STS Aviation Group , Jensen Beach, Fla., promoted Mark Smith to group president of AeroStaff Services, Line Maintenance and Engineering Solutions. Tom Covella was promoted to group president of Component Solutions, and Philip Anson and Bob Greene to CEO and executive chairman, respectively, of the Aviation Group.

Metropolitan Airports Commission , Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn., named Dennis Probst executive VP, a new position.

Timco Aviation Services , Greensboro, N.C., named Mark Davis senior VP-MRO sales.

Wichita Aero Club , Wichita, Kan., elected six new board: John Ek, publisher of The Wichita Business Journal; Sean Weaver, executive VP of Assurance Services at Allen, Gibbs & Houlik; Stephanie Harder, manager of community affairs and internal communications at Cessna Aircraft Co.; Kim Nussbaum, publisher of The Wichita Eagle, and David Van der Wee, VP-marketing, business & general aviation for Pratt & Whitney Canada.

In this economy, airlines have been under tremendous pressure to cut costs and improve revenues. Spiking fuel costs, narrower RASM increases, uncertain demand in mature economies and intense competition have become constant struggles. In addition, Oliver Wyman’s 2012 analysis of airlines in the U.S. found a disheartening trend: With breakeven load factors above 80% for most carriers, there is little room for more load factor growth. In other words, future profits will depend on yield increases or cost improvements.

Metron Aviation , Dulles, Va., appointed Jim Gaughan president and CEO, succeeding Dave Ellison.

Royal Jordanian Airlines , Amman, Jordan, named Amer Hadidi president and CEO.

FlightSafety International , LaGuardia, N.Y., promoted Doug Gill to director of engineering of its visual simulation facility in St. Louis, Mo., and named Woody McClendon sales manager-rotorcraft training.