Banyan Celebrates 30-Year Anniversary

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Located at Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport, Banyan Air Services, Inc. is proud to announce 30 years of aviation excellence. “It has been my sincere privilege over the years to grow with our teammates as we rally around clearly defined goals, strictly adhere to our values and passionately pursue excellence in the way we serve our customers and our community,” stated Don Campion, Banyan’s founder.
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Chuck Speakman Accepts Position at Hangar63

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Chuck Speakman recently accepted the position of store manager at Hangar63 (Banyan’s Aviation Store) located at Executive Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Previously employed by ACR Electronics, Speakman was responsible for sales and technical training for all dealers and distributors across North America. Prior to that, he managed retail stores for West Marine at several locations in Southeast Florida.
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TCM President Rhett Ross to Speak March 12

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Rhett Ross, President of Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM), will be the featured guest speaker at the regular bi–monthly meeting of the Atlanta Aero Club scheduled for March 12. Ross, who became president of TCM in the fall of 2007, has 21 years of mechanical and nuclear engineering management experience and was previously president of Teledyne Energy Systems. He has also served as an officer in the U.S. Navy’s Submarine Service with responsibility for Reactor Operations.
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Thursday Open Thread: TSA's Large Airport Security Program (LASP)

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Friday, Feb. 27, is the deadline to submit comments to the Transportation Security Administration on the proposed Large Aircraft Security Program. LASP would subject operators of aircraft with a take-off weight greater than 12,500 pounds to make sure crews and passengers have cleared security checks.

What do you think about the LASP proposal? What would you tell the TSA? What have you heard from customers who use your airport or FBO?

Click the comments link to contribute.

And here are some links to more information about LASP and other related news:
TSA programs
NBAA's draft comments
Feds may tighten small airport security – FOX 5, Atlanta
Airport to have new security rules in April – ENCToday.com
General aviation customers annoyed about security rule – ENCToday.com

Havasu Air Center Joins Avfuel Network

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Havasu Air Center has joined the Avfuel dealer network. The Lake Havasu City, Ariz., (HII) FBO will receive fuel and quality assurance and marketing support from Avfuel. Havasu Air Center is offering pilots six AVTRIP points per gallon of fuel purchased. This offer extends to Avfuel Contract Fuel purchases and ends on March 31, 2009. Havasu Air Center offers a free night of hangar space — for a G-V or a 182 — after an initial purchase of 10 gallons of fuel, too.
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Business Jet Buyers, Sellers Don't Agree on Values

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Looking at the few jet sales that occurred in the final three months of 2008, it is interesting to attempt to identify the types of transactions. Are the sale prices considered fair market values, or are they more along the lines of distressed liquidation values? It depends on the side of the bargaining table. For the seller, chances are the distress in the negotiated sale price has to do with some urgency to liquidate the asset. On the other hand, the buyer who is the end user will argue the sale price is fair market value because he would not be willing to pay more for the aircraft. With too many buyers and sellers still riding the fence, it is hard to know what to call the sale. One thing is certain: If the present economy is our OK Corral, it is getting close to high noon. With the showdown at hand, one side or the other will be the first to break leather. After the smoke clears, everyone will know who the winner is. Time will tell.
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FuelerLinx Saves Time Spent Comparing Contract Fuel Prices

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Gone are the days of dispatchers with eyes glued to spreadsheets trying to spot the best fuel prices in an endless column of numbers. FuelerLinx, a new proprietary software system based in Van Nuys, Calif., can help flight departments eliminate the tedious task of searching for the best contracted fuel price. “We offer a complete contract fuel management tool,” FuelerLinx founder and president Kevin Moller said.
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New Management at Sebring Flight Center (SEF) Boosts Customer Service

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Sebring Flight Center, the most recent addition to the Avfuel network of branded FBOs and contract fuel agents, is now under the management of ABS Aviation Management Services. On Oct. 1, 2009, ABS Aviation Management Services took over all day-to-day activities including customer relations, training, safety, fuel quality control, ordering and pricing. Most notably, the new management has dramatically revised the FBO’s customer service philosophy to include the assurance that all aircraft visiting the Sebring Flight Center are met and greeted upon arrival.
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