Uh, can anybody help me…please?

Jamie Beckett | Politics for Pilots | March 1, 2010

Situational awareness is a big deal at the airport. Just as pilots need to have a clear picture of what’s going on around them in the ether, airport managers need to have a solid grasp of the condition of the field they are responsible for. Similarly, airport advisory board members, and their support staff, need to have access to reliable, verifiable information if they are to have any hope of providing oversight that is worth a hill of beans.

It’s all pretty basic. Clear communications lead to enhanced understanding, which leads to worthwhile action. At least that’s the theory. Continue Reading »

Brantner joins Groom Aviation

Janice Wood | General Aviation News | August 19, 2009

Doug Brantner has joined Groom Aviation LLC as a partner in the consulting firm, which is dedicated to the general aviation industry.

Brantner’s nearly 20-year executive management career in general aviation, most recently as vice president responsible for Hawker Beechcraft Services, includes operational and financial leadership experiences with aircraft manufacturing, fixed base operations, and after-market service.

He is a certified public accountant, pilot, and former adjunct professor of managerial finance. He holds a master of accounting and a bachelor in psychology from the University of Illinois and he has completed continuing executive education at Northwestern University.

For more information: GroomAviation.com.

XL Insurance expands US aviation team

Janice Wood | General Aviation News | July 15, 2009

XL Insurance has expanded its US aviation operations with four new appointments to its New York-based underwriting team.

New are underwriters Armand Ferranti Jr., Eileen Mitchell and Charles Koehler, and business analyst Isabel Marin.

For more information: www.xlinsurance.com/aviation.

Duncan Aviation taps Suglia for sales

Janice Wood | General Aviation News | July 10, 2009

Phil Suglia has been named the new sales manager at Duncan Aviation’s Battle Creek, Michigan, facility.

Suglia began his career with Duncan Aviation in 2000 with the Line Service Department. He was promoted to Line Service Team Leader that same year and became FBO Services Manager in January of 2006. Suglia has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Western Michigan University.

For more information: 269-969-8458 or DuncanAviation.aero.

Blackhawk taps Patton for sales

Janice Wood | General Aviation News | July 3, 2009

Blackhawk Modifications, Inc. has named Bobby Patton as distributor program manager of the worldwide turboprop engine upgrade company, located in Waco, Texas.

Patton was previously employed at Raisbeck Engineering as director of sales.

Born in Oklahoma City, Patton has lived in Seattle for the past 16 years. He will remain based in Seattle, traveling extensively to support Blackhawk’s worldwide network of more than 35 dealers.

For more information: www.blackhawk.aero

Keeping up with the Joneses

Janice Wood | General Aviation News | July 3, 2009

KT Budde-Jones and Syd Jones have returned to Kissimmee, Florida, after four years in Hawaii helping open and establish the new Pacific Aviation Museum-Pearl Harbor.

KT has joined the Kissimmee Air Museum and Warbird Adventures as public relations director, while Syd will assist the WWII Fighter Aircraft Foundation with the restoration of its FW 190 to flight worthy status. The rare “Weisse Eins” project is located in the museum and guests will be able to observe the progress of the German warrior when they visit, according to Jones.

The recently expanded Kissimmee Air Museum and Warbird Adventures are located at Kissimmee Gateway Airport in two new hangars.

For more information: 800- 386-1593, www.kissimmeeairmuseum.com or www.warbirdadventures.com

ISM manager earns accreditation

Janice Wood | General Aviation News | July 1, 2009

George M. Stokus, airfield manager at Florida’s Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM), has been awarded the distinction of Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) by the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE).

Stokus had to successfully complete three phases of the accreditation process: Pass a 180-item, multiple-choice examination; fulfill a writing requirement; and demonstrate, in an interview by a panel of A.A.E.s, his knowledge of airport management, business administration and general transportation economics.

Stokus, who joined ISM in 2004, is a member of the Florida Airports Council. He earned a master’s degree in public administration from Keller Graduate School of Management and a bachelor’s degree in aviation management from Southern Illinois University.

For more information: KissimmeeAirport.com.

Lervold named CubCrafters GM

Janice Wood | General Aviation News | June 29, 2009

CubCrafters has named Randy Lervold as its new General Manager.

He will lead daily operations and drive long term planning for the company, which manufactures the Sport Cub S2, the Sport Cub, the Super Sport Cub, and the Top Cub.

For more information: CubCrafters.com

M7 names Colunga MRO VP

Janice Wood | General Aviation News | June 18, 2009

M7 Aerospace has named Ronald Colunga vice president of Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO).

Colunga has accumulated nearly 40 years of experience in aircraft logistics, maintenance, repair and overhaul, and business development programs. Most recently he was vice president, Business Development Support Maintenance Repair and Overhaul for SAFRAN USA in Arlington, Va.

Previously Colunga served more than 33 years with the U.S. Air Force, specializing in aircraft maintenance, transportation and logistics, including development of logistics policies, concepts and systems. He retired with the rank of Colonel.

For more information: M7Aerospace.com.

Chicago law firm adds aviation attorney

Janice Wood | General Aviation News | June 10, 2009

Robert McKenzie has joined the Chicago law firm of Arnstein & Lehr as an associate in the bankruptcy and creditors’ rights, business organizations and transactions and litigation practice groups in the Chicago office. He will concentrate his practice on business, creditor’s rights, litigation and aviation.

McKenzie comes to the firm from Lavelle Law, Ltd., where he founded and managed the Aviation Law Group. He is a CFI and commercial pilot, as well as a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the Cessna 150-152 Club. In addition, he is a U.S. Merchant Marine Officer and regularly lectures on matters of aviation law and taxation at airports throughout the Midwest.

For more information: Arnstein.com.