DR. MICHAEL D. ERLANDSON
Ridgecrest
Summary
Dynamic aviation leader with extensive experience at BAE Systems, excelling in aviation maintenance leadership and project management. Proven track record in regulatory compliance and process optimization, achieving 95% client satisfaction. Adept at team development and stakeholder engagement, driving operational excellence in global aviation operations.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
ERLANDSON AVIATION INC.
Founder & Director of Maintenance
EAI Ridgecrest
01.2020 - Current
- Acted as FAA Quality Liaison/Consultant, providing DOM services, maintaining regulatory compliance, managing airworthiness programs, and advising MRO startups in 72 countries.
- Led ESH, SMS, and QMS programs for hazmat oversight and safety management; delivered AOG maintenance and pre-purchase inspections, achieving 95% client satisfaction.
- Built global aviation services company from startup to international operation; established FAA-approved A&P training academy with 100% client repair station certification rate.
BAE SYSTEMS
Senior Site Facilities & Maintenance Program Manager / Director of Maintenance
Mojave
06.2020 - 10.2020
- Directed multi-million dollar DOD contract operations in facilities management, aircraft maintenance, and construction projects, achieving on-time delivery and adherence to budget.
- Provided DOM and FAA liaison services for corporate, DOD, and general aviation aircraft, ensuring 100% regulatory compliance while overseeing avionics upgrades and navigation testing.
- Led ESH, Quality, Safety, and OSHA Hazmat compliance programs, resulting in zero safety incidents and high employee satisfaction through effective team development.
NASA VERTEX / ARMSTRONG SPACE RESEARCH CENTER
Quality Assurance III & ESH Consultant
Edwards Air Force Base
12.2019 - 06.2020
- Led implementation of QMS and SMS aligned with 4790 and 8500.10 requirements, standardizing quality processes across research operations; served as FAA/FAR Quality liaison and offsite Safety/ESH consultant, ensuring regulatory compliance
- Delivered Quality Assurance III services for NASA research aircraft and support operations, achieving 95% audit compliance; managed Project Management Plan oversight, ensuring compliance with federal standards and NASA quality requirements
- Conducted rewrites of safety manuals and procedures after major organizational changes, completing deliverables 30 days early; updated maintenance requirements and training programs for varied fleet inventory, enhancing operational readiness
ERLANDSON AVIATION
Director of Maintenance / Aircraft Maintenance Program Auditor
Salt Lake City, UT / Southern
01.2014 - 01.2019
- Delivered project management oversight for aircraft modification and certification programs, achieving 90% on-time completion rate; managed compliance verification and corrective action implementation, reducing audit findings by 40% year over year
- Conducted aircraft maintenance program audits for commercial and corporate operators, identifying compliance gaps and implementing corrective actions to ensure continuous airworthiness and regulatory compliance for multiple aircraft
- Established maintenance control programs for new aircraft acquisitions and fleet transitions, facilitating operational integration across the fleet
PMA/DOD CONTRACTS
Derivative Aircraft Systems Engineer, Navigation & Avionics Systems
China Lake, CA / Patuxent River
08.2011 - 11.2014
- Provided systems engineering oversight utilizing MBSE principles and SysML modeling for 29-aircraft Boeing 737NG fleet supporting critical DOD SIGINT payload integration missions across multiple global locations; managed multi-billion dollar program budgets, consistently achieving 10-20% cost optimization through strategic procurement and resource allocation; led cross-functional teams ranging from 5-265+ personnel across multiple site locations, maintaining high performance standards and mission readiness
- Directed maintenance control for facility management, compliance audits, and quality assurance programs; led avionics and test flight instrumentation operations integrating RF communications intelligence, SDR, and DSP signal processing for modifications; developed system architecture models, ICDs, and CONOPS documentation; acted as Compliance Engineering Representative for all AD, SB, SL, STC, and avionics modifications across FAA and DOD aircraft fleet.
- Directed environmental safety and hazardous materials programs to achieve 100% compliance with MIL-STD-882, OSHA, and DOD safety standards; oversaw outside vendors for FAA/FAR compliance across manufacturing and maintenance operations; led engineering certification processes for complex avionics and ISR mission systems engineering, achieving a 95% first-time approval rate; maintained requirements traceability and verification/validation using DOORS-based toolchains; supported international peace initiatives in Asian and Middle Eastern operations through aviation excellence.
MATRIX / OFFSHORE INDUSTRIES
Project Manager / FAA Aircraft & Facilities Maintenance Program Manager
San Diego, CA / Tijuana
01.1999 - 01.2011
- Established and managed cross-border maintenance operations between US and Mexico, navigating regulatory requirements; led FAA-compliant aircraft maintenance programs achieving 98% compliance in multi-jurisdictional environment
- Directed facilities maintenance programs for high-volume aircraft servicing operations across multiple locations; managed project teams to complete major maintenance and modification programs on time and on budget
- Developed and implemented quality systems to ensure consistent service delivery and customer satisfaction across international operations
SANTA BARBARA AEROSPACE
MRO Quality Systems & Modification Manager
Santa Barbara
12.1997 - 12.1999
- Achieved 95%+ compliance ratings through quality assurance processes and continuous improvement initiatives; led cross-functional teams in executing complex aircraft modification and upgrade programs for commercial and corporate clients, ensuring high standards and client satisfaction
- Developed and implemented comprehensive quality systems for MRO operations, achieving ISO 9001 certification within the first year; managed aircraft modification programs including STC coordination and FAA certification, maintaining 100% approval rate
- Established quality metrics and continuous improvement processes, enhancing operational efficiency by 25%, contributing to streamlined MRO operations
NORTHWEST AIRLINES
Composite Engineering & Special Projects Supervisor
Minneapolis (MSP) / Boston (BOS)
03.1990 - 12.1997
- Coordinated between operations and maintenance teams as Maintenance Control (MC) Liaison, optimized fleet availability and performed critical AOG maintenance.
