The A-29 light attack combat and reconnaissance aircraft is proudly built and assembled in Jacksonville, Florida, by a team composed of more than 60 percent U.S. military veterans.
We are honored to have so many A-29 for America team members who have served in the U.S. military defending our country and protecting our freedom.
“For me, building the A-29 is personal.”
Collette
Aircrew Flight Equipment/Life Support
U.S. Air Force
During her 10 years in the U.S. Air Force, Collette was stationed at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan and at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia.
Collette moved to Jacksonville five years ago and joined the A-29 team in 2014 as an Aviation Life Support Technician. She is responsible for all equipment used by A-29 test pilots and flight test engineers including their helmets, vests, g-suits, communications and survival kits.
“My job is if – God forbid – something goes wrong, to make sure they are OK.”
A responsibility she does not take lightly, “I know their families. It’s personal.”
“I’ve flown all types of planes – we both have. The A-29 is the plane for the mission.”
Robert Williams
A-29 Test Pilot
Commander U.S. Navy (retired)
Evan Whitehouse
Flight Test Engineer
Major U.S. Air Force (retired)
A 22-year veteran as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy, Robert has been the lead Test Pilot for Embraer Defense & Security on the A-29 since the commencement of the program in 2013. He has 26 years of flight experience, 17 years as a Test Pilot and more than 5,000 hours in 60 aircraft types. He was an instructor at the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, and has engineering degrees from the U.S. Naval Academy and the University of Tennessee.
Evan is an experienced Air Force pilot with more than 4,400 flight hours. He is an award-winning flight instructor with 20 years of service with the U.S. Air Force. Evan is the primary Flight Test Engineer at Embraer Defense & Security, and has engineering degrees from the University of Virginia and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.
Bob and Evan are the first aircrew to fly the aircraft following completion of production work in Jacksonville. Each aircraft typically requires three to four test flights to confirm compliance prior to customer delivery.
“I’ve been working on the A-29 since Day 1 in Jacksonville.”
Dave
Assembly Tech III
U.S. Marine Corps
Dave has been maintaining and building military planes for 32 years and has called Jacksonville home since 2004. He is one of the original A-29 team members who has been at the Jacksonville facility since it opened in 2013.
As an Assembly Tech, David works on one of the final stages of assembly doing what he says, “makes the airplane an airplane,” including attaching the wings, and installing the landing gear, engine and propeller.
Dave served for six years in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Justin
Final Assembly Tech III
U.S. Air Force
A Florida-native, Justin has more than 14 years of combined U.S. Air Force and civilian A&P maintenance experience. He served in the Air Force from 2000 to 2005, working as an F-16 Crew Chief with participation in several active Middle East campaigns including Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was honorably discharged as an E4.
In July 2015, Justin joined Embraer. He has spent the last two years building, testing and repairing the A-29. He lives in Jacksonville and is the proud father of two daughters and one son.
Mark
Assembly Technician III
U.S. Navy
Recently retired from 20 years of service in the Navy, Mark celebrated his third anniversary building A-29s the day this photo was taken.
Mark has lived in Jacksonville since 1992 with his family, including his two daughters.
Melvin
Avionics Technician
U.S. Navy
Originally from Buffalo, New York, Melvin – a father of four – moved to Jacksonville in 1989 with the U.S. Navy. During his 20-year tenure in the Navy, Melvin served as an avionics technician.
As one of the Jacksonville facility’s original employees, Melvin uses his two decades of experience to install and test the avionics system in the A-29.
Sean
Tool Room
U.S. Navy Reserve
A member of the U.S. Navy Reserve, Sean has served four tours, most recently deploying to Afghanistan in 2016 where he supported a highly visible personnel and asset movement in and out of the country. Sean’s previous tours to Iraq and Kuwait were also performed in a logistical function.
After joining the A-29 team in Jacksonville in October 2013, Sean manages the tool room, ensuring that all parts and equipment needed to build the aircraft are available for his team.
Delone
Senior Quality Engineer
U.S. Navy Reserve
Delone began his service in the U.S. as an Aviation Machinists Mate. After serving five years on active duty, he reenlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve and served as a 3rd Class Petty Officer (E-4) in the Mechanic Shop. After 12 years of great performance and mechanical expertise, he was promoted to Chief Petty Officer (E-7).
Now with the A-29 team, Delone is the Senior Quality Engineer in charge of internal audits, corrective actions and configuration management ensuring all aircraft design and measurement specifications are met prior to aircraft delivery.
Greta
Quality Engineer
U.S. Army
Greta is a new member of the A-29 team in Jacksonville. She transferred in June this year after working for five years at the Embraer Facility in Melbourne, Florida. In partnership with Delone, Greta leads document reviews, corrective action processes, data analysis and metrology.
A Texas-native, Greta served for four years in the U.S. Army as an avionics mechanic. Her love for aviation began when she was given the opportunity to work on helicopters while she was stationed in South Korea and Savannah, Georgia.