Craig Barton

Experience

• 

  Rockwell - North American Aircraft

  Oct 1988 - Sept 1995

  Engineer

  Aerodynamic Test Engineer at the Trisonic Wind Tunnel in El Segundo, CA. Propulsion Integration on advanced aircraft concepts. Lead Engineer for Low Speed Wind Tunnel / Water Tunel facility in Seal Beach, CA. Worked numerous commercial and military air vehicle concepts and aerodynamic refinements.

• 

  American Airlines

  Sept 1995 - Jan 2021

  Leading 11,000+ professionals handling all aspects of maintenance operations for American - from line and base maintenance, engine and component repairs and overhauls, MRO providers, facilities maintenance and ground support equipment. Led the organization responsible for delivering supply chain services, from contracts through procurement through distribution, and maintenance planning - both day of as well as strategic - for the AA Tech Ops division. Operationally, the in-house base maintenance department and stores organizations reported here as well. Responsible for all aspects of the merger integration of Technical Operations for American Airlines and USAirways. Direct program management of the SOC process with the FAA / JTT and internal policy integration process. Coordination with all Operating departments. Single Operating Certificate was received on schedule with no significant issues encountered during the transition. Fleet Management has overall responsibility to ensure that aircraft, engines and components are mechanicaly reliable and that the investments AA makes ensure long-term operational excellence. We champion top reliability and work directly with the OEMs, AA Engineering and the Operational departments within AA. AO&M is the largest airline overhaul business in the US, with app 2000 employees and 25 to 30 aircraft in work at any given time. Main base checks for S80, 737, 757 and 777 are accomplished, as are special structural visits and other modifications, including winglets, avionics/flight deck mods and interior replacements on all AA fleet types. PALM is the business unti within AA that oversees engine and landing gear overhaul for AA and numerous 3rd party customers. Approximately 400 engines and 250 landing gear are worked by the 900 employees on a yearly basis. JT8D-200, CF6-80 series and CFM56-7 series engines, and E145, S80/90, 767, 777, A300 landing gear. Led the engineering team that had technical responsibility for all of AA's engines, thrust reversers, APUs in the operation and the repair shops. Operations Engineering was structural and systems engineers that assisted in returning aircraft to service in the daily operation and supporting the Maintenance Operations Center. This role also included the executive sponsorship within AA of the AA-BAE CMANPADS technology integration & demonstration program for DHS.

  • Vice President Technical Operations

    Jan 2020 - Jan 2021

  • Vice President Technical Services

    Oct 2015 - Dec 2019

  • Managing Director - TechOps Integration

    Jan 2014 - Oct 2015

  • Managing Director - Fleet Management

    Apr 2010 - Jan 2014

  • Managing Director - Aircraft Overhaul & Modification

    Jan 2009 - Apr 2010

  • Managing Director - PALM

    Jan 2007 - Jan 2009

  • Managing Director - Powerplant & Operations Engineering

    Apr 2002 - Dec 2006

  • Manager CF6-CFM56 Engineering

    Oct 1999 - Mar 2002

  • Engineer / Lead Engineer - JT8D/V2500

    Sept 1995 - Sept 1999
• 

  Retired

  Feb 2021 - now

  Retired Aviation Leader

  30+ years of aerospace engineering and aviation maintenance and operations leadership