Our Full-Time Team of Awesome
Logan "Woogie"
A&P and Manager
Most kids want to grow up and be doctors, lawyers or astronauts. Sadly, fighting the Galactic Empire or doing a barrel roll to deflect lasers wasn't an actual job available our very own Logan, or as some know him- "Woogy". He didn't let that stop him, however, from spending his life keeping others (and himself) in the sky safely.
Growing up in a rural area in the middle of nowhere, Logan learned at a young age that aviation isn't just a hobby for some- it's a way of life. He dreamed of spending every day with the small and medium sized aircraft he loved. Little did he know that he'd grow up and do just that! "It just kind of happened" answers Logan whenever asked how exactly he got to this point. "One moment I was bead blasting aircraft parts for 8 strait hours, then I blinked and I was converting land planes into seaplanes. Next thing I knew, I was answering my phone as Normandy Aircraft while booking a fabric re-covering for an amazing client after a meeting with my priority part 135 operation I maintain. I'm still waiting for someone to call for me to save the world from evil aliens from outer space though". From a P&W R985 or a Wright R975 down to a Lycoming O-145, he can probably tell you a great story about working on one. Logan also enjoys fabric airplanes a lot- trust us, he will tell you. He will then proceed to tell you why Aeronca was a gift from above and be their biggest promoter... 80 years too late.
All joking aside, Logan has spent most of his life in, around or working on aircraft. While he is a fun loving, good spirited individual, he takes your aircraft maintenance and needs extremely serious. "Money doesn't grow on trees. Neither does reputations or relationships" stated Logan when asked what drives him and his Normandy Aircraft team. "I grew up in a place where honesty and integrity are the rules of the land. A person was only as good as their word and everything was settled on a hand shake. The world has changed a bit from how it was in that town, but those values still hold true to myself and my company".
Logan received his initial ratings via the FAA's Practical Experience standards and was trained and mentored by some of the best A&P's in the region when it comes to his line of expertise. Logan has a strong history with vintage and antique aircraft and well know for his quality work involving tail draggers and seaplanes. He also helped build an outstanding Part 135 seaplane operation as well as assisted numerous Part 141 operations in become safe, well operating establishments when it comes to maintenance.
And yes, he does own an Aeronca... a 1941 Aeronca 65-LB Super Chief, or as he calls it "65 horse power of doom"...
Nate "The Yeti"
A&P and Lead Mechanic
Hailing from the great state of Texas is the Yeti himself, Mr. Nate. We've thought long and hard how to include a bio about Nate without it sounding like a professional wrestler or science fiction warrior... and deemed it impossible.
Nate proudly acquired his certification through the Aviation Maintenance program at Clover Park Technical College at KPLU while being the top of his class. Nate has a talent with engines that makes us very proud to have him as a vital member of our team. Nate's experience with fleet maintenance has helped the part 135 and 141 world keep flying while his quality of work and dedication shine like no other. Nate also has a Professional Pilot degree and enjoys flying a lot.
Nate received a good portion of his experience and training working side by side with our very own Logan. The two met while working at a FBO when Nate was assigned to Logan's team and followed each other along the journey in aviation maintenance. During this time, the legendary "GO NATE" chant was born which led to movement that included jingles and even bumper stickers (Look at the shop tool boxes, you will see the bumper stickers on many things in Normandy). The shop also enjoys rhyming everything with his name, which will go on for hours. Nate is and continues to be a good sport about this despite the years of prolonged exposure to that nonsense.
GO NATE!!!
John Smutny
LSRM – Airplane & Weight Shift
Having been around aviation he entire life, it was inevitable that John would end up working in and around airplanes. A Washington native, he began flying lessons at Renton when he was 15 and soloed a Cessna 150 Aerobat at 16. During that same time, while working at the Museum of Flight got to help out on some of the restorations and even attempted to begin one on his own of the only existing Monte-Copter before a family move required passing the airframe along to another owner. Later John spent 10 years at Boeing ending his career there working in Customer Support.
Early in 2018 John attended the Light Sport Repairman’s course offered by Rainbow Aviation in Corning, CA, graduating with both Airplane and Weight Shift certifications along with a Rotax factory training certificate. These certifications, along with over 18 years of owner maintenance on a Christen Eagle, Pitts, Cessna 172 and a Piper Cub gives John an extensive, well rounded maintenance background to support your airplane.
Besides aircraft maintenance, John’s aviation passion extends to flying competitive aerobatics in his Christen Eagle or running any number of air shows across the US and Canada as an Air Boss.