Aviation Supplies & Academics Inc.

ASA was started as Merrell Aviation Ground School by Creighton Merrell in 1940. The company’s primary goal soon became the training of post-war military pilots returning from active duty to work in the early civilian airlines. Plotters, regulations and training manuals were the first products. In 1960, the company broadened its production and development efforts with additional pilot supplies and books added to the ground school training line.

In 1969, the company became Northwest School of Aviation under a new owner, Roy Beech. The company’s goal was the franchise of the popular Merrell Ground School under the name “Aviation Seminars of America,” or ASA.

In November, 1976, Joe Cucchiari purchased the company. “Aviation Supplies and Academics” replaced Aviation Seminars of America as the name to go with the ASA acronym, and the company again broadened its product line to add cassette courses and new books and training materials. The company was incorporated in 1977. In 1981, Joe Finelli joined the organization, bringing 20 years of experience in printing and publishing with him. Publishing and manufacturing has since become the principal company mission.