March 26, 2004

Dave Clark Celebrates 35 Years with Mid-Continent Instruments

Wichita, Kansas Dave Clark’s 35 years of service at Mid-Continent Instruments is testimony to his dedication and work ethic.  The celebration his co-workers threw for him is evidence of the impact he has made on them as well as the company.  He has seen the business change owners, expand to larger facilities, and create new services.  In each of these facets, he has been a part of their success. 

Clark’s tenure at Mid-Continent began in 1966 as a part-time gyro technician.  With five people in the entire company, Clark worked in a tiny room where the owner sat on the other side of the bench.  Eventually the plant expanded, and so did the staff.  In 1969 Clark became a full time instrument technician and was put in charge of 10 people in the gyro department.  John Winter purchased Mid-Continent from one of its original owners, Joe Farney.  Before Winter’s ownership, Mid-Continent focused solely on service work of aircraft instruments.  Winter’s vision turned Mid-Continent into a dual service company that not only repairs and services aviation instruments, but manufactures them as well.  Today the company is run by Todd Winter, John Winter’s son, and has over 150 employees between two locations that offer the largest general aviation instrument overhaul/exchange program in the world.  Specialties include gyro, altimeter, HSI and autopilot system overhauls.   

Anytime the Winters wanted to broaden Mid-Continent’s horizons, they turned to Dave for help.  “Dave Clark has been one of the mainstays at Mid-Continent, and he has been responsible in great part for our company’s growth,” said John Winter.  While in charge of the gyro department, Clark was assigned to the new production line, which manufactured pressure gauges and electric clocks at the time.  When John wanted to buy the Electric Gyro Corp. manufacturing company in Utah, he sent Clark there to learn about the product, and to get production up and running in Wichita.  In 1991 when John was interested in adding General Design to Mid-Continent’s manufacturing division, Clark was sent to study the company in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio.  There he learned how the complex instruments were manufactured and what was needed to set it up.

Clark’s 35 years of service at Mid-Continent allowed him to perform various duties.  “I’ve worn a lot of different hats.  In the early days we had to in order to do what was needed by the customer,” said Clark.  For instance, when business slowed in 1980, Dave told John Winter that he would do whatever was necessary to turn things around and eventually he was operating the entire rotor department by himself.  “Dave could always be counted on to come through when the times were tough. He has a positive attitude and this carries through to our employees and customers,” said John Winter.

These days Clark is a technical supervisor for EGC and is in charge of all General Design gyro production.  He also runs the paint department, the rotor room, and takes technical and sales calls.  Clark credits his four years in the military as an aircraft instrument technician with the Air Force for giving him the basic training needed for his work and for bringing him to Wichita.

In fact, what Clark enjoys most about his job is the interaction with co-workers and customers.  “Customers become friends because they get used to talking with you.  It is very rewarding,” said Dave. 

Mid-Continent Instruments manufactures aircraft instruments for the general aviation industry.  Services at the Wichita, Kansas facility also include developing and manufacturing new avionics products.  Mid-Continent Instruments West in Van Nuys, California provides new instrument sales and is the top-rated instrument overhaul shop on the west coast.  Together the locations employ more than 150 people and offer the largest general aviation instrument overhaul/exchange program in the world.  Specialties include gyro, altimeter, HSI and autopilot system overhauls.  Mid-Continent instruments are found in all new Cessna airplanes and in Raytheon’s Beech line of Bonanzas, Barons, King Airs and 1900 Airliners.  Instruments are sold to other manufacturers such as GARMIN International, Honeywell, Cirrus, Lancair, Piper Aircraft Inc., Diamond and Robinson Helicopter Co.