At AVI Aviation Inflatables and AVI Survival Products, quality isn’t just a standard—it’s a shared responsibility and a way of life. Louis Bongiovi Jr., Quality Director, championed that mindset, whose depth of experience and visionary leadership are shaping a new era of safety, precision, and continuous improvement.
Louis’s journey began with a simple belief: do it right the first time. As a former production manager, his focus on reducing rework and building reliable systems naturally led to a quality-focused career. In 2013, he transitioned into aviation, supporting a growing parts company that needed stronger quality systems. That opportunity marked the start of his path in aviation quality leadership.
“Quality is not about catching mistakes—it’s about building systems that prevent them.”
This insight—learned while establishing United Electronics Corporation and implementing ISO and AS standards—continues to guide his work today.
At AVI, Louis is responsible for ensuring FAA Part 145 compliance, leading audits, inspections, and continuous improvement initiatives. But his impact goes beyond compliance—he’s transforming how quality functions company-wide.
His overhaul of the Internal Audit Program led to the launch of a certification system based on ISO 19011 principles. The program has earned praise from customer auditors and is now being scaled across the FCAH Aerospace platform to promote cross-company collaboration and shared learning.
Louis believes that the future of quality is proactive and embedded in daily operations.
“Quality is not a department. It’s a shared responsibility across the organization.”
Inspired by Total Quality Management, he’s cultivating a sustainable quality culture at AVI—where quality is seen not as a hurdle but as a tool for empowerment and long-term success.
A quote posted outside his office sums it up best:
“Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, and skillful execution.” – William A. Foster
Under Louis’s leadership, AVI’s Quality team collaborates closely with Engineering, Production, and Materials. Together, they address dimensional challenges, support DER repairs, and optimize documentation, ensuring quality supports rather than slows production.
This collaborative approach reinforces a key principle: when quality is integrated, it builds trust, drives efficiency, and accelerates innovation.
Outside of work, Louis is grounded by his faith and family, which are values that shape his mentorship-focused leadership style. For him, success is measured by both improved systems and empowered people.
“If I lose someone to a promotion, I see it as a win.”
His goal is to foster growth for the organization and its individuals.
Q: What do you find most rewarding about your job?
A: “Seeing real improvements in processes—and people—is what motivates me most. Whether it’s refining a system that makes someone’s job easier or mentoring a team member into a new opportunity, I find purpose in helping others grow and succeed.”
Lou’s approach blends operational efficiency with personal development, ensuring quality touches both products and people.
Q: What distinguishes AVI Aviation Inflatables in terms of its commitment to quality?
A: “It starts with leadership. AVI’s management understands Aviation Inflatables' technical and regulatory complexities and supports the modernization of our systems and culture. The FCAH Aerospace Quality & Safety Committee is one example of how we collaborate across the platform.”
AVI’s success is rooted in aligned leadership, shared goals, and a culture of continuous improvement.
Q: Could you highlight a specific quality initiative you’re proud of?
A: “Revamping our Internal Audit Program was a major early win. We created a certification program based on ISO 19011 principles, and the response—even from customer auditors—has been incredibly positive. We’re now expanding it across the FCAH platform.”
This program reflects Lou’s vision for scalable, impactful systems that uplift not just AVI but the broader organization.
Louis sees the aviation industry moving toward deeper integration of quality into all aspects of operation. His focus is on developing systems that are scalable, compliant, and user-friendly—systems that make excellence routine and sustainable.
“It’s not about inspecting flaws—it’s about designing systems that make excellence the default.”
As AVI Aviation Inflatables evolve, Lou Bongiovi Jr.’s leadership is laying the groundwork for a resilient, high-performance culture rooted in trust, transparency, and forward-thinking quality systems.
About AVI
AVI, an FCAH Aerospace brand, provides comprehensive, cost-saving solutions for survival products, inflatables, and accessories through our divisions, which include Aviation Inflatables, AVI-Survival Products, and AVI-Accessories. Our portfolio of services encompasses solutions that support commercial & regional airlines, government & military enterprises, helicopters, & general aviation