Company
AVX Aircraft Company is a designer, horizontally integrated manufacturer, and marketer of the Company’s revolutionary and patented helicopter technology (“AVX Technology”). AVX Technology is ideal for modifying existing fleets of helicopters that need performance upgrades, or building entirely new helicopters. AVX Technology consists of coaxial rotors and dual ducted fans, which combines proven technologies to achieve greater aerodynamic efficiency, speed, range, fuel efficiency, ability to operate in hotter temperatures and higher altitudes, HOGE and utility than conventional helicopters.
Program — OH-58D/AVX
AVX’s proposed modification of the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior with AVX Technology will meet all of the Army’s Key Performance Parameters (KPP’s) at the lowest cost. See video above.
Program — Joint Multi Role (JMR)
AVX Aircraft Company has been awarded a contract by the US Army to conduct Configuration Trades Analysis (CTA) studies for the Joint Multi Role helicopter concept. The approximately $4 million contract, awarded by the U.S. Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate of The Research, Development and Engineering Command located in Fort Eustis, Virginia, calls for AVX Aircraft Company to conduct studies that define an objective aircraft that represents an affordable, technically feasible aircraft design that meets a provided set of performance attributes.
Program — AVX 815 & AVX 825
The AVX 815 (single engine) and AVX 825 (twin engine) 10-seat advanced commercial and military helicopters are designed to operate in very high altitudes and hot temperatures, as well as significantly increased speeds, payloads and fuel efficiency.
AVX Technology Demonstrator
AVX is working with leading subcontractors and vendors to build and test the AVX Technology Demonstrator aircraft. AVX is modifying a used 206L Jet Ranger with AVX Technology. The same modification process and parts will be used on programs such as the OH-58D/AVX Modification Program, among many others.
Team Overview
AVX’s aeronautical engineering team is led by Troy Gaffey, formerly Chief Engineer and Sr. Vice President of Research and Engineering of Bell Helicopter Textron. Scott Kasprowicz, Vice Chairman of AVX’s Board of Directors recently received the Igor Sikorsky Pilot’s Award for setting a new world circumnavigation record in 2008. Frank King, former Sr. Executive Director for Homeland Security at Bell Helicopter leads AVX’s marketing and sales. Don Taylor, Former CFO for Bell Helicopter, is AVX’s CFO. AVX has a horizontally integrated manufacturing strategy with world-class subcontractors and vendors, including Aurora Flight Sciences, Eagle Aviation Technologies, Rotating Composites, Advanced Technologies, among others.
Management, Engineering & Staff
Founded AVX in 2005
Since 1999, Partner in the international law firm Patton Boggs LLP, focusing on complex domestic and international transactions. Practicing attorney for 35 years, including in-house general counsel and senior management positions in private, early-stage and large public companies. Inventor and author.
Joined AVX in 2006
Mr. Gaffey was formerly Chief Engineer and Senior Vice President of Research and Engineering at Bell Helicopter and is one of the most experienced executives and aeronautical engineers in the aircraft industry. He has been instrumental in the design and development of numerous civilian and military helicopters, and has extensive expertise in the areas of Project Management, Tiltrotor Design/Technology, Rotorcraft Aeromechanics, and Test and Evaluation.
Joined AVX in 2009
Former Bell Helicopter Textron Senior Executive Director with 35 years experience in helicopter program management and marketing. Mr. King has extensive commercial and military rotorcraft marketing experience on a global scale.
Joined AVX in 2010
Mr. Taylor was formerly Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Bell Helicopter Textron. Over a period of 28 years Mr. Taylor held numerous finance and business management positions and had overall responsibility for Finance, USG and Commercial Contracts Administration and Information Technology. Mr. Taylor also served on the Textron Finance Council and the Board of Bell/Agusta Aerospace Company.
Joined AVX in 2007
Mr. Jackson served as one of the first ten employees, and original investor at Crocs, Inc (NASDAQ: CROX). Led various marketing initiatives going from $1 million in funding in 2002 to a $6.8 billion market capitalization in 2007. Mr. Jackson has demonstrated consistent success over a diverse professional and entrepreneurial career having started and invested in over a dozen companies.
