Shell Aviation - Global Leads the Way in Oregon
A deal struck with a company that runs a luxury FBO has given
Shell Aviation an impressive presence in the American North
West.
Global Aviation, a private air transportation company based
in Hillsboro, Oregon, became the first member in the state
of Shell Aviation's network of FBOs earlier this year.
The company's President Flo Newton said: "There was a
long period of negotiations with Shell Aviation, but they
really showed that they wanted to work with us and they had
the best offer."
Brian Lockhart, Head of Maintenance, said the company needed
a brand association with a fuel provider. "Shell Aviation
guaranteed us a reliable supply of fuel, and the Shell Group
has one of the best-known corporate logos in the world."
The company charters aircraft for a range of private and corporate
clients and offers the full range of FBO services. It has
three hangars that house 20 aircraft, including three Global
Express, a Lear 45 and a Hawker 800. All operate with two
pilots, as well as a flight attendant on larger planes. If
the appropriate aircraft is not available, the company will
provide a quote for a comparable aircraft using another pre-approved
operator.
As Global Aviation is sited in the heart of the ‘silicon
forest', surrounded by computer companies, such as Intel nearby,
it has a ready-made category of clientele in the form of the
many business-people who fly in and out of Hillsboro to visit
these organisations. It also recently became the authorised
supplier of services to aircraft manufacturer Bombardier for
three of its aircraft.
Mike Walker, who is in charge of Marketing and Development
with Global Aviation, said: "Our FBO operation really
is top class. We are an excellent competitive alternative
to Portland International Airport in Oregon."
Lynn Weyerhaeuser, Customer Service Manager with Eastern Aviation
Fuels, Shell Aviation's national marketer partner in the US,
said Eastern Aviation Fuels was expanding its business from
the eastern half of the country, where it has been trading
for 30 years.
"Since we linked with Shell Aviation we have started
expanding into the west, so it is great to get Global Aviation
on board. This will give us the impetus to approach other
FBOs in Oregon and also in Washington."
Lynn added: "I was knocked out by Global's FBO facility!
It is gorgeous – like going on a spa vacation. Everything
was first-class and luxurious."
Flo's hands-on attitude
It could never be said of Flo Newton that she would ask anyone
to do anything she would not do herself. Although she heads
Global Aviation, she is still very much involved in the day-to-day
charter business and has even been known to crew flights.
"It's hard to break away from it all," explained
Flo, who founded the company in 1995. She had been running
Louisiana-Pacific (L-P) Corp, the eponymous timber giant's
corporate aviation department, since 1981, but it closed down
its charter operation. This prompted Flo to decide to work
from her home in South West Portland, starting up Global Aviation
as an independent broker which would book flights for former
L-P clients on private jets owned by other companies. She
subsequently acquired a hangar from L-P at Hillsboro Airport,
and a second was opened in 2001.
This hangar has a suite of offices, including a boardroom,
which is as impressive as the multi-million dollar interiors
of Flo's aircraft. For example, she commissioned American
glass artist Dale Chihuly to design a unique chandelier for
the glass-domed entrance hall.
Global offers fuel and aviation support for its own aircraft
and others travelling through the area, as well as crew services
or supplemental crew services. "If someone has a Learjet
and their pilot is off ill, we can provide a pilot,"
she said.
Her hands-on attitude extends to answering the office phone
when necessary and she tries to remain involved to some extent
with all aspects of the business. Her peers and competitors
sing her praises and she has been described as "very
good at dealing with high-level executives – she understands
their needs and requirements".
Article
from Shell Aviation - The Blue eNewsletter
