Rafat Musallam has spent more than two decades in commercial and business aviation, building his career around solving complex aviation challenges — particularly where conventional maintenance and repair solutions fall short. Educated in Canada and the United States, he holds a B.S. in Aviation & Space Technology and brings extensive hands-on experience in aircraft structural repair, modifications, AOG recovery and technical operations.
A Career Built on the Hardest Problems in Aviation
Throughout his career, Rafat has worked at the sharp end of aircraft maintenance — where grounded aircraft, tight timelines and non-standard damage demand engineered answers, not standard playbook responses:
- Structural authority: Performed and signed off on major structural modifications and heavy repairs on in-service and heavy-check aircraft.
- AOG leadership: Led AOG response teams, reducing aircraft downtime for operators facing grounded aircraft.
- Repair innovation: Specialized in creating faster, safer repair procedures adapted to manufacturer specifications.
- On-site technical authority: Coordinated repair execution and technical decision-making directly at the aircraft, beyond the workshop floor.
From Montreal to Sonic Aerospace Solutions
Rafat established his first aviation company in Montreal, Canada, specializing in structural modifications and AOG repairs, before founding Sonic Aerospace Solutions — a structural repair and technical services provider that today operates from Tucson, Arizona, in the United States.
Leading LIR-SONIC International
Today, as CEO and Co-Founder of LIR-SONIC International, Rafat leads the company's MRO, AOG, modifications and accelerated technical workforce training, supporting both civil and military aviation customers. His operating philosophy is simple: when a standard repair solution doesn't exist, engineer one — safely, quickly and in line with manufacturer data.
Together with Managing Director Dr. Alsayedissa Alhashmi, he anchors the consortium's physical aviation services — from around-the-clock AOG support to practical technician training programs — complementing LIR Digital's Athena MRO technology platform.