Joined AVX in 2010
Mr. Cox recently served as Vice President of Communications for Bell Helicopter Textron. Prior to Bell, Mike was the Director of Public Affairs for the Air Mobility Command in the U.S. Air Force where he had global responsibility for all public and press relations involving AMC assets. He retired as a Colonel after 26 years of service.
Joined AVX in 2006
Former VP of Project Engineering for Bell Helicopter Textron, with extensive knowledge and over 30 years experience in the development and qualification of Bell helicopters and tilt rotors.
Joined AVX in 2006
Former Director of Systems Integration for Bell Helicopter Textron and served as an FAA Designated Engineering Representative for Systems and Equipment. Former Chief Project Engineer of the Eagle Eye Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) while at Bell Helicopter.
Joined AVX in 2007
Former Director of Structures Engineering for Bell Helicopter Textron. Keith has extensive experience with composite structure design, analysis, and testing (airframe and rotor structures).
Joined AVX in 2010
Former Chief of Drive System Design for Bell Helicopter Textron. Prior to Bell, he managed Propulsion System Design at McDonnell Douglas.
Joined AVX in 2006
Formerly served at Bell Helicopter Textron after 41 years of experience in prediction of weight and balance of all of Bell Helicopter Textron’s military and commercial helicopters.
Joined AVX in 2007
Served 37 years at Bell Helicopter Textron, including thirty years in Marketing and seven years in Engineering. Extensive experience with aerodynamics, marketing, engineering, rotorcraft flight performance and mission capability analysis.
Joined AVX in 2009
Luis has over 20 years of aerospace design experience. Extensive experience with modifications to aircraft primary structures and design of secondary structures, custom components, accessories, mechanisms, test fixtures, avionics chassis, electrical mechanical component packaging and systems
Joined AVX in 2006
Former Bell Helicopter Senior Engineer with extensive experience in designing and developing helicopter designs for new and existing applications, having served more than 35 years at Bell.
Board of Directors
Founded AVX in 2005
Since 1999, Partner in the international law firm Patton Boggs LLP, focusing on complex domestic and international transactions. Practicing attorney for 35 years, including in-house general counsel and senior management positions in private, early-stage and large public companies. Inventor and author.
Joined AVX in 2006
Mr. Gaffey was formerly Chief Engineer and Senior Vice President of Research and Engineering at Bell Helicopter and is one of the most experienced executives and aeronautical engineers in the aircraft industry. He has been instrumental in the design and development of numerous civilian and military helicopters, and has extensive expertise in the areas of Project Management, Tiltrotor Design/Technology, Rotorcraft Aeromechanics, and Test and Evaluation.
Joined AVX Board in 2009
Former Deputy Secretary of Transportation for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Former CEO of Texel Corporation, a communications systems integration company, which Scott sold in 1999. In 2008, Mr. Kasprowicz received the Igor Sikorsky Pilot’s Award for setting a new around the world circumnavigation record in a helicopter.
Joined AVX Board in 2009
Mr. Pomeroy has held leadership positions in diverse industries, including chief financial officer for Eotec Capital, CEO of Local Insight Media and president and chief operating officer of Lewis Food Groups. He is currently CEO of Yellow Pages Group New Zealand, and on the Board of Directors of the company's parent (an international banking syndicate), which is one of the largest companies in New Zealand.
Joined AVX Board in 2009
Member of Marketing and Promotion Hall of Fame. Former Chairman of: Glendinning Companies, Easton Press, MBI, Price Adams, Postal Commemorative Society and Danbury Mint. One of three Life Members of the Salvation Army National Advisory Board. Graduated Summa Cum Laude from Princeton University. Former US Marine fighter pilot with over 85 combat missions.
Joined AVX Board in 2011
Mr. Jackson served as one of the first ten employees, and original investor at Crocs, Inc (NASDAQ: CROX). Led various marketing initiatives going from $1 million in funding in 2002 to a $6.8 billion market capitalization in 2007. Mr. Jackson has demonstrated consistent success over a diverse professional and entrepreneurial career having started and invested in over a dozen companies.