North American Aerospace Industries Corporation (NAAI), a provider of sustainable end-to-end aircraft recycling solutions, announced the appointment of Janos Virag as director of Innovation. In this role, Virag will have a wide range of responsibilities including the development of new recycling processes for advanced materials such as carbon fiber, researching reuse possibilities and recycling rate increases. In addition, he will design technical work processes, determine schedules for various aircraft arrivals, and coordinate training programs through Lenoir Community College and other entities. He brings to his new position extensive experience as a manufacturing training professional across aviation and other transportation modes.
“Janos’ technical knowledge of the latest developments in aircraft manufacturing, overhaul processes, and strong training skills will be an important asset to our organization, the aircraft operators and the leasing companies we serve,” said Sven Daniel Koechler, PhD, general manager of NAAI. “He will play an integral role as we advance our new and sustainable model of aircraft recycling and its high value proposition to our clients.”
Directly prior to joining NAAI, Virag served in multiple roles as Aviation Manufacturing Instructor and Manager of Fabrication – Airbus 350XWB with Lenoir Community College/Spirit AeroSystems Inc. (Kinston, NC). He provided instruction on such topics as: fabrication, assembly, quality control and repair techniques of carbon fiber reinforced polymer. Additionally, he managed direct reports in Airbus 350XWB aircraft wing-spar and fuselage fabrication. His role also extended to educating students on production teams, leadership, workplace safety and quality practices, as well as providing career coaching. He also served as a Manufacturing Skills Instructor at the college.
Earlier in his career, Virag served as Locomotive Maintenance Manager/Technical Advisor with General Electric Transportation Systems (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada).
Virag ‘s higher education include Associates Degrees in Aviation Management and Career Pilot Technology and in Applied Science-Industrial Technology, both from Lenoir Community College. In addition, he holds an Associates Degree in Business Administration-Marketing from Saint Lawrence College (Kingston, ON), a Manufacturing Skills Standard Council (MSSC) Instructor Certification, a Certificate in Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, both from Lenoir Community College, and an FAA Private Pilot Certificate.