Category: Uncategorized

White-sand beaches, crystal-clear ocean waves, and breezes off the Gulf of Mexico—that’s Gulf Shores, Alabama, host of the final 2018 AOPA Fly-In. An AOPA Fly-In is an exciting event with amazing aircraft, stimulating seminars, and interesting speakers—and with a fantastic setting like Gulf Shores, this fly-in is worth the trip. We’ve saved the best for last. Join AOPA October 26 and 27 in a beautiful beach town sure to delight your senses—and challenge you to expand your aviation horizons.

Bordered on one side by Pensacola, Florida, famous for its renown naval air station, the towns of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are popular summer vacation spots that continue to beckon beachgoers even in the fall. That’s because the average temperature is still around 75 degrees Fahrenheit and the water temperature is the same!

Jack Edwards National Airport (JKA) is located just two miles from the center of Gulf Shores. Originally a reliever field for Naval Air Station Pensacola, it was called Canal Field. The city bought it in 1977 and renamed it for U.S. Rep. Jack Edwards, who was instrumental in the city’s purchase. A new terminal was added in 1998 and the main runway, 9/27, was expanded to its current 6,962-foot length. Runway 17/35 is 3,596 feet long. It is the second busiest airport in Alabama, averaging approximately 228 operations each day.

Three full-service FBOs serve JKA: Gulf Air Center, Salt Air Aviation, and Platinum Air Center. Each is unique. Gulf Air is managed by Shawnda Henderson, at 28 one of the youngest general managers in aviation. Salt Air is the newest and its high-style facility is beautiful. Platinum Air Center is a member of the Paragon Aviation Group. All three FBOs will help with the AOPA Fly-In.

Two days of aviation events such as seminars, exhibits, and meetings are complemented by great food, good people, and camaraderie at an AOPA Fly-In. If you haven’t been to one before, this AOPA Fly-In will be a winner—blue skies, warm temps, and low humidity. The AOPA Fly-In begins Friday with all-day seminars (registration and fee required) on topics ranging from weather to mountain flying. Each all-day seminar features an expert in the field sharing his or her knowledge, along with a hands-on opportunity to increase the learning experience. Friday afternoon, the exhibitors open and invite everyone for a happy hour, and Friday night is the much-anticipated Barnstormers Party. Saturday dawns with a pancake breakfast, aircraft displays, various free seminars, and much more. The day concludes with AOPA President Mark Baker’s Town Hall meeting and ice cream social.

2018 AOPA FLY-INS

June 15 and 16 Missoula, Montana (MSO)
September 14 and 15 Santa Fe, New Mexico (SAF)
October 5 and 6 Carbondale, Illinois (MDH)
October 26 and 27 Gulf Shores, Alabama (JKA)

By Julie Summers Walker

Gulf Shores, Ala. – Resicum International LLC, a government services business focused on providing support to the Federal government in aviation, information, and maritime services, announced plans to relocate its headquarters and begin construction on a new hangar facility at Jack Edwards National Airport in Gulf Shores. The new 21,000-square-foot hangar is scheduled to open its doors summer of 2019, bringing 18 new aerospace jobs and more than $1.1 million in annual payroll to Baldwin County during its first two years of operations.

Resicum International is a DCMA-I 8210 Certified aviation training and maintenance provider and one of few companies approved by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to maintain their aircraft and provide training using DOD assets at the contractor owned facility. With operations on three continents and a wide range of maintenance and training services, Resicum International’s global reach has earned a reputation of quality and commitment in the aerospace industry.

“Resicum International is committed to bringing excellent aerospace services and well-paying technical jobs to Baldwin County and the Gulf Coast, for both our commercial and government services clients,” said Robert Baird, managing director. “We intend to invest in the area for the long term and grow our aviation and government business here. To that end, we have already invested in infrastructure, equipment, people and processes to ensure that we always deliver safety in flight for all our clients, no matter how small. We look forward to continuing our investment and growing over time in the region.”

In addition to federal government work, Resicum International provides commercial, state and local government services for Part 145 Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Services, and Part 61 Flight School Services through AeroPro, the company’s civil aviation unit. Resicum has applied for a Part 141 certification which is pending with the FAA. Additional services, such as non-scheduled charter and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle support for both government and commercial customers will come on line by the end of 2018. Together, both business units account for approximately $7 million in sales in 2017, with sales projections over $8 million in 2018, with steady growth projections thereafter.

“We are excited to welcome Resicum International to Gulf Shores. Their investment in our community and Jack Edwards National Airport will benefit the entire region by bringing new, high paying jobs to our area,” said Mayor Robert Craft. “Expanding and diversifying our local economy is one of the critical objectives of Vision 2025. The addition of Resicum International represents a tremendous step toward achieving this goal.”

