Gerard van Dyk
A&P Certificate, FAA Safety Award Winner, Director of Maintenance for Rollins Co.,
Charles Taylor "Master Mechanic" Award.
Gerard van Dyk, “Van”, was 24 years old when he moved to Delaware with his wife, Wyneke, from the Netherlands. He had served in the Royal Dutch Air Force and worked for KLM airline, where he performed maintenance on the Lockheed Super Constellations and DC-8’s.
Van and Wyneke became U.S. Citizens in 1963. After passing the FAA written exam, he was offered a job at Summit Aviation in Middletown, DE. There, he obtained his practical for the A&P Certificate and soon after, his private pilot license. Summit Aviation provided Van with the knowledge of General Aviation and of the first corporate jet, the Lear 23. In 1970, Van was awarded the “FAA Safety” Award for developing a Test Bench that controlled the turbocharger after repair and overhaul.
In the early 70’s, Van became Director of Maintenance for the Rollins Company, maintaining their fleet. When Rollins Company closed their Flight Department, he started his first business, “Gerard van Dyk, Inc.” The business performed maintenance on General aviation aircraft and employed 10-15 mechanics. Soon, Van and Wyneke, started a second business selling fuel, leasing Hangar space, T-Hangars, and Tie downs, named New Castle Aviation which, along with Atlantic Aviation, was one of the first Fixed Based Operator’s on the field. In 1977, Summit Aviation expanded their business to New Castle Airport and Van became Director of Maintenance for Summit.
In 1985, Van and Wyneke founded Elcorta, Inc., in the old Hercules hangar at the airport, with one customer, a Falcon 20. In 1993, Elcorta obtained an FAA Repair Certificate. A new hangar was built in 1999, maintaining all Corporate Turbine Aircraft.
In 2008, Elcorta, Inc., was joined by partners and renamed MX Aviation Services, Inc., providing maintenance services throughout the east coast. In 2011, MX Jet Services closed due to the recession. Van kept his hangar, and Repair Station Certificate, which he sold to Dumont Aviation in 2013, today employing over 100 people. He became the Accountable Manager of the Repair Station. After achieving 50 years of holding a U.S. issued A&P Certificate, without incidents or violations, he was awarded the Charles Taylor “Master Mechanic” Award in 2014.
Today, Van inspires many with his vast aviation knowledge and experience. He always said his business successes were because of the mechanics who worked with him.
