Great job to the folks of Okaloosa County and specifically, Okaloosa County Airport Director Greg Donovan. Greg has been very successful in keeping the Bob Sikes Airport in Crestview on the map with the assistance of the Okaloosa County Economic Development Council. Bob Sikes Airport continues to be on the mind of the aerospace industry as a place for growth.
New airport FBO putting Crestview on aviation map
2009-02-26 14:00:00
Brian Hughes Crestview News Bulletin
When Jonathan Dunn told the committee tasked with awarding Bob Sikes Airport’s new fixed base operator (FBO) contract, “Putting the customer first, that’s my motto,” he wasn’t blowing smoke. Pilots have already taken note of the new airport FBO’s high level of customer service and attention to detail, and have responded positively. “The maintenance is top-notch, and so is the customer service,” said pilot Robert Tanner’s Feb. 13 post on www.airnav.com, a Web site for pilots. “The fuel prices are much less than Destin. I heartily recommend CEW.”
(CEW is the FAA designation for Crestview Airport.) At the beginning of the year, Dunn’s company, Emerald Coast Aviation, took over FBO duties. Dunn, president and owner of Emerald Coast, is a bundle of energy with an engaging banter, a passion for service and a catchy English accent from his boyhood in London. Dunn loves airplanes and the people who fly them, fix them and maintain them. He has an eye for marketing to attract more general aviation traffic to Bob Sikes Airport’s refurbished terminal building. “He’s immediately advertising and starting to capture some of that ambient traffic,” observed county airports director Greg Donovan.
Hand in hand with attracting new traffic and supporting current customers is the $50,000-plus Emerald Coast Aviation has invested in refurbishing and furnishing the terminal building.
“In the days leading up to January 1, Jonathan gutted the fixed base operator offices and lounge,” Donovan said. “You wouldn’t even recognize it. He had dumpsters full of stuff. It’s pretty cool to see the progress he made in such a short amount of time.”
Read the full article in the Feb. 25 edition of the Crestview News Bulletin.
WHAT PILOTS SAY ABOUT CEW’S NEW FBO
Gathered from public comments on www.airnav.com
• “I…was very pleased by the prompt fuel service and the professionalism of the line staff. This is definitely a great place to stop and visit.” Christopher Cook, Jan. 8
• “These guys are true professionals and it's obvious that they love what they're doing. Oh, they don't rip your head off on fuel prices either.” Jim Cartwright, Jan. 13
• “Great FBO! Delivering a Musketeer from CA to FL stopped at Emerald Coast Aviation and was helped a lot. … They helped get us good motel rates, transportation service and they were happy doing it.” Robert Mohs, Feb. 9
• “The staff at Emerald Coast was very hospitable. They went above and beyond the call. We are very appreciative of their hospitality. Their acts of kindness were not unnoticed. We will recommend this FBO to anyone who is traveling in the area.” Todd Smith, Feb. 16
Saturday, March 7, 2009
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