ANN ARBOR, Mich. / November 4, 2021 / AVIATION NEWS – As Carver Aero’s FBO network expanded, so did Avfuel Corporation’s.
Carver Aero recently selected Avfuel as its branded fuel supply partner for its two new FBOs in Janesville, Wisc. (KJVL), and Chicago/Aurora, Ill. (KARR). The agreement extends the partnership between the companies as Avfuel also provides branded fuel supply services to Carver Aero’s Iowa locations: Council Bluffs (KCBF), Davenport (KDVN) and Muscatine (KMUT).
“Avfuel is proud to partner with Carver Aero’s customer-focused team and is honored to raise its sign at each of Carver Aero’s premier FBO locations,” said Joel Hirst, Avfuel’s senior vice president of sales. “The addition of Janesville and Aurora to the Avfuel Network provides exceptional service options in key Midwestern locations for Avfuel’s flight department customers.”
The acquisitions marked Carver Aero’s first expansion outside of Iowa, fulfilling its business strategy to support communities throughout the Midwest.
“Our goal is to bring back the wonder of personal aviation—from piloting aircraft to providing living wage careers in maintenance, avionics and line services in small towns throughout the Midwest,” said Guy Lieser, CEO of Carver Aero. “We strive to make the municipal airport relevant to the communities in which we operate because many people are unaware that these are their airfields and they can accommodate the business and personal needs of everyday people.”
Carver Aero acquired Janesville Jet Center at the Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport in July. The acquisition included the 2,725-square-foot FBO terminal, featuring a pilot’s lounge, dining area, an A/V-equipped conference room able to seat eight around the table (and more via chairs around the room), Wi-Fi and a flight planning room. In addition, a 7,700-square-foot adjoining hangar able to accommodate up to a Lear 60 or Citation XL was included in the acquisition.
In August, Carver Aero announced its acquisition of Lumanair Aviation Services, one of two on-field FBOs at Illinois’ Aurora Municipal Airport. The acquisition included a two-story, 30,000-square-foot FBO terminal building, which in addition to FBO operations includes a flight school, two office suites, 20 offices, a line service office and three break rooms. The FBO portion of the building includes passenger and pilot lounges, three conference rooms with full A/V and table seating for eight (with additional seating around the room), a flight-planning area and crew cars.
In addition, Carver Aero has six hangars on the airfield ranging in size from 6,400 square feet to 39,000 square feet, housing a further 15 offices, conference rooms and a sport pilot training school. With the hangars, Carver Aero is able to accommodate aircraft up to a Gulfstream IV.
Along with full FBO services and flight training, the operation offers business and personal charter, maintenance/avionics and an FAA Part 145 repair shop. As Avfuel-branded locations, Carver Aero provides customers with lucrative rewards with AVTRIP and competitive prices with Avfuel Contract Fuel at each FBO. In addition to contract fuel, customers benefit from transaction ease when using the Avfuel Pro Card at the FBOs with the ability to put everything—fuel and non-fuel items with or without a fuel purchase—on one transaction, avoiding processing fees.