December News

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

From the desk of the President
St.Charles Flying Service Inc.

It is December, and we are less than 30 days from 2012 which marks my 38th year at the helm of St. Charles Flying Service Inc. Our industry has changed and continues to change with the passing of each new year. I pride myself in being able to provide a place for folks like you to come to experience the thrill of flight and the many aspects associated with becoming the professional pilots our nation needs to continue to have the world’s finest air transportation system.  In addition, we provide a place for the average man or woman to experience flying as a source of fun, adventure and challenge right here in the Metro St. Louis area. My hope is that you all recognize the challenges our industry faces on a daily basis and you work to support your local FBO’s and keep them viable in these trying economic times.
I love what I do and will do all in my power to continue to serve the St. Louis Aviation community by providing the many services associated with the operation of an FAA approved flight school and Fixed Base Operation.
Thank you all for your patronage and both me and my staff wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

CHANGES HERE AT ST.CHARLES FLYING SERVICE

Dave Pressy has resigned his position as Chief Flight Instructor here at St. Charles Flying Service, and although he intends to continue to instruct here on a part time basis, he probably won’t start that position until after the first of the year. Right now Dave is trying to find a flying job here in the area, or maybe going in a different career direction and just keeping his hand in flight instruction on a part time basis. We wish Dave well in whatever direction he decides to go.

As you may remember it has been only four months since we had announced the hiring of a new Maintenance Manager. After those four months we have come to the conclusion that we have to go in a different direction, so Tyler Grose has once again accepted the responsibility of being our Maintenance Manager and Inspector and will be the contact should you need any maintenance on your aircraft.  During my thirty eight year tenure here at St.Charles Flying Service we have had the following Inspectors as Maintenance Manager;  Delmar Blodgett 74/76, Larry Anderson 76/77 , Delmar Blodgett 77/87 , Pat McKarski 87/89, Pat McInturff 89/93 , Robert Stegman 93/97 , Kent Lischer 97/03 , Jeremy McInturff 03/09, Paul Settle 09/10 and Tyler Grose . Some of these guys have retired, several are still working in general aviation some are working for airlines, and some have passed on to the maintenance shop in the sky.

This business has changed over the past years but we have always been able to weather the apparent storms and continue to provide our customers the needed service’s to handle their aviation needs. With your help, and the help of all those who work here at St.Charles Flying Service we will continue to push on from this point as well.

FACEBOOK SPECIALS:     If you get this news letter you also have access to our Facebook page where we run some really good coupon specials on a weekly basis.  These specials change weekly and we try and make them applicable to those who take instruction, rent airplanes, purchase pilot supplies,  buy fuel,or have us do  maintenance to their airplanes.   Look for these coupons each Monday throughout the next three months and clip them and Save.

HANGAR PROGRESS AT KSET:     The concrete has been poured and the new entrance has been installed by the new hangars here at Smart Field. It looks like the hangars will be up and operational in early Spring 2012, so if you are looking for a good airport to store your airplane call Tracy Smith at 636 250 3200 and get your name on the list for a hangar.  We offer in and out service, along with a full line maintenance facility and flight school all right here in the metropolis of Portage Des Sioux.
FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS NEEDED:     We are looking for both part and full time flight instructors. We are in need of a full time instructor with a Multi engine and instrument instructor rating. We pay a good wage, offer varied flight opportunities, and offer a major medical hospitalization program provided at no cost to the employee. If you know of someone who fits the bill, have them call and ask for Nick or Dennis at 636-946-6066.

INTEREST IN LEARNING TO FLY:     We recently did a Groupon Promotion to try and get people who had an interest in learning to fly to come out to the airport and see what is involved. Although the program isn’t cheap to administer, the results of the promotion were very encouraging to those of us in the flight training business. Believe it or not, in one three day period they sold 1038 introductory flight lesson coupons, which tells me that people are still interested in our industry and learning to fly.

ST. LOUIS METRO TRAFFIC:    For those of you who rely on local radio for AM and PM drive time reports you may be interested to know that the fly boys and girls who are flying those local reporters around the highways and byways of St. Louis are our fly boys and girls. With that in mind, anyone holding a commercial license with more than 300 hours who has an interest in working with us feel free to give a call to Nick Loftus at 636-946-6066. We have been doing this for the Clear Channel folks for the past year and I must say our staff does a commendable job in providing both pilots and aircraft to keep our traffic on the move in the Metro St. Louis area.

Well that is about it for this issue of our letter, we will have another letter out the first part of January with additional 2012 Specials in it, so please accept my sincerest wish for you and your family to have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in 2012.

Dennis Bampton