Meet James F. Irvin

Jim F Irvine Aers

Jim Irvin

With more than 40 years of experience in aviation, Jim Irvin is the one to call after an aircraft or engine failure. Irvin is respected for his integrity, hard work, and commitment to high-quality analyses. Jim has traveled worldwide to witness engine and component disassembly and inspections. His response times are immediate. Reports are concise and accurate . They are prepared in a timely manner.

Licenses, Certificates and Memberships
  • First solo flight, student pilot certificate 04/03/1971
  • Radio telephone operators certificate 03/28/1972
  • Pilot License –04/03/1972 ASEL, AMEL
  • Airframe and Power plants Mechanics License – 01/17/1977
  • Federal Aviation Administration Inspection Authorization – 08/19/1980
  • Member, International Society of Air Safety Investigators - 02/1991
  • Certified advanced open water and rescue diver 09/1986
Honors and Awards

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Wall of Honor


Insurance Claim Support

Aviation losses are expensive, and AERS LLC is committed to making sure that all costs are properly calculated and attributed. By assessing the cause and cost of aviation accidents and incidents, AERS LLC makes sure that insurers, and insureds, are aware of their full liabilities, and associated costs.
Upon receipt of a new claim file assignment, AERS LLC will contact any and all parties concerned and make all the arrangements to inspect document and preserve the aircraft engine and or component. AERS LLC will perform a detailed cost assessment of the loss.
AERS LLC will determine the cause of the loss either by a simple on-site inspection, or a detailed laboratory analysis.


Aircraft Repairs and Updates

By studying past aircraft accidents, incidents, failures and determining their cause, AERS LLC can determine the most effective aircraft repairs and updates to prevent future issues. AERS LLC specializes in performing work scope analyses for engine and aircraft repair work, offering technical support during repairs and overhauls in determining the most cost-effective management practices. Mr. Irvin also has experience testing balances, loads, strain gauges, and other dynamic and power plant components and equipment.


Failure Analysis

Irvin focuses on figuring out why aviation accidents occur. He is trained to examine crash sites, reconstruct the conditions of the crash, and determine whether technical; glitches, piloting mistakes, external factors, or some combination thereof contributed to the crash. He specializes in investigating turbine engines, helicopter dynamic components, and reciprocating engines.


Legal Consultation and Support

Aircraft accidents, incidents, and failures have no shortage of legal implications. Mr. Irvin is excited to use his failure analysis expertise to resolve any disputes over aircraft safety, regulations, and cost analysis. Mr. Irvin is well-versed in aviation law, and is willing to testify in both Federal and State courts as an expert witness. He has worked with the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration to provide consultation on aircraft maintenance, fixed wing aircraft and rotorcraft material failures, and regulation compliance. To protect confidentiality, Mr. Irvin cannot list all of the projects he has worked on, but can provide a partial list under certain conditions.

  • 1983 - Present - President / Failure Analysist / Investigator of AERS, LLC.

    • Failure analysis of gas turbine engines
    • Failure analysis of reciprocating engines
    • Comparative cost analysis and claim cost analysis
    • Insurance claims investigation, cause, and cost evaluation
    • On site investigation / Aircraft accident investigation
    • Power plant and dynamic component testing, including strain gauge, balance and load analysis
    • Provide services to FAA and NTSB
    • Testify as an expert witness in state and federal court pertaining to aircraft maintenance, FAA regulation and material failures for both fixed wing rotorcraft

  • 1982 - 1988 Founder / President / Chief Operating Officer of Dynamic Jet and Rotor Wing, Inc.

    • Responsible for all facets of the daily operation of this full service repair / maintenance / overhaul facility and FAA part 145 approved certified repair station
    • Factory Service Center for Piper Cheyenne aircraft, Pratt & Whitney PT6, JT15D, Allison A250 series, General Electric CF700 and CJ610, and Garrett TPE331 gas turbine engines.
    • General Electric CF700 and CJ610, and Garrett TPE331 gas turbine engines
    • Factory Service Center for Lycoming and Continental engines
    • Approved as an FAA major repair facility (#408-125)
    • Performed major repairs, overhauls and alterations on general aviation aircraft, corporate jets, turbo props, and helicopters
    • Designed and adapted the Spectrolab Night Sun Searchlight for police application of the Enstrom 280FX helicopter and obtained supplemental type certificate for same
    • Performed maintenance, major repairs, alterations, and component overhaul on helicopters
    • Responsible for work scopes and cost quotes
    • Served as director of Maintenance for FAA part 135 operators
    • Responsible for part 145 repair station and its operation
    • Responsible for all maintenance and regulatory requirements for the City of Pomona Helicopter Flight Department

  • 1980 - 1982 - Service Manager / Director of Maintenance at Pomona Valley Aviation

    • Managed and directed the activities of all mechanics and maintenance functions
    • Responsible for compliance with all pertinent FAA Regulations
    • Prepared estimates and billing
    • Performed routine and heavy maintenance on turbo pro aircraft, jets, and helicopters
    • Provided product support and customer relations

  • 1980 - 1982 - Director of Maintenance at Inland Empire Airlines

    • Simultaneously, served as a Director of Maintenance for Inland Empire Airlines
    • Oversaw all maintenance procedures for Navajo Chieftains and Metro-liners
    • Scheduled workflow and prepared all applicable FAA paperwork

  • 1976 - 1980 - Assistant Service Manager / Crew Chief at Martin Aviation

    • Responsible for directing all maintenance functions and activities for this FAA approved certificated repair station
    • Aircraft included Learjet's (20 & 30 series) Cessna Citations, Beechcraft King Airs, Mitsubishi MU2's Piper Cheyenne's, Turbo Commanders, Lockheed Jet Stars, Gulf Stream G-11 and Bell helicopters

  • 1974 - 1976 Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic under FAA Repair Station at Mission Beechfraft

    • Performed light and heavy maintenance on the entire Beechcraft line through the Series 200 King Air

  • 1969 - 1974 Line Man/Apprentice A&P Mechanic at G&H Aircraft