“This was the result the Airport Authority was striving for when we pursued funding and developed the over $5 million Horak Complex investment, which was just completed last year,” stated Scott Fuller, director of Jack Edwards National Airport. “Resicum International’s operation will have a significant positive impact in growing non-tourism, specialized jobs for Baldwin County, and all parties involved in this acquisition need to be commended.”

Lee Lawson, president and CEO of the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance, said this announcement is another example of the continued momentum in the region’s aerospace cluster. Home to more than thirty aerospace companies and a regional workforce of over 500,000, South Alabama continues to be the premier destination for aerospace investment. For two years in a row, SmartAsset has ranked Baldwin County No. 1 in the state of Alabama for incoming business investment, and Emsi, a leading labor market analytics firm, recently ranked Baldwin County No. 1 in the state for workforce talent attraction.

“Resicum International’s decision to relocate its headquarters in Gulf Shores further showcases Baldwin County as a premier destination for businesses looking to expand in the southeast,” stated Chris Elliott, Baldwin County Commission representative for economic development. “As a growing hub for aerospace, we are excited to welcome Resicum International’s new MRO operation to Baldwin County and the City of Gulf Shores.”

Resicum International will start up operations in August in an existing hangar facility at Jack Edwards National Airport, as construction begins on the new facility later this year.

Gulf Shores, Alabama, January 9, 2017:  Mr. Vic Roberts, Chairman of the Airport Authority of the City Gulf Shores recently presented the City of Gulf Shores as a belated Christmas gift, a dry chemical and foam first response ARFF unit for airport use, capable of meeting Index “A” requirements to comply with Part 139 operation (commercial air service).

Scott Fuller, Airport Manager explained that “the City fire department does a remarkable job of providing equipment, trained and current personnel for airport emergency situations. However, to accommodate air carrier operations we have had to borrow or lease a dry chemical unit in order to meet the minimum equipment requirements for air carrier operations.”  “Acquisition of this unit will eliminate this ongoing challenge to dealing with our non-scheduled air charters by large aircraft, and provide for the airport to obtain full time Part 139 status.”

Mr. Fuller also stated that “surprisingly, it has now become easier and more expedient for the airport to obtain permanent certification, than the process to obtain temporary approvals of the past.”

Auburn University and the City of Gulf Shores are moving forward with plans to build an educational complex in Gulf Shores, Alabama, that will serve as both an academic outpost for Auburn and a resource for Gulf Coast residents.

A number of Auburn’s academic programs are expected to operate out of the new 24,000square-foot building which will be located at the corner of the Beach Express and County Road 8, adjacent to land acquired by the City of Gulf Shores for a new high school and the planned Coastal Alabama Center for Educational Excellence.

The centerpiece of the Auburn Education Complex will be a referral center for the College of Veterinary Medicine. It will serve as an extension of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Auburn to provide specialty veterinary services and related education opportunities in South Alabama and the surrounding region.

Calvin Johnson, dean of the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, said its Veterinary Teaching Hospital has engaged South Alabama and the Gulf Coast region for many years with specialty veterinary services and continuing education for veterinarians.

“We see this as an opportunity to more efficiently serve regional veterinarians and advance animal health while providing an expanded educational experience for our students and residents,” he said. By having a base of operations in Gulf Shores, Auburn can enhance its student engagement in veterinary clinical education and laboratory training in disciplines unique to Alabama’s Gulf Coast, such as marine mammal medicine, aquatic animal pathology, zoological and wildlife medicine and emergency response.

“We appreciate the opportunity to engage in Auburn University’s educational initiative in Baldwin County and to better serve the veterinary community along the Gulf Coast,” added Johnson. “We look forward to being a good academic neighbor for the proposed Coastal Alabama Center for Education Excellence and a strong community partner for the City of Gulf Shores.”

The Coastal Alabama Center for Educational Excellence is part of a strategic plan, “Small Town, Big Beach Vision 2025 for Sustainability,” adopted by Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft and the Gulf Shores City Council in 2014. With education as a top priority, Gulf Shores plans to establish the Coastal Alabama Center for Educational Excellence to promote access to higher education. The academic campus will feature a new high school and a new location for Faulkner State Community College, and will encourage affiliations with four-year universities.

“We are honored that Auburn University has decided to invest in Gulf Shores and are thrilled to welcome them as a significant partner in education and the future of our community,” said Craft. “This announcement is a major step forward in making the Coastal Alabama Center for Educational Excellence a reality and advances our mission to enhance the educational opportunities and services available to our residents.”

