Mark Lindley, QT Aerospace

Hello everyone, Jeff Jerge with the Oyster Aero PearlCast and I have my longtime friend here, Mark Lindley. Mark QT Aerospace. How you doing, my friend? Doing awesome, Jeff. Thanks for having me. Yeah, anytime. Uh, when did you and I meet? You and I must have met like I was doing the Boeing Dallas service center at the time. had 2008 2009. 2008 2009 sounds about right. Good deal. And at the time we were trying to find some good repair stations and uh you were you were the guy in there. So guess so. We you provided us an incredible opportunity and we took advantage of it and it was uh it was it was a good program. I was proud of it and uh very grateful for you to give us the opportunity. Yeah. But it's still going for you, right? I mean, sometimes in this industry, work follows the person. Sometimes, you know, it's all about trust, right? We we like to think that we're all about relationships and doing the right thing and being honest and, you know, it's, as you said, it's this business, as big as it is, and a lot of stuff, a lot of moving parts, if you have the relationships, you have good relationships, you'll get work. Yeah.

Good deal. So um talk to me about let's fast forward now 15 seven I don't want to think about the time talk to me now about QT Aerospace like how long you guys been around what do you do that sort of thing so my partners and I Ed McCarron and I and a couple of investors started this we've been thinking about this Ed and I have been talking about this literally Jeff for five years couldn't find the right timing the right place the right people and you know honestly the stars align last about a year ago almost a little over a year ago been a a year ago last week that the stars align and we got the people the right people we found a building we found the right time to execute it we found an ex FA PMI that could that was able to take a dormant certificate because if we wanted to start basically I didn't mean backtrack but if we wanted to start a repair station here in Dallas it's a minimum of three to three and a half years before So, we were able to take a dormant certificate and one of our um adviserss here at the company was a the XPM FAPI guy was able to take that certificate, use his relationship with the FAA, get the tag, the the repair station certificate moved, name change, address changed in a little under seven months. So, we were able to get our certificate August 5th of last year. So, last August is when we became official.

And so a little over seven months. Congrats. Yeah, that initial it's been a heck of an undertaking. It's been great. That initial audit is a bear, too. Like certification of the shop, like man, that is that is so um so you're in Dallas and you know, I mean, obviously there's a ton of aviation there. You're centrally located in the US, all that stuff. Um and the shop is predominantly what? Composits. composite sheet metal mainly structures some panel you composite panels on fuselage whatever everything's external so just a lot of sh heavy sheet metal and composits flight controls I mean that goes anywhere you know you know flaps rudders spoilers everything in between slats I mean we'll we're afraid of nothing and we'll do you know we've done everything from the dash8 up to uh you know we really want to focus on narrow bodies down A320s 37s and and below which would be the embry rear 170s and the 145s, A220s, that type of platform, right? And um well, that's cool. So that's good to know. We just had a bunch of A320 material move yesterday. Um so so you got certified last year, you had your audit and everything. What's step one? Like what are you doing after that? Now you have the capability. Now what happens? Well, so what we've seen, what I've seen in the past is, you know, start a repair station, get the work, and then when the work comes, you don't have the infrastructure to turn it. So, our goal and what our what our mindset was, build the capabilities, build the the shop, hire the right people, hire the hands-on mechanics, get the people in place, and the work will come. So we've invested pretty topheavy on the front end getting the equipment getting the people in here and the work is now following. So now as we said you know we're you know quick