- Managed overnight maintenance activities in RON/RTS operations, coordinating cross-functional teams and resolving critical aircraft discrepancies to ensure on-time morning departures and uphold dispatch reliability and flight safety standards.
- Supervised composite engineering programs for commercial airline fleet operations, managing aircraft modifications, upgrades, and emergency repairs to reduce aircraft downtime.
Education
Ph.D. - Commercial and Industrial Economics
Pacific Western University
Los Angeles, CaliforniaMaster of Science - Aviation Engineering Technology
Pacific Western University
Los Angeles, CaliforniaBachelor of Science - Aviation Technology & Composites Engineering
Pacific Western University
Los Angeles, CaliforniaSome College (No Degree) - Automotive Engineering And Shop Practice
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CaliforniaSkills
- Aviation Maintenance Leadership
- Aviation Project Management
- Boeing 737NG Fleet Management
- MRO Startup & Repair Station Certification
- FAA/EASA/ICAO Standards
- Aviation Systems Design
- Aviation Surveillance Systems
- Global Operations Management
- Budget administration
- DOD Contract Management
- Program development
- Process Optimization & Continuous Improvement
- MBSE (Model-Based Systems Engineering)
- SysML Modeling
- Team Leadership & Development
- Stakeholder engagement
- Aviation Safety Standards
- Safety management
- Hazardous materials oversight
Affiliations
Systems Engineering: MBSE | SysML (Block/IBD/Sequence/Activity/State Diagrams) | Cameo/MagicDraw | System Architecture Modeling | ICDs | CONOPS | Trace Matrices
Requirements Management: IBM DOORS/DOORS Next | Polarion | Jama | Requirements Traceability | Verification & Validation (V&V)
Mission Systems: SIGINT Payload Integration | RF Communications Intelligence | Electronic Warfare/SIGINT Architectures | ISR Mission Systems | Data Exploitation Toolchains
Signal Processing: SDR (Software Defined Radio) | DSP | RF Signal Processing
Standards & Compliance: MIL-STD-882/961/962 | DO-178C/DO-254 | ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 | INCOSE | FAR 21/91/121/135/145 | FAA/EASA/ICAO | ISO 9001/9100
Aircraft Systems: Boeing 737NG Systems | Composite Structures | Avionics Systems | Fly-by-Wire Controls | AOG Maintenance | STC Modifications
Requirements Management: IBM DOORS/DOORS Next | Polarion | Jama | Requirements Traceability | Verification & Validation (V&V)
Mission Systems: SIGINT Payload Integration | RF Communications Intelligence | Electronic Warfare/SIGINT Architectures | ISR Mission Systems | Data Exploitation Toolchains
Signal Processing: SDR (Software Defined Radio) | DSP | RF Signal Processing
Standards & Compliance: MIL-STD-882/961/962 | DO-178C/DO-254 | ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 | INCOSE | FAR 21/91/121/135/145 | FAA/EASA/ICAO | ISO 9001/9100
Aircraft Systems: Boeing 737NG Systems | Composite Structures | Avionics Systems | Fly-by-Wire Controls | AOG Maintenance | STC Modifications
Certification
Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) License | FCC License | Pilot Certification | Return to Service Inspector (RII) | Hazmat Certified | OSHA Certified | Safety Certified | ICAO Certified | SMS Certified | QSM Certified | ESH Certified | Training Advisor | Taxi Run-Up Examiner | FAA Part 21 Compliance Modification Engineer
Education and Training
other,other,other,other
SECURITY CLEARANCE
Secret (1972-2024) | Top Secret (Previous)
Timeline
BAE SYSTEMS
Senior Site Facilities & Maintenance Program Manager / Director of Maintenance
06.2020 - 10.2020
ERLANDSON AVIATION INC.
Founder & Director of Maintenance
01.2020 - Current
NASA VERTEX / ARMSTRONG SPACE RESEARCH CENTER
Quality Assurance III & ESH Consultant
12.2019 - 06.2020
ERLANDSON AVIATION
Director of Maintenance / Aircraft Maintenance Program Auditor
01.2014 - 01.2019
PMA/DOD CONTRACTS
Derivative Aircraft Systems Engineer, Navigation & Avionics Systems
08.2011 - 11.2014
MATRIX / OFFSHORE INDUSTRIES
Project Manager / FAA Aircraft & Facilities Maintenance Program Manager
01.1999 - 01.2011
SANTA BARBARA AEROSPACE
MRO Quality Systems & Modification Manager
12.1997 - 12.1999
NORTHWEST AIRLINES
Composite Engineering & Special Projects Supervisor
03.1990 - 12.1997
Ph.D. - Commercial and Industrial Economics
Pacific Western University
Master of Science - Aviation Engineering Technology
Pacific Western University
Bachelor of Science - Aviation Technology & Composites Engineering
Pacific Western University
Some College (No Degree) - Automotive Engineering And Shop Practice
Santa Ana College