Edward “Skip” Koss, long time vice president of marketing at Concorde Battery Corporation and the aviation industry’s battery authority, passed away March 19, 2019, at his home in Redlands, California.
Skip started his aviation career at Detroit City Airport in the summer of 1949 where he enthusiastically washed and polished airplanes and swept hangar floors.
He went on to attend Aero Mechanics High School the following September, at age 16, and continued to work at the City Airport with every free moment because nothing could keep him away from airplanes.
At 17, Skip passed his written exams for his FAA Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic certification, but he had to wait until 18 to take his Practicals.
Skip went on to work for General Motors Air Transport section for 13 years as an A&P before moving on to act as the director of maintenance for Midwestern Airlines, Omni Aircraft Sales, and Sunstream Jet Center.
Skip chose to accept a position as sales manager with Aero Quality Sales in 1973. There he became the industry’s battery authority and he used this knowledge to work closely with engineering expert Joe Mibelli, JFM Engineering, to develop the first charger analyzer that could charge and discharge high currents at low voltages, the Superseder.
In 1980, Skip joined Teledyne Battery Products as the manager of OEM Sales. He then worked for Marathon Power Technology from 1983 to 1987. He ultimately joined Concorde Battery Corporation in 1987. Skip’s enthusiasm for Concorde’s new AGM technology led to him joining the Concorde team, company officials note.
As is often the case with new technology, getting the industry to accept RG batteries was no small task because no operator wanted to be the first to prove the reliability, dependability, and safety of the new technology, but Skip didn’t give up. His longstanding relationship with Lockheed’s Skunk Works facility allowed him the opportunity to present lead acid batteries for a “vehicle” to replace the high maintenance nickel cadmium batteries they were using.
Lockheed emphasized its lack of interest in Concorde’s batteries but, soon after, Navy batteries began to disappear from the depot and Skip had a hunch that the USAF was borrowing the stock for use on the “vehicle.” The Persian Gulf War started and the F-117A Stealth became world famous. After the war, Lockheed sent Skip a letter stating that Concorde batteries were on the Stealth and thanked Concorde for the support. The US military had found Concorde batteries to be 100% reliable in F-4, F/A-18, C-130, KC-135, and the renowned F-117A aircraft during the war, company officials report.
This success led to additional military certifications on the T-1A and BeechJet 400A and ultimately allowed Concorde to enter into the commercial market when Skip facilitated Beechcraft’s KingAir’s switch from nickel cadmium to Concorde’s sealed lead acid battery as original equipment.
Skip’s business prowess and aircraft knowledge propelled Concorde into the strong position held today by way of designing drop-in replacement batteries that provide pilots and mechanics a dependable, low maintenance solution. Skip made significant developments in sales and marketing over more than 30 years of dedication to Concorde and will forever be a rich part of Concorde’s history, company officials say.
Skip’s passion for aviation was second to none and he contributed much to the industry. He was an active member of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the FAA Aerospace Committee for the development of US aircraft battery specifications. He was also a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA), donating endless hours to the education of mechanics and pilots.
Skip’s contributions to the industry were recognized in 2009 when he was awarded the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award by the FAA in recognition of his contributions to building and maintaining the safest aviation system in the world through practicing and promoting safe aircraft maintenance for 50 consecutive years.
Skip is survived by two sisters and nine children: Kathy Katz, Eve Arnett, Paul Koss, Amy Koss, Pete Koss, Erin Thompson, Pamela Little, Jill Duke, Mark Koss, as well as 18 grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life is being organized. More details will be available through Concorde Battery Corporation as details are finalized.
RIP Skip. I first met Skip when he came by the shop one day when we were based at Redlands, (L12/KREI), with one of my clients. They were going somewhere and the aircraft’s battery was dead. I just happened to have a new Concord 35 battery in stock and set them up a few hours later. The following week he came by the shop with the “new recombinant gas” sealed battery as a replacement. I was skeptical at first, but he ensured me this was the best thing to happen to aviation since retractable gear. Now, TCM Gill batteries is not far from the Redlands Airport, so changing brands was a tough decision, but any new technology is always welcome, especially when it comes to safety. Skip followed up a couple of times after that, and even brought out a warranty replacement for me on a Saturday. He was the real deal. No B.S. and always willing to answer the phone and my questions. He will be missed by all.
As a pilot/A&PIA/safety guy w the same 50+ years in the business I will miss Skip on both a personal and professional level. As a Safety professional I asked for support in helping folks understand the (then) “new technology” and Skip nevers batted an eye dispite being on the other side of the country. He always found a great and knowlegable advocate to be our “presenting expert”. He birthed the AGM battery into a world of old skeptics and made believers of us all. As we pack out for Sun n Fun he’s a face we’ll sorely miss.