9 March 2007Moises Ortiz Celebrates 20 Years with Mid-Continent Instruments
WICHITA, Kan. — It’s been 20 years since Mid-Continent Instruments purchased Electric Gyro Corp. from Utah-based Tally Corp and established a production line in Wichita. It’s also a milestone for Moises Ortiz, a major force behind the success of Mid-Continent’s EGC line, as he too celebrates his 20th year with Mid-Continent Instruments and his 37th year with EGC. Moises worked for Tally Corp as a glass blower when Mid-Continent purchased EGC. To start production in Wichita, Moises began what was supposed to be a six-month stint teaching glass blowing. It wasn’t long before he was offered a job and became a permanent fixture at Mid-Continent Instruments. “Moises has special talents and a ‘can do’ attitude that promote the growth and continued improvement of EGC products,” said Dave Clark, Gyro Production Manager. “His glass blowing is instrumental in the manufacturing of inclinometers, and his familiarity with silk screening dial parts and knowledge of building various models of EGC turn coordinators have been key contributors as well.” Upon purchasing the gyro line, Mid-Continent made immediate design modifications that yielded a more reliable unit, provided greater field support, and made the pricing more affordable. Perhaps the most significant change was lengthening the life of the turn coordinator at the request of OEM customers. Mid-Continent’s EGC turn coordinators and turn and slip indicators have been installed in more aircraft than any other type during the 45 years they have been in production. Last March the company celebrated the manufacture of the 300,000th turn coordinator. These instruments provide the pilot with turn rate and slip/skid information, and critical flight data in the event of vacuum system interruption or attitude gyro failure. EGC gyros are used by thousands of pilots daily and are supplied as standard equipment for many Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s) including Cessna, Raytheon, Piper, Mooney, Maule Air, Robinson Helicopter, Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland, and Diamond Aircraft, among others. 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.
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