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West Star Aviation Expands to East Coast with SC Facility

October 13, 2008

Media Contact: Debi Cunningham
Tel: 800-922-2421
Email: dcunningham@weststaraviation.com

EAST ALTON, Ill., Oct. 13, 2008 – West Star Aviation, a leader in business aviation
maintenance, avionics and modifications, is expanding its customer reach with a new
facility near Columbia, S.C.

  West Star’s new facility, which will provide maintenance and refurbishment services for
a wide range of corporate aircraft, will be located at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport
(KCAE) in Lexington County, S.C. A groundbreaking ceremony is planned for 10 a.m.
Eastern time on Oct. 17 at the intersection of Air Commerce Drive and West Cargo Road,
the future site of the facility.

“Customers have been asking West Star to open a location on the East Coast, and we are
thrilled to come to South Carolina in order to meet their needs,” said Mike Durst,
executive vice president and general manager of West Star Aviation. “This new facility
fits into our strategic goal of providing convenient, state-of-the-art maintenance facilities
for customers nationwide. Our South Carolina employees will continue West Star’s
tradition of providing outstanding customer service.”

  The new facility, tentatively scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2009, is
expected to create jobs for about 105 South Carolinians. West Star partnered with the
Columbia Metropolitan Airport Authority, the South Carolina Department of Commerce,
Lexington County officials and the Central S.C. Alliance to bring its operations to the
Columbia area.

“South Carolina’s aviation industry continues to grow and present new opportunities,”
said Joe Taylor, South Carolina secretary of commerce. “West Star Aviation is a leader in
providing maintenance and refurbishment services for corporate aircraft to customers
across the nation. Their decision to locate in South Carolina demonstrates the strength of
the state’s business-friendly climate and the skill of our workforce. Thanks to the team
effort of state a local officials, Lexington County will benefit from this investment now
and in the future.”

West Star’s new facility will feature a 37,500-square-foot hangar and a two-story, 24,500-square-foot office and shop complex. The facility is being designed by the Columbia-based Garvin Design Group and built by Hood Construction.

“The Columbia Metropolitan Airport has been a tremendous asset for Lexington County
and we are thrilled that it was instrumental in attracting West Star Aviation,” said Billy
Derrick, chairman of the Lexington County Council. “We applaud the company’s
decision to locate its most recent expansion in Lexington County and we look forward to
working with the company in facilitating its growth and expansion in the Southeast.”
West Star Aviation, Inc., specializes in airframe repair and maintenance, engine repair
and maintenance, major modifications, avionics installation and repair, interior
refurbishment, paint, parts, surplus avionics sales and accessory services. The company
currently has maintenance facilities in East Alton, Ill., Grand Junction, Colo., and
Dallas, Texas, and a Hiawatha, Iowa, location that specializes in the acquisition and
sales of surplus avionics. The company also provides complete FBO services for
transient aircraft at its newly remodeled East Alton and Grand Junction facilities.
West Star Aviation, Inc., is an industry leader in technical experience and expertise, and
provides world-class customer services in all of the organization’s divisions. For
additional information, visit http://www.weststaraviation.com or call 800-922-2421.
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