Additional Auburn programs expected to use the facility include:

• College of Agriculture – ongoing teaching and research activities related to marine fisheries and aquaculture and ornamental horticulture
• Auburn Aviation Center – non-credit training courses such as Unmanned Aircraft Systems certificate; specialty courses such as mapping/surveying, precision agriculture and public safety; and K-12 outreach through the Striped Wings student ambassador program and camps for various grade levels
• Office of Research and Economic Development – coordinating research in additive manufacturing and training highly skilled technical personnel heavily focused for aerospace and providing collaboration opportunities with selected research institutions, community colleges, Airbus and its suppliers, GE Aviation and other manufacturers in the Gulf Coast region

Alabama Cooperative Extension System – plant diagnostic laboratory to support the local commercial market and homeowners, master gardener’s resource office and various 4-H activities and extension meetings for area residents

“The Gulf Shores complex supports Auburn University’s mission of serving as an academic and economic resource to Alabama,” said Auburn University Provost Tim Boosinger. “We are excited to expand our reach to another part of the state and increase our capacity to better serve the citizens of South Alabama.”

The Auburn University Board of Trustees agreed at its September meeting to authorize President Jay Gogue to execute a lease agreement with the Gulf Shores Public Education Finance Authority, who will purchase the property in Gulf Shores, build a structure and lease it to Auburn for the university’s needs.

Gulf Shores, Alabama, January 25, 2017:   Jack Edwards National Airport was recently presented with the 2017 Silver Award for airport projects in the Reliever General Aviation category by the American Concrete Paving Association (ACPA).

The project was the construction of a new seven acre commercial heavy aircraft concrete apron to serve the growing demands for commercial charters and air service to Coastal Alabama, serving the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach resorts area.  Coastal Alabama provides over one third of the tourism economic impact to the entire state of Alabama.

Airport Manager Scott Fuller stated “with the process used, it was truly a remarkable operation to witness with the concrete pouring operation itself taking only ten days.”  Mr. Fuller credited the award to the efforts of the airport engineer, Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Canon, and the contractor, A. G. Peltz, who also received awards and were recognized for their contributions.

Multiple projects cited

Gulf Shores, Alabama, November 4, 2015:  Mayor Robert Craft, and the City Council of Gulf Shores recognized the Gulf Shores Airport Authority for “considerable accomplishments“ at their regular meeting held Monday, September 28, 2015.   Mayor Craft cited “reaching its goal of self-sufficiency, new private developments, resolving land use issues” as “some of the reasons this Board needs to be recognized.”

Projects referenced included a new heavy aircraft parking apron and new private developments totaling over $11,000,000 in new construction.  Vic Roberts, Chairman of the Airport Authority, responded that “the Authority could not have accomplished these deeds without the support of the City”.  Airport Manager Scott Fuller stated that the Platinum Air Center and Gulf Air Center projects represent the type of operations we can partner with to transition the airport from a historically resort destination to more of an economic generator for the Gulf Shores, Orange Beach area.   Platinum is constructing a 26,000 square Hangar/Terminal adjacent to the new aircraft apron.  Gulf Air Center is constructing a new 32,000 Hangar/Office and a new T-Hangar facility adjacent to its current operations.

Fuller also stated that by transferring property to the City which could not be developed for aviation use, we were able to create a seed fund for construction of the new airport control tower.  Also underway is the design of an on airport aircraft rescue and firefighting station, currently in progress.

Congressman Bradley Byrne and invited guests will be taking part in a groundbreaking ceremony for the new facilities at the airport on November 20, 2015.

Gulf Shores, Alabama, June 16, 2016:  The Gulf Shores Airport Authority welcomed a new full service FBO, Salt Air Aviation Center, to Jack Edwards National Airport at a Coastal Alabama Chamber Ribbon cutting ceremony held on Thursday June 9, 2016.

From their 19,000 sq. ft. facility in the Business Aviation Park, Salt Air Aviation Center provides a full range of FBO service including fuel, ground handling, and rental aircraft.

SAAC is a Part 61 & Part 141 Flight School with an affiliation agreement with Liberty University, which provides students with the opportunity to earn their Bachelor’s degree, complete all their ratings and move into a guaranteed position as a pilot in 2 ½ years’ time.

Salt Air also provides a full range of maintenance services and is an IRMT Rotax Maintenance Center under Lockwood Aviation. Through several partnerships and distributorships, Salt Air represents a broad range of aircraft available for Sale or Lease.

Co-owners Jim and Vince Boothe, both 4^th generation, Baldwin County natives, who also own and Operate Salt Air’s sister company, Flight Training of Mobile at Mobile Downtown Airport, commented on the positive reception and relationships they experienced in deciding to expand their operation to the  Coastal Alabama area, as well as the airport facilities available. “We are very excited about the opportunity and privilege of working to grow our local aviation community and bring its existing members together. Gulf Shores & Southern Baldwin County is a beautiful place to visit, live & fly!”, said Mr. V. Boothe.

Scott Fuller, Airport Manager remarked on the addition of Salt Air as fulfilling the Chamber’s and Authority’s goal to increase airport utilization and assuring first class services are provided on the airport.

For further information contact: Salt Air Aviation Center 1-251-948-0444 or ARINC 122.77