Patrick Peterson – Owner, AP

Sunshine’s Owner, Patrick Peterson, drives quality services across the team through his commitment to customer service, best practices for maintenance and safety, and a deep personal understanding of the relationship between aircraft and their pilots and owners.

Pat’s history with Sunshine and his acquiring ownership of the company enable him to indulge in his love affair with aviation. He also views aircraft maintenance and enhancements through an owner’s eyes, with first-hand experience owning various aircraft, and Cessna and Beechcraft singles currently in the stable. With thousands of hours performing aircraft maintenance, and a particular penchant for avionics, Pat has seen a broad range of aircraft scenarios. Customers tell the Sunshine team they appreciate the perspective Pat brings in guiding customers on choices to achieve lasting value in their aircraft upgrade and maintenance options.

Pat embraces a “do it right, because you can’t do it twice” attitude shared by his team. This approach is informed by a heavy maintenance background that underpins his management of the Sunshine team to the benefit of customers in the greater Milwaukee/Kenosha area and across the Midwest.

Howard Siedlecki – Founder, IA

Howard Siedlecki, has been maintaining aircraft for over 35 years. During this time he has worked on a large variety of aircraft, from the newest Cessnas, Pipers, and Beechcraft, to such vintage aircraft as the Waco, Cub, Stearman, and Champ. He has also worked on a variety of war birds, not the least of which was the Corsair featured as “Pappy” Boyington’s plane in the hit TV show “Baa Baa Black Sheep.”

Howard got his start in 1965 as a Marine Corps aviation mechanic, with 2 tours of duty in Vietnam. His experiences there taught him how to handle a large variety of aircraft maintenance problems, and the best and safest way to resolve them. As a young Quality Control Inspector, he was given the opportunity to use his inspection talents and develop the high standards that he has instilled in his company and employees. Upon returning to the U.S., Howard attended Blackhawk Tech in Janesville, WI, where he received his FAA Airframe and Powerplant Certificate. In 1976, he tested and was issued his Inspection Authorization (IA) Certificate, which he has successfully renewed each year since. During the next two decades, he held positions ranging from mechanic to Chief Inspector to FBO Manager, at Trans-Air Corp., a Cessna dealership at the Waukegan Regional Airport.

Howard is the proud recipient of numerous FAA awards including:

• National Award Winner – FAA Mechanic of the Year 1986
• Great Lakes Regional FAA Mechanic of the Year 1980, 1986, 2000
• West Chicago Regional FAA Mechanic of the Year 1980, 1986
• Milwaukee FSDO FAA Mechanic of the Year 2000
• FAA Maintenance Technicians Awards Program Silver Award 1999
• FAA Maintenance Technicians Awards Program Bronze Award 1998

In addition, Howard is associated with the following organizations: PAMA, EAA, CPA, POS, KPA, and PAPA