In 2004 Manuel Rizo founded RizoJet Avionics International, LLC and in 2008 RizoJet Aviation Services, LLC found Manuel Rizo….but before and a…

Long time ago…

Upon graduation from High School in 1990, Manuel Rizo enrolled in the flight training program at South West Texas Junior College in Uvalde, Texas and worked fueling aircraft on the weekends at the local FBO. In 1993, he became the President of the Aviation Club and received a two year degree in Applied Science with a Commercial License with Instrument Rating.

He realized that having a license was just a “license to learn” and could not get a job until he had enough logged hours in pilot in command. In 1993, Manuel and his new family moved to Dallas, Texas. Manuel was to attend A&P School while his wife would attend Cosmetology school. They soon realized how hard it was going to be financially, therefore, Manuel got a customer service job with MCI Telecommunications while his wife attended school. Manuel would look out the windows of the fifth story MCI building and see airplanes on approach to both Love Field and Addison and he knew he had to return back to Aviation. Immediately, after his wife finished school, he attended Texas Aero Tech during the day while working nights and weekends fueling aircraft and assisting mechanics working on Hawker and Jet Commanders at Addison Airport. During the course of A&P training, Texas Aero Tech shut down and he had to transfer to International Aviation and Travel Academy in Arlington, Texas with only 3 months remaining. It was a very difficult transition as he and his 2 year old son had to travel two hours a day for day care and A&P School. While working in Addison, he was introduced to avionics, performed wire marking and harness fabrication and assisted in installing relays, terminals and equipment relocation in the cargo conversion of Hawker aircraft.

Right after graduation of A&P School in 1996, Manuel and his family moved back home to Uvalde, Texas. He got a job with SouthStar Aircraft Interiors and worked his way up from A&P and Installer to Inspector. In 1998, he earned an opportunity to work for Columbia Avionics, Inc in their new satellite location in Uvalde, Texas. He worked his way up from Avionics Installer to Avionics Manager. For seven years he worked on rebuilding and modifying Cessna Citation 500 series aircraft (among others) from the ground up (literally). He was responsible for completing avionics projects on aircraft that have flown around the world, setting records as well as an extensive avionics projects for former astronaut Col. Frank Borman.

Many years earlier…

Columbia Avionics Inc., lease was not renewed in late 2003 and in early 2004, Manuel made a hard decision-to start his own avionics business, RizoJet Avionics International, in nearby Hondo, Texas. He received incomparable support from his wife, brother, sister-in-law, and a handful of loyal customers from both the USA and Mexico-customers both loyal and trustworthy that had placed deposits for RVSM and TAWS installations. He even had one Citation 550 aircraft that flew from Oregon and waited a few days without work being accomplished while the final FAA inspection and subsequent approval for an FAA Certified Repair Station. In December 16, 2004, Manuel and his one dedicated employee, received their FAA Certified Repair Station Certificate.

It was time to work-Manuel immediately set up Avionics Dealerships and currently is a dealer for Garmin, Avidyne, Aircell, PS-Engineering, L3-Communications, DAC International, Sandel Avionics, Universal Avionics and others. Due to his technical experience and honesty, his loyal customers asked Manuel to assist in their turbine aircraft acquisition and sales. In 2008, in response to his customers request for full time aircraft sales and acquisitions, Manual founded RizoJet Aviation Services, LLC.

The future….

RizoJet’s future plans (2010) include finalizing business plans for building a new first class 40,000 square foot hangar with aircraft and avionics showroom and offices to complement the existing business with a One-Stop-Shop for aircraft sales, avionics, paint, interior and maintenance.