Back in January of 2001, the Baltimore Sun did a story about how qualified maintenance technicians in the aviation industry were becoming harder and harder to come by. The story referenced business leaders in the area who were actively doing things to help remedy the situation. One of those leaders was Frank Stephenson, the founder of Skytech Inc., based at the time at Martin State Airport in Maryland. Obviously, the world changed dramatically just eight short months later. Still, the needs of the sector supporting business and personal aircraft operations in the United States don’t really change too much over time. We still are short on experienced technicians and pilots. What hasn’t changed is Skytech’s dedication to its customers and adherence to the concept of meeting and overcoming challenges in order to be successful.
Frank Stephenson was a pilot and Air Force veteran who managed operations at the Glen L. Martin plant in Middle River, Maryland, prior to founding Skytech. He was quoted in the Baltimore Sun article saying, “The problem is national in scope and reaches into every corner of the aviation industry. We attend meetings around the country, and everybody’s talking about the same thing: not enough mechanics. The volume of business is up across the industry, but manufacturers and subcontractors can’t keep up with the volume of business.” That was 21 years ago. Not much has changed.
Solving problems, though, was Stephenson’s specialty. In the 1950s, he made a name for himself by being the only available in the area who could effectively manage Gulfstream’s computerized maintenance management system for its G-1 turboprop executive transport. The Martin company’s chief pilot brought him onboard specifically for that purpose since Stephenson had the necessary expertise following his days in the Air Force. What they didn’t tell Frank was that Martin’s other corporate aircraft were converted experimental flight test platforms for Martin’s 202 and 404 airliner programs. Without standard airworthiness certificates for these aircraft, Stephenson had to create maintenance plans and found that he had to beg, borrow or steal parts from the factory when needed. This type of innovative mentality went into the creation of Skytech, Inc.
It was in 1976 that Frank Stephen-son officially opened the doors of Skytech located in the tower building at Martin State Airport, initially supporting parts development and manufacturing in an old hangar that once supported the B-26 production line. That same hangar then became a maintenance hub for the company, and they were designated an FAA-certified repair station the following year in 1977.
The 1980s were once again a time of change and progression for Skytech. The company saw a need for aircraft sales in the region and hired the man to lead them into a new era. John Foster, who had gained experience working in every facet of the business, took over as president. At this time, Skytech expanded from its role in Cessna single-engine sales to include the entire lineup from Piper, including its newest PA-46 Malibu in 1984.
The next decade was no less exciting. In 1992, Skytech expanded its Cessna sales to include the Caravan turboprop single. The following year it was awarded a distributorship for the world-renowned Pilatus PC-12 turboprop, a relationship that has proven successful to this day.
As the new millennium rolled around, Skytech continued to expand its operations into new areas, this time by opening a new FBO service at Rock Hill, South Carolina (UZA), part of the Charlotte, North Carolina, metro area. The company also started providing maintenance services there.
By the end of the 2000s, more change was in the works as Skytech outgrew the Martin State Airport. They chose to move to the Carroll County Regional Airport (DMW) in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area on August 31, 2009.
The new facilities at the Carroll County location include a 5,100 runway with WAAS approaches and a new 22,000 sq. ft. maintenance and FBO facility dedicated solely to Skytech’s customers. Skytech also boasts one of the only dedicated aircraft sales showrooms east of the Mississippi River. They still keep an administrative presence at Martin State, but Carroll County is now their Baltimore-area home from a customer perspective.
The launch of the Pilatus PC-24 “super versatile jet” took place at the European Business Aviation
Conference and Exposition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland, in 2013, and Skytech was appointed a dealer for this exciting new product. “We always wondered what Pilatus could possibly build next after setting the bar so high [with the PC-12]. And now we know an airplane that does the same things with an even larger cabin, longer range, and more payload while displaying unheard-of short-field performance. And it retains that flat floor and massive cargo door. So here comes the PC-24 – and all the expectations associated with a jet aircraft built with Swiss precision at an airport surrounded by the Alps. This is going to be good,” said John Foster. Pilatus PC-24 deliveries started in 2018. Skytech officially became an FAA Part 135 charter operator and the first organization with a Piper M600/SLS in its charter fleet.
Skytech, celebrating its 45th year in business in 2021, announced several executive leadership changes. John Foster stepped into the position of chairman and CEO after leading the daily operations for 22 years. Under John’s care, the company increased its sales footprint and offerings, added two FBOs (Charlotte and Baltimore Metro areas), and entered the world of aircraft management and charter.
Justin Lazzeri, a nearly 20-year Skytech veteran and former vice president of aircraft operations, assumed the role of president. Lazzeri holds a commercial pilot certificate with multi-engine and instrument ratings, as well as a certified flight instructor certificate. He earned his bachelor of science degree from Embry Riddle in Daytona Beach, Florida. Starting as a part-time company pilot, he eventually moved into a full-time position as Skytech’s director of marketing – a role he continued to fill for over 16 years. He was integral in the successful development of Skytech’s aircraft charter and management departments, which included adding the East Coast’s first Part 135 Pilatus PC-24.
One short year later, in 2022, Pilatus Aircraft, Ltd. acquired Skytech, Inc. after a nearly 30-year span of operating as Pilatus’ oldest tenured authorized dealer and service center. Skytech also retains its continued association as a Piper authorized dealer and service center. Justin Lazzeri, now a true industry veteran and proven innovative leader, takes over as CEO of Skytech, Inc.
This little company started 46 years ago to fill a need in parts manufacturing and has become a world-recognized leader in sales, service and support in general aviation. They have taken problem-solving to an incredible level, and we can only imagine where Justin Lazzeri and the team will take it in the future.
