TENNESSEE AIRCRAFT SERVICES, Inc.

1960s - Tennessee Aircraft Services began as my father's hobby in the early sixties. I grew up riding my bicycle to the airport in Hot Springs, Arkansas, after school and on Saturdays to help him with the latest project.

1972 - Dad's business brought us to Huntsville, Alabama. While living there, we finished a Cessna 336 Skymaster in the garage and assembled it at the Guntersville, Alabama Airport. Then my favorite, a 1968 Turbo Twin Comanche, was finished at Moontown Airport, near Huntsville.

1974 - With a little success on the sale of the Twin Comanche, Dad decided to try and make a go of rebuilding airplanes full time. We moved to Jackson, Tennessee, purchased eighteen acres of land across the street from the McKellar Airport, and made plans for a hangar.

1975 - We completed the first 3000 square foot hangar at our current location.

1980 - We added a second 3000 square foot storage hangar behind the first for aircraft and parts storage.

1987 - I purchased the company from Dad, renamed it Tennessee Aircraft Services, and incorporated.

1989 - We added an 800 square foot engine assembly room on the back of the first hangar.

1990 - The business was approved by the FAA as a Certified Repair Station for limited airframe and engine repair.

1997 - We added a third 3000 square foot hangar to house new office space, parts storage, and equipment maintenance. In the photo above, the new building on the left houses the office, wing jigs, storage, and other special shop equipment.

2004 Spring - Tennessee Aircraft Services expands to include routine maintenance at an existing facility located on the opposite side of the airport.

2004 Christmas - Disaster. Fire in the newest building with several of us hurt and a total loss of the building. Many customers wings and other projects lost. This is when we discovered just how lacking our insurance was. More importantly we found we had amazing friends. To all of those that helped us through a most difficult time we wish we could fully express our gratitude.

2006 - The Phoenix - Not everyone has been able to return to work but business continues. A new building is constructed and a new face on the remaining old building.