turns quality insured we're going to abide by that you know quick turns and so now with this work coming in we have the people already in place to turn the work. So with that it's now a matter of us growing it and that is building the customer base getting um getting more certifications you know the EASA should be here any day then we'll go after um CA and then obviously as the maturation of the company we want to go after ISO and AS9110 just because it's a feather in your cap and what it does you know perception you it legitimizes who you are you go through all those quality uh processes and it just it's a lot easier for airlines to come in and say, "Oh, you guys are obviously on case you're not you're all you have all these certifications. It makes it a lot easier for a prospective airline to not only just basically give you a paper audit, but not have to come in and do a full-on two-day audit, which saves a lot of time for everybody and money." Right. Right. And I mean, I think there's some truth to following the people around. I mean, I've used some composite shops and, you know, some of the work went really, really well, but you can have some nightmares and structures as well because you can expensive. It's expensive to ship around. You know, it's time critical stuff like all that. It's time critical. And not only that, you know, you know, sand's engines, it's the most flight critical. So, you know, we've what we've done is we've really focused on staying in our lane. We've we've had to tell people no more than yes because we're not going to do something. You know, there's a difference between wanting to do something and being able to do something and we're sticking with what we can do.

Now, we can we'll go review and look at and research stuff that people ask us to go, but people have come to us and asked if we can do something and it's one or two things. No, it's not our capabilities. Two, we don't have the the the tools to do it. like, you know, TRS and we we're not there yet, but like, you know, regional TRs. We've had people come to us and we we've had to tell them no, we're not ready. And just it's just that being upfront and honest and being straight with your customers. It's it's uh how we're really trying to build this. It's it's not hard. You know, we treat people the way we want to be treated and be honest. And it's and if we do those two things, I think we're on to something really really good. So, I think we started Oyster. Yeah. Last April. So, we're a year. Um, and that resonates with me. Like, it is so hard as a startup to turn away work. Like, like that hurts really bad, but it's a short-term thing because in the long run, you know, if you sign somebody up or somebody comes to your shop and you can't do it, you've burned it. I mean, it's just done. So, you you've burned it. And, you know, with us, somebody sends us something. I mean, not only do we look foolish our to our customer, but a lot of times our customer has a customer on the on the tail end to where our unit would be going. So, we all look foolish. And like you said, you know, our reputation is our word. And if you know, that's my bond. I mean, we, you know, like other repair, we have nothing tangible to sell. We sell a service. I sell my word. So, if we're going to do something, you know, I'm going to put my name on the line and my reputation to make darn sure we do it. So, going back to what you said about, you know, we're not going to, as I say, when we spoke yesterday, I'm not going to out kick we're not going to out kick our coverage. We're not going to promise something that we can't deliver on because I' I've been there, I've been burned, and it's your reputation at the end of the day. Yeah. Yeah. That's um really important. Now, talk to me about location. I mean, in Dallas, you definitely have your Americans and your Southwest, and you know, you have the Midwest, a lot of hail damage, you know,

storm damage, stuff like that. So, I feel like if you're going to get a leg ahead, being in that location might actually be helpful because you could probably get a truck somewhere and, you know, you could be at a customer's doorstep before they even think about sending it out for repair, I would imagine. So, correct. I think logistically, obviously, I'm from here. Um, you know, Dallas is a pretty, it's, you know, for the composite shop world, I think we're pretty, you know, I think this is probably one of the big meccas with five other composite shops that do we do within a 30 mile radius. Um, but we're I like the fact that we're strategically located. We're about we're 10 minutes from Lovefield and about 15 minutes from DFW. So, there's your your American Airlines of the world and Lovefield obviously has got JSX and Southwest. So, we we like our footprint where we're located and um you know, that was no that was no fluke. I mean, we we did our research and you know, it just made logistical sense to be here and it's just you know, you can ship anything anywhere out of here if need be out of DFW. So, we like where we're at and um hence the reason why we picked this exact location. Good deal. Good deal. So, um, as far as meeting new people, spreading the word, how can, you know, how can we get it out there more?

