About Us

Downing Aviation Associates (DAA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Darrel F. Downing LLC, founded in 2001 with the purpose to deliver quality creative solutions to aviation and aerospace companies while keeping the focus on value.

DAA is a veteran owned small business and is CCR registered.

DUNS 007603687.

By adding highly experienced business growth specialists to our contract consultant group, DAA now has the ability to take expansion initiatives from the concept stage through implementation and program management. DAA is equally effective working with start-up aviation and aerospace companies, individual and unique smaller programs and addressing the comprehensive and objective needs of larger established enterprises.

We bring years of experince, industry knowledge, talent, leadership, creativity and strong ethics to each phase of the program.

Core Team

Darrel Downing (Chief Executive Officer)

Darrel is a veteran aviation executive with extensive experience in marketing, new business development, sales, service and support. He has spent nearly four decades in the airline industry in various Sr. Management positions and held a variety of positions at Honeywell and AlliedSignal prior to forming Darrel F. Downing Aerospace Consulting in 2001.

Art Manni (Chief Operating Officer)

Art teamed with Darrel in 2005. Previously Art logged a long tenure at Honeywell, its predecessor, AlliedSignal, and with Pratt & Whitney of Canada before being named vice president of sales and business development at Eagle Picher Technologies. Prior to joining DAA, he served as Vice President and General Manager of the Defense division of AmSafe, Inc.

Rick Reuland (Engineering Associate)

Rick has been with DAA since 2005. He has enjoyed a long and successful tenure of in the Marketing Support and Power Plant Installation Engineering, with industry leading roles at both Pratt & Whitney Canada and with Garrett / Honeywell. He has been the direct technical liaison link at these engine manufactures with the world's leading business, utility and regional aircraft OEMs. He has also created, implemented and led the program management on several unique installation and retrofit packages for numerous start-up and modification companies.

Bill Maxey (Project Management)

Bill came on board in 2006. A graduate of the University of Texas in Aerospace Engineering with 40 years Aviation Experience in Aircraft Certification, Project Management, Sales, Marketing and Support of aircraft and engines. Experience includes Engine Design and Development, FAA Coordinator, Power Plant and Systems Equipment DER for the FAA Certification of several Airplanes. His background includes extensive experience in working with international companies in Europe, Japan, South America, India and Australia. He is a certified pilot that understands airplanes, engines and their support requirements.

Andy Engelhardt (Program Manager)

Andy has been with DAA since 2007 and is a graduate of the University of Arizona in Aerospace Engineering with 42 Years experience in satellite operations, spacecraft engineering, business acquisition, program and executive management. During his career as both a prime contractor and subsystem provider he has worked closely with the US Government (NASA, DOD and other agencies) as well has in Europe and the Far East.