Duncan Aviation is pleased to announce it has moved its Teterboro, New Jersey, Satellite into hangar space provided by long-time Teterboro Airport (TEB) Fixed Base Operator (FBO) Meridian. Duncan Aviation and Meridian will offer complementary services for their mutual customers: Duncan Aviation will continue to provide avionics repair and installation services and has added some airframe-specific services, as well. Meridian will continue to offer the FBO services they have proudly and safely offered for the last 70 years.
For the past year, Duncan Aviation and Meridian have been in discussions, as both companies wanted to continue offering airframe services on the field. Over the last several months, Duncan Aviation has added equipment and staff and gained FAA certification for its new facility and new airframe-specific services.
As a demonstration of the goodwill between the two companies and the continuity of the airframe services offered at TEB, Duncan Aviation hired former Meridian Airframe Technician Michael Kotosky to head its airframe team.
“Mike came to me and said he’d like to help build our airframe shop,” says Manager of the Duncan Aviation Teterboro Satellite Jeff Glanville, “and we feel fortunate to have him. With his expertise, we’re building this from scratch. We’ve been approved by the FAA for airframe work, and our Ops-Specs now reflect that.”
Kotosky really enjoyed working for Meridian, and he’s especially pleased with the new relationship forged by the two companies. Although he’s worked on the same field as Glanville and his team for the last three years, he was nonetheless taken aback by all Duncan Aviation has to offer customers.
“I knew about Duncan Aviation’s avionics abilities, but until I visited the full-service Duncan Aviation facility in Lincoln, Nebraska, I had no idea all of the products and services Duncan Aviation has to offer its customers,” says Kotosky. “I am amazed and grateful for the support I’m receiving from everyone throughout Duncan Aviation, and I’m especially excited for our airframe potential here in Teterboro.”
After attending Stratford School for Aviation Maintenance Technicians in Stratford, Connecticut, and earning his A&P licenses, Kotosky worked at Bombardier’s Hartford Service Center for four years, and then joined the team at Meridian.
Since 1992, Duncan Aviation has provided avionics support at Teterboro, but the team would have to send customers elsewhere for airframe services
“I believe adding airframe services, such as small inspections, Chapter 12 services (oxygen, tire, strut, and fluid services), brakes, and squawk work, among others, is a great convenience for our customers. Combined with the FBO services Meridian offers, we’re now a one-stop shop,” says Glanville. “Less than 40 minutes away, we have our Duncan Aviation team at Morristown, and they can provide full battery support, and we have our Rapid Response Team (RRT) located in Wilmington, Delaware, so they can come here and provide engine support for our customers who need it.”
Kotosky adds, “In the near future, we intend to add equipment and technicians and continue to grow our airframe services for our customers. We have a 1500-hour inspection scheduled on a Global, and the Duncan Aviation RRT will be here to do the engine work. As an added convenience for our customers, billing for Duncan Aviation’s services will go through Meridian, so there will be only one bill to contend with.”
“As our colleagues at Duncan Aviation noted, having them located at our facility will be a great benefit for customers,” said Meridian President Steve Chandoha. “Duncan Aviation’s commitment to excellence mirrors Meridian’s, so we’re very pleased at the additional capabilities we will be able to offer customers.”
Manager of Duncan Aviation’s Satellite Operations Matt Nelson says this new relationship with Meridian will allow both companies to do what they do best as they serve customers in the area.
“Our relationship with Meridian allows both of us to build on our brands and continue to create a strong, local presence,” says Nelson.
Category: Maintenance
Jet Linx, the leading private jet management and jet card membership company in the United States, continued its strategic expansion in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut tri-state region by acquiring Meridian’s Aircraft Management and Air Charter business. Meridian is a full-service private aviation company headquartered at Teterboro Airport. While the terms of the transaction were not disclosed, the acquisition encompasses a fleet of 23 long range and short range private jet aircraft including Bombardier Global Express 6000 and 5000s, Gulfstream G550s, GVs, G450s, GIVSPs, Dassault Falcon 7Xs and 2000s, and Embraer Phenom 300s, among others. Upon closing the transaction, Jet Linx will become the largest private jet management and jet card membership company in the tri-state region and the second-largest aircraft management company in the United States with over 120 aircraft and 19 locations nationwide (FAA Part 135).
“This acquisition is a significant step in our strategic plan as we continue to enhance our fleet and flight operations serving the New York tri-state area and further develop the Company as the leader in private jet travel. It could also not be better timed as it follows the grand opening of our flagship private terminal at Teterboro Airport last September,” said Jamie Walker, President & CEO of Jet Linx Aviation. “It is an honor to have purchased Meridian Aircraft Management and Air Charter, one of the most admired, respected and trusted operators in the private jet industry. Like Jet Linx, Meridian is a family-owned business, and it will be our commitment and our privilege to continue their legacy of excellence, safety and service. This exemplifies and underscores our unwavering commitment to provide the highest standards of excellence and the finest service experience not only to our clients in the New York tri-state area, but nationwide, as Teterboro is the busiest private aviation airport in the U.S.”
