation consulting, brokerage and maintenance fields. Hence, I was inspired to found AV8RS.”
Launched on May 1, 2022, the mission of AV8RS is to provide a personal experience to customers, while upholding exemplary standards of safety and integrity in aircraft maintenance, brokerage and aviation consulting. Services offered include: certified aircraft appraisals, aircraft brokerage, aircraft pre-buy inspections, aircraft maintenance, aviation consulting, aircraft ferrying, aircraft hangar space management and aircraft detailing. Although aviation is the primary focus of AV8RS, Brandon also offers consulting and brokerage for classic cars.
As one of the only veteran-owned small businesses in the local community that specializes in the services they offer, Brandon applies the same core values of the US Air Force to AV8RS: Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence in All We Do. “When a community member does business with AV8RS, they can be assured that I will serve them with honor, honesty, integrity and excellence; thereby sharing with and exemplifying these values for and within our community,” he affirms.
As a small business, Brandon guarantees his clients will receive a personal, honest, exclusive experience, while supporting the local community and veterans.
“AV8RS is the culmination of my lifelong dream,” he smiles. “I know that I am making my family proud while also helping to ensure the safety of aviation in our local community. I also love to connect and inspire young aviators.”
Though previously stationed at McChord during his Air Force career, Brandon decided to make Gig Harbor home one year ago to be closer to family and because of their love for the Pacific Northwest. “We also saw great potential and room for growth for an aviation business at Tacoma Narrows Airport and within the great Seattle area,” he adds.
Since opening AV8RS, Brandon has enjoyed building relationships and friendships with community members, and sharing his passion for aviation with fellow aviators. He is a regular volunteer at the Point Fosdick Aviation Museum; his contributions help to restore and maintain aviation history.
He also volunteers his time as a Little League Baseball coach and is a Den Leader for Cub Scouts Pack 27 on Fox Island. “My primary purpose in volunteering with the Cub Scouts is to help develop and mold the character of our rising generation of boys and girls. Additionally, Cub Scouts give back to the community in multiple ways through community service projects and involvement.”
Brandon and his family attend Harborview Fellowship Church. As Brandon shares, “Having Christ-centered fellowship with other believers is foundational to our values and family.”
AV8RS, LLC
1080 Hangar 2 26th Avenue NW
Gig Harbor, Washington 98335