December General Aviation (and More!) Survey

By The Aero Experience Team

The Aero Experience looks back on the month of December in this General Aviation (and More!) Survey. Here we present a variety of aircraft types encountered during our visits to airports while covering stories from around the Midwest. We hope you enjoy this review of our aviation community!

In this edition, we feature aircraft from St. Louis Downtown Airport.

The Aero Experience YouTube Channel Celebrates Midwest Aviation: Video Playlist Sampler

 

Gateway Jets Opens New Hangar Facility at St. Louis Downtown Airport

By Carmelo Turdo

Gateway Jets, the St. Louis area's premier aircraft management company, has opened their new corporate hangar complex on the west side of St. Louis Downtown Airport. After many months of planning and construction, the hangar and apron will now serve as the base for Gateway Jets clients. The hangar can accommodate up to five Citation aircraft along with amenities to provide a first-class aircraft ownership and travel experience. 

The Aero Experience recently visited with Corey Tomczak, owner and President of Gateway Jets, to get a preview of the new hangar. Aircraft access is provided via a taxiway to the new adjoining apron, and a 100-foot long, bi-fold door allows easy movement in and out of the hangar for most corporate jet types. Gateway Jets clients will have a 10' x 10’ private entrance door from the street for secure indoor vehicle parking. Here we will give an overview of the main hangar space, showing the space available even with a Citation XL, Citation Mustang and Beech Baron parked inside. We will tour the crew and passenger service area soon when it is completely furnished with a flight operations center, conference room, kitchen, bathrooms, a shower, laundry and a lounge.   

In the video below, Tomczak elaborates on opening the new hangar and shows us the Citation XL, the largest jet currently managed by Gateway Jets. Courtesy services such as food stocks and professional detailing, as shown in the video, are included. Aircraft inspections and preventive maintenance are provided by industry leaders such as West Star Aviation. Other services offered by Gateway Jets include aircraft brokerage, flight crews and aircraft hangar rental.

Corey Tomczak started Gateway Jets in 2013 to provide personalized aircraft management services to the St. Louis market. Now the company is the largest of its kind in the metropolitan area. Gateway Jets specializes in the Cessna Citation series, a proven design that offers an efficient and effective aircraft model for each client's mission. 

Getting the best value from your aircraft, and also running your own business, is not always feasible. That is where Gateway Jets can help. Corey Tomczak and his staff can expertly guide new owners, upgrade clients through the acquisition process and manage the aircraft's operation, crewing, maintenance and regulatory compliance.

In many cases, an aircraft management company can turn a good business into a great business by providing direct, cost-effective air transportation to where the next big deal will be struck or to visit with regional site managers. Knowing that your aircraft is well maintained, stocked and crewed takes much of the stress away from using the aircraft as a great asset. St. Louis area aircraft owners can have that peace of mind when entrusting their aircraft to locally-based Gateway Jets. 

“Gateway Jets is a company designed to give the client the best experience of owning an aircraft at a reasonable cost," Tomczak told The Aero Experience. "Our business is to provide a mission-ready, safe, clean aircraft while looking out for our client's best interests. We take care of the whole operation so that they can just arrive and fly knowing that their aircraft is in good hands. Leave the fine details up to us. Your only job is to arrive and fly." 

Gateway Jets is ready to help with your aircraft acquisition, crewing, and operations management needs.  Contact Gateway Jets today and put your aviation assets in good hands!

Wings of Hope Recognizes Volunteers at Holiday Luncheon

By Carmelo Turdo

Wings of Hope hosted a holiday luncheon December 5 at their Spirit of St. Louis Airport World Headquarters. Wings of Hope Board members, staff, volunteers and their families gathered in the hangar for food and fellowship in a festive atmosphere. The annual event celebrates the work of the many volunteers who fulfill the Wings of Hope mission of "Changing and Saving Lives Though the Power of Aviation."

A great variety of delicious food was ready for the guests when they arrived. Wings of Hope President, Amy Cole Buehler, Board Vice Chairman Patrick Bowen, and Director of Administration Lena Pak greeted everyone as they gathered for the lunch buffet. They, along with Wings of Hope staff, served volunteers and their guests a delicious lunch with all the fixings and a large selection of desserts.     

Wings of Hope is a global humanitarian nonprofit organization serving those in need around the world for over sixty years. The mission of Wings of Hope is "Changing and Saving Lives Through the Power of Aviation." That mission is accomplished directly through Global Humanitarian Programs and the U.S. Medical Relief and Air Transport (MAT) program. The Aero Experience thanks Wings of Hope for all they have accomplished, and we encourage everyone to support their mission now and in the coming year.