Redbird Flight, the makers of flight training devices and advanced aviation training devices since 2006, is shaking up its C-suite. The Texas-based company today announced the appointment of Charlie Gregoire as chief executive officer, effective immediately.
Gregoire previously held the role of chief operating officer.
Gregoire succeeds Todd Willinger, who is moving into the role of executive chairman after serving as the CEO of Redbird since the company was founded in 2006. Willinger becomes the executive chairman but will remain in an advisory role for an interim transitional period.
“It is an honor to step into the role of CEO of Redbird and lead a passionate team of people that works every day to make aviation safer and more accessible,” said Gregoire. “Redbird is uniquely positioned to continue developing innovative solutions that shape the future of aviation education and flight training. I want to thank Todd for his leadership and vision, which set us up for this next phase of growth, and I look forward to building upon that work.”
“Charlie has played a critical role in the development of Redbird’s operations and long-term strategy since the company’s founding,” said Willinger. “He has a clear vision for the future of Redbird, a well-articulated roadmap, and a proven ability to drive business performance. I am confident he is the right person to guide the company forward.”
Willinger succeeds Redbird founder Jerry Gregoire, who is stepping down from the board of directors and his role as chairman after serving in the position since the company’s inception.
Another change finds Josh Harnagel, who previously held the position of vice president of customer experience, stepping into the role of chief operating officer.
Since 2006, Redbird has been making FTDs and AATDs that are geared toward making aviation more accessible. The devices range from desktop to full-motion platforms that deliver high-fidelity training devices to flight schools, colleges and universities, K-12 classrooms, and individual pilots around the world.
Redbirds are also the machines utilized at the Experimental Aircraft Association Pilot Proficiency Center in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. According to Redbird, there are approximately 4,000 devices in service around the world.
