Airport lands honor from online publication

Warren County Memorial Airport was recently chosen as AVweb’s FBO (fixed base operator) of the Week for the week of Aug. 13, which was published in the AVwebflash electronic newsletter.

The airport was selected from hundreds of entries submitted by AVweb’s readers from around the country. AVweb is an award-winning news service with over 158,000 subscribers, most of whom are pilots or have an interest in aviation. The award recognizes facilities with outstanding FBO services.

Warren County’s airport was nominated by AVweb reader Jerry Trachtman, who said the facility’s staff went above and beyond. In his nomination, Trachtman explained why he felt the airport deserves recognition.

‘Traveling from my home base of Melbourne, Fla., to Oshkosh, I stopped for fuel at McMinnville, Tenn. (RNC), based upon availability of low-priced avgas, the lowest price within 100 miles. Due to thunderstorms I could not depart as planned and had to spend the night,’ Trachtman said. ‘Without hesitation, the FBO staff gave me their only crew car for the overnight, and pointed me in the right direction.’

But Tractman’s difficulties didn’t end with being grounded overnight by the weather.

‘My early departure the next morning was met with a top cowl latch on my Piper Lance popping open on takeoff roll,’ Trachtman said. ‘I aborted the takeoff and sought help with the FBO’s mechanic, who was at work early before any other staff had arrived. He repaired the latch, sent me on my way and refused compensation. This FBO demonstrated service above and beyond the call of duty.’

As an FBO of the Week, the airport received an official letter from AVweb along with a ribbon marking the award. Warren County Memorial Airport will also be added to a permanent list of entries on AVweb.com where a digital version of the ribbon is available to add to the airport’s Web site in the future.

Warren County Memorial Airport manager John Patterson says it is an honor to receive the recognition, which is really an acknowledgment of the dedication of the airport staff.

‘Basically a person that flew into our airport was so impressed with the service they contacted this Web-based publication, which they’re an avid reader of, and made us a part of this. Then we were selected by the site out of all the submissions to get the award for the week. We’re pretty honored to have that happen.’

Patterson says he gives much of the credit to the teamwork shown by everyone at the facility.

‘It’s one of those things where the airport does a good job and it shows,’ Patterson said. ‘The service structure that was put into place when I got here about a year ago is paying off. This came about under the leadership of the Airport Commission, which basically defined the future of the airport and decided which way it needs to go and how they’re going to get there. I should mention the mechanic was an employee of one of our tenants, Precision Aviation,’ Patterson added. ‘This was really a team effort.’

Patterson says customer service has always been a big part of the philosophy of everyone involved with the facility, from the staff to the Airport Commission.

‘I always tell everybody here once they get out of the airplane I don’t want them to have to think about anything,’ Patterson said. ‘If they’re going through a door, open it for them. If they want something to drink, point them in the right direction. If they need hotel service while they’re here in town, we’ll make the arrangements for them. Renting a car is the same way. I really try to keep it very service oriented at this level. We want these people well taken care of.’

Patterson says he feels that service, along with competitive fuel prices, has helped to increase traffic and make the airport more profitable.

‘The prices may get them here the first time,’ Patterson added, ‘but the service will keep them coming back.’