Mark Van Tine Joins Board Of Aero Electric Aircraft
Mark Van Tine, retiring Vice President, Digital Aviation for the Boeing Company and CEO of Jeppesen, has joined the Board of Directors of Aero Electric Aircraft Corp. (AEAC). AEAC is developing the high-tech, solar-electric “Sun Flyer” general aviation flight trainer.
Mark Van Tine, retiring Vice President, Digital Aviation for the Boeing Company and CEO of Jeppesen, has joined the Board of Directors of Aero Electric Aircraft Corp. (AEAC). AEAC is developing the high-tech, solar-electric "Sun Flyer" general aviation flight trainer.
Van Tine began his career with Lockheed DataPlan that was later acquired by Jeppesen. In 1995 he relocated to Denver to oversee Jeppesen's worldwide flight information development, printing and distribution operations, and IT organizations. Since then, he worked in a variety of different organizations within Jeppesen, including flight operations, customer service, navigation and information technology. He was named Jeppesen President and Chief Executive Officer in October 2002, and became Boeing's executive leader of the newly formed Digital Aviation business in October 2012.
Van Tine remains active in civic and industry relations. He is a lifetime member of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and is a member of the Board of Directors for EAA. Van Tine also currently sits on the Board of Directors for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and serves as Chairman of the Security Issues Committee. He chairs the Jeppesen Aviation Foundation, which honors the legacy of Captain Elrey B. Jeppesen by providing support to educational institutions, organizations and students in the aviation community. He serves on the Advisory Board for Cherry Creek Schools Aviation Technology Program and participates in an advisory capacity for the aviation programs at Metropolitan State University and San Jose State University.
Van Tine also volunteers as a pilot to fly participants in community programs supported by Jeppesen, including EAA Young Eagles, CraigFlight and Challenge Air for Kids. Finally, Van Tine is one of three general co-chairs of the Wingspan Campaign Committee for Wings Over the Rockies Museum, a team raising funds to build an aerospace educational and cultural center called Exploration of Flight at Centennial Airport in Colorado.
"I am honored and excited to have this opportunity to join the AEAC Board," Van Tine said. "The need for a safe, efficient, low-cost airplane to train and fly new pilots has never been greater, and in fact, this need will grow dramatically in the future. The Sun Flyer will use advanced technologies to make the objective of an electric airplane absolutely practical and real."
George Bye, CEO of AEAC, said it is an honor to welcome Van Tine to the AEAC Board. "Mark has had a distinguished career and continues to support aviation in every way possible," Bye said. "We believe his leadership with the Sun Flyer program will enhance what will no doubt be an exciting year."
The 2-seat proof of concept prototype for the Sun Flyer solar-electric flight is completing final integration and assembly at its home station at Centennial Airport near Denver. A rollout event is scheduled for late April. The Sun Flyer aircraft is intended to be the first FAA-certified, U.S.-sponsored, practical, all-electric airplane serving the flight training market.
ABOUT AERO ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT CORP. AEAC is developing Sun Flyer, the first certified U.S.-sponsored, practical, all-electric airplane serving the aviation flight training market. For more information, go to www.SunFlyer.com.
