Transaction Tombstones
Buyer Consolidates at Central Flying Service in Little Rock
Central Flying Service (LIT) was acquired by the buyer seeking to consolidate expanding sales of new and pre-owned aircraft and build on Central’s 60-year history as a full-service aviation service enterprise. In addition to Central’s solid reputation, the buyer was attracted by experienced operating and management teams, adequacy of existing facilities, and available space for expansion. Due diligence included assessment of Central’s Part 145 MRO and Part 135 & 141 flight operations including numerous owned aircraft. Departmentalized financial reporting and organized record-keeping simplified a detailed review and provided an efficient basis to determine closing terms.
Gulf Air Center (JKA) in Gulf Shores, AL
Gulf Air Center (JKA) in Gulf Shores, AL had a long history of servicing steadily growing numbers of general aviation and military aircraft. As the FBO expanded to accommodate demand, the local owners were also busy with other non-aviation businesses and decided to seek a buyer with aviation services expertise and a personal appreciation for the area. The Alabama-based buyer had recently exited his ownership of an FBO in the region where he had successfully worked with airport management to attract tenants and investment in the airport helping to grow demand for the FBO\\\\'s full range of aviation services. Negotiation between the buyer and Gulf Air Center owners was straightforward, aided by the buyer\\\\'s familiarity with the operation based on years of regular use of the FBO flying his own jet aircraft. The transaction closed cleanly with the blessing of the airport sponsor and a transition to World Fuels to supply the FBO.
Hawthorne Expands Westward to Sioux City
JetSun owners, with a 25-year history at Sioux City, IA, turned to ARGI to assess the market for a full-service FBO and buyers that would continue a focus on excellence in customer service. Hawthorne Global Aviation Services emerged from a large group of interested parties with an exciting vision for growing the business in step with airport staff and City plans. Hawthorne, teamed with New York-based NexPhase Capital, had locations in New York City, Chicago and Atlanta, but also successful operations in midsized cities similar to Sioux City. The unique blend of financial strength and management talent with local leadership and involvement in the community made Hawthorne a very solid choice for the sellers.
TAC Air establishes LIT location
TAC Air principals had energy-related interests in the Little Rock area and a long-standing desire to further develop
Business Jet Center divests OAK location
Business Jet Center at the Metropolitan Oakland Airport
Jet Aviation acquires Enterprise Jet Center (HOU)
The Small Business Administration (SBA) tasked ARGI to
TAC Air Acquires Southern Jet
Southern Jet had come to represent the very best of southern hospitality at Raleigh-Durham (RDU) in North Carolina. TAC Air is well-known for much the same approach to customer care, and made RDU it’s 12th location. ARGI advised TAC Air and arranged the transaction.
BBA Aviation Adds 4 Executive Beechcraft Locations
Topeka Aircraft, operating as well-known “Executive Beechcraft”, had become dominant in the growing Kansas City aviation services market and a leading service provider at the Spirit Airport just west of St. Louis. BBA Aviation moved aggressively to add the 4 locations, and continuing the full-service operations under the Executive Beechcraft banner. ARGI advised the sellers and arranged the transaction.
TAC Air adds Spirit of St. Louis
TAC Air was actively looking for an expansion onto a major
JetDirect Acquires JetCorp
Operating on the Spirit Airport (SUS) for many years, JetCorp had become nationally known as the leading FBO destination in the St. Louis area. Turbine operators from around the Midwest had also come to rely on JetCorp’s technical service capability in a newly- acquired maintenance facility. And locally, JetCorp’s “CharterShares” program dominated the market. Such robust combination of services was just what JetDirect was looking for as the operational base for a national “Structured Charter” offering. ARGI advised the sellers and arranged the transaction.
Sheltair Acquires Long Island Jet Center
Family-owned Long Island Jet Center (LIJC) operated favored FBOs at Farmingdale (FRG), Islip (ISP), and West
American Airports Acquires Rifton Aviation
American Airports Corporation (AAC) is one of the largest general aviation airport management companies in the United States. AAC develops and owns individual aviation facilities and fixed base operator (FBO) facilities. Early this year AAC purchased the business assets of Rifton Aviation, located on the Stuart Airport (SWF), just north of New York City, and are operating the FBO under the trade name of "Supermarine". ARGI acted as a financial advisor to Rifton Aviation and arranged this transaction.
TAC Air Acquires Knox Air
TAC Air, a subsidiary of Truman Arnold Companies, acquired the business assets of Knox Air, Inc. located on the Knoxville, TN airport (TYS). This Transaction marked the 11th location for TAC Air\\\\'s growing network, and was followed by the acquisition of Cherokee Aviation, also located at TYS. ARGI acted as a financial advisor to TAC Air and arranged this transaction.
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At any one time, ARGI is involved in several engagements that can span from closing on the sale of an aviation service business... to assisting an owner understand the value of his business... to developing a RFP for an airport to attract aviation service providers... and sometimes recruiting for a unique senior manager. These engagements usually span months, even years, as ARGI works in the background, quietly fulfilling an advisory role. Hence there is little to be publicly discussed until the end result, summarized to the public in a "Transaction Tombstone" that identifies the parties involved and the general role played by ARGI.
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