Rick Ochs 

Chief Executive Officer
Spirit Aeronautics​

Rick Ochs is an aerospace industry veteran with a 40-year career marked by a progression of leadership positions. He began an inspired career in the U.S. Navy as an Avionics Technician. As a 3rd Class Petty Officer, he proudly served as a flight deck aircraft troubleshooter in Sea Control Squadron VS-28 onboard the U.S.S. Forrestal. Immediately out of the Navy, he gained expertise as an Avionics Installer on USAF C-130H aircraft. Through various ascending job opportunities in aircraft systems maintenance and modifications, he later became the Avionics Manager for Southern Air Transport supporting a fleet of 747's, DC-8’s and L-382 aircraft globally.

Mr. Ochs began Spirit Avionics in March 2000 as a Veteran owned, small business. He founded the company with his wife Pam and their four children, all grounded in a strong, enduring faith. Now operating as Spirit Aeronautics, the company serves multiple markets specializing in complex business class aircraft maintenance and modification services. Spirit owns and operates FAA certified Repair Stations in two distinct locations supporting government agencies such as NASA, FBI, DEA and U.S. military aircraft owners & operators. Spirit is an authorized dealer / service center for all major Avionics manufacturers and a purveyor of aviation safety operating in Columbus, Ohio & Fort Worth, Texas with over 30 team members.

Rick has been actively involved in professional credentialing for aerospace engineers, aircraft mechanics, and avionics technicians as the Vice-Chair of the ASTM F46 Committee on Aerospace Personnel, which is developing industry-based professional credentialing standards for aircraft technicians and engineers. Rick also serves on ASTM Advisory Council AC 377 establishing technical & operational standards for autonomy in aviation.

Additionally, Rick serves as the Director of Development for the Youth Aviation Adventure (YAA) program. YAA casts the Aerospace industry as a viable & exciting career path for kids 10 -18 years of age. YAA highlights STEM studies in the application to aircraft design, maintenance, ATC operations & flight related occupations for kids of all backgrounds. YAA provides special events to enable Girl and Boy Scouts the ability to earn the Aviation Merit badge in a one-day program. YAA has developed squadrons in over 25 cities throughout the USA and now also holds programs in Trinidad & Tobago serving underprivileged youth.

Rick serves on multiple avionics original equipment manufacturer’s industry teams such as Honeywell Aerospace, Collins Aerospace and Universal Avionics as a dealer advisory member. He offers real world experience providing aircraft products & services market trend insights for leading avionics equipment manufacturers. He is a past board member of the Aircraft Electronics Association, the NBAA Maintenance Managers committee and National Center for Aerospace Transportation Training program (NCATT). He was awarded the FAA’s National Avionics technician of the Year award in 2012 by the General Aviation Awards committee and Member of the Year for the Aircraft Electronics Industry in 2010.

Certifications that Rick has earned include FAA certified Airframe Mechanic, Radio Repairman and Private Pilot with Instrument rating. He is an NCATT certified Aircraft Electronics Technician, with multiple endorsements and he holds the FCC General Radio Operator's license. Rick is the FAA’s “Accountable Manager” for both of Spirit Aeronautics’ Repair Stations.

He has been married to Pam for over 28 years. They have four children with two of them working in the family business. He enjoys flying the company Cessna 182 and restoring his 1969 RS Z/28 Camaro.