I mean, obviously this podcast will certainly help, but um, how do I get a hold of you? How do I how do I find your capabilities? All that good stuff. Well, so great, great question. You know, we've, uh, we have a marketing girl, R3 Marketing out of Florida. She's phenomenal. um Rebecca Longo and she's really taken us to the next step with you know this thing here you know we're big on social media I'm not I mean my kids are I mean you we're not part of that era where you know everything's through that this the cell phone so I'm kind of old school doing the old literature what have you but with but with Rebecca getting us out there through LinkedIn through Instagram just getting the name out there and just um you know with, you know, taking photos and and videos at the MRO shows. I mean, again, we're the we're the young pups in this game and, uh, you know, getting our name out there and just again, just getting that opportunity when the time comes is is vital to us.

So, you know, we have a plan. Um, but the more marketing and the more we ways we get ourselves out there, the better. It just gets more exposure for us. Yeah. I mean, and and we saw this back in 2008 when we met. I mean, Boeing was transitioning all the repair work and it gave us a chance to shake up the supply chain a little bit. You know, everybody had just kind of gotten set in their ways and and so I think this is a great opportunity for you all to say, listen, if you're having any quality issues, if you're having any problems, give us a shot, you know, and let us try to to make it right. And also, you know, let's be honest. I mean, you don't have um you know, the the large payroll and and executive bonuses that have to be met and all that. So, you're you know, you probably have a little bit more margin to give on some of those repairs. I'm not setting your price for you, but my point is is is you know, the startups in this industry and in this country, I mean, those are the ones that are bringing innovation. And the fact that you guys have started this, I mean, my hats off to you. I think that you're going to do great in the long run for sure. Well, we certainly appreciate the well-wishes. Uh if it were easy, everybody would do it. You know, I mean, you started your thing a year ago and it's, you know, Ed and I are just a couple salesman and so just learning I've, you know, we split off wearing different hats. I've really had to take I'm take on the more the quality roles.

So, I've done a lot of training and you know, with my ADD, it's been real tough. But I, you know, just learning more about the business just makes us better as people um and as a company. And I, you know, I've learned so much in the last seven months. Stuff that I probably wouldn't even have even researched if I were just, you know, a salesman. I mean, this is this is ours. And the more we know and the more prepared and the more knowledge we have, the better we'll be in in the long run. Well, don't sell yourself short. I mean, one of the reasons that I um appreciated you a few moons ago was you weren't just a sales guy that walked in, got a PO, and were on the golf course. I mean, I remember you were you were with us on the weekends for AOG Repairs. Like, you know, you know this business better than anybody. Um, that's the only thing I remember you in. You haven't been in parts trading or uh anything. You've been a repair guy your pretty much your whole career, right? other than the four years that I had the opportunity to get a little bit of ownership in a in a interior company. Sure. Um it's been structures and you know I learned a lot in in the interiors. It was a different ballgame. Different acronyms, different margins, high volume, low percentage, you know. So I really I mean it was a great opportunity. I I'm glad I did it.

I learned that side of the business. cuz I never would have learned. But, you know, when it was sold and I was it was a great deal, it was I really miss structures and it was my home and it's what I do and it's what I love. I I sincerely enjoy the composite world because especially with the new frames coming on board with the 87 and the 787 and the A350. there just more and more composits and I'm just I'm just, you know, I still act like a little kid, you know, about learning more about how this stuff works and how we I it's really cool to see components come in, how beat up they are and just how proud you are before you put that final screw in the crate about what it looks like going out and there's just a lot of pride involved in that. A lot. Very cool. All right. Well, well, Mark, we're looking forward to watching you flourish and, um, I love the name, you know, QT, Aerospace, Quick Turns, I love it all. So, um, let's just stay connected and anything we can do to help you out, let us know. Right back at you, Jeff. Like I said, I don't forget people that give me opportunities and you were one of them. And I'm forever grateful. And, you know, as big as this industry is, it's pretty small. You still run in circles with people that you haven't seen for years and all of a sudden you start reconnecting. And I hope with you, I'd love to pick back up like we did a couple weeks ago and let's let's keep this thing going. You got it.

All right. Thanks for coming. Talk soon. Thanks, man. Appreciate the opportunity. All right.