With heritage that dates back to 1946 at Teterboro Airport, Meridian is a full-service Fixed Base Operator (FBO) renowned for its enduring reputation for providing the New York metropolitan area with private aircraft fueling, hangaring, maintenance, management and charter services. Meridian has earned numerous industry awards and accolades over the years for its FBO services. As the longest continuously operating private aviation services company in the New York metropolitan area, Meridian will continue operating its FBO and aircraft maintenance businesses at Teterboro Airport and Hayward Executive Airport in California.
“Jet Linx aligns perfectly with Meridian’s values, culture and commitment to safety, and we could not be happier to have partnered with Jet Linx to purchase our aircraft management and charter business,” said Ken Forester, Owner & CEO of Meridian. “It was important for us to find the right company who would be able to take our existing aircraft management and charter business to the next level, and Jet Linx was the obvious choice. We are excited to continue supporting Jet Linx, and our former aircraft management and charter customers, through our FBO and aircraft maintenance businesses going forward.”
Jet Linx has become the leading private jet management and Jet Card company in the United States due to its unique and innovative business model. The company offers a far more personalized approach to guaranteed private jet travel solutions through individual, city specific, local operations. Jet Linx is committed to the highest and most stringent safety standards in the private aviation industry, and to the managed, strategic and sustained growth in private jet aircraft, jet card members and locations across the country.
2019 was a year of unprecedented achievement for Jet Linx; it established six new private base terminal locations across the country, and forged two groundbreaking and unprecedented partnerships – one with Forbes Travel Guide and the other with Southwest Airlines and CAE. The collaboration with Forbes Travel Guide – the world renowned and only independent, global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants and spas – made Jet Linx the “Official Private Aviation Company” of Forbes Travel Guide as well as the first and only company in private aviation to establish and implement Forbes Travel Guide’s preeminent and unparalleled standards of service excellence. Jet Linx also collaborated with Forbes Travel Guide in the creation of customized, proprietary Jet Linx standards of service excellence for private aviation. Jet Linx joined forces with Southwest Airlines and CAE to create a groundbreaking pilot cadet program which provides a unique career pathway and lifecycle solution for pilots, facilitating entry into the aviation industry and providing opportunities for pilots to elevate and extend their careers. The company also acquired Elliott Aviation’s Aircraft Management & Charter business in Minneapolis, and following the purchase of Meridian Aircraft Management and Air Charter, the Company intends to make additional acquisitions of other respected and established private jet management companies as an integral part of its growth strategy and continued expansion across the United States.
On Friday, July 12, Meridian hosted a cookout in appreciation of all of its employees. The barbecue was held in three shifts so that everyone had the opportunity to enjoy the food and festivities.
The barbecue featured all the traditional fare: burgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, as well as potato salad, chips and other side dishes. Meridian CEO Ken Forester was present for every shift to ensure that he could personally thank everyone for their hard work. The company went as far as having two cakes so that each shift had the chance to enjoy a slice.
With almost 200 attendees, the day was a tremendous success. “It’s a great opportunity for everyone to take some time to relax and enjoy the day with their coworkers,” said Steve Chandoha, President of Meridian Teterboro. “This event gets better with every year, and we look forward to hosting it again next year.”
On Wednesday, March 27, Meridian celebrated the storied and accomplished career of Joe Corrado, the Crew Chief and Base Manager of N601AD, a 1994 Bombardier Challenger 601. This aircraft has the distinct honor of being Meridian Air Charter’s most frequently chartered aircraft. Here are some of the record-breaking statistics:
- Aircraft Type: Challenger 601 (S/N 5186)
- Tenure with Meridian: March 2009 – March 2019
- Hours Flown: 6,375
- Flight Legs: 3,599
- Passengers Carried: 12,762
- Miles Flown: 2,950,975
Joe started his career with Meridian in March 2009 and has played a major role in the upkeep and maintenance of this aircraft. His efforts and long hours allowed this Challenger 601 to fly for 6,375 hours, carrying 12,762 passengers for almost 3,000,000 miles! Meridian celebrated at a local restaurant and had a few parting gifts for Joe, including a plaque with the milestones, and a framed picture of the aircraft. We thank him for his many years of exceptional devotion and expertise and wish him well in his retirement.
On Tuesday, March 19, Meridian hosted students from the North Bergen High School STEM Academy, a preparatory school for students pursuing careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.
Students learned about the many facets of business aviation and FBO operations, and the various factors involved to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Many students were surprised to learn how much was involved in business aviation. Our VP of Jet Maintenance, John Langshultz, gave an overview of jet maintenance and spoke about how diverse our jet mechanics’ skillset must be in order to keep a jet flying.
The students were also given a tour of our Teterboro FBO and met with our CEO, Ken Forester. The Academy told us that they thought very highly of the tour and felt the trip to Teterboro was among their most exciting. We hope that we’ve sparked an interest in the Business Aviation industry, and hope to see them again in the future!
On Monday, October 29, Meridian Jet Center was proud to support the 30th Annual Ed Furst Sr. Memorial Scholarship Golf Outing, which was held at the beautiful Crystal Springs Golf Club in Hamburg, NJ. Meridian was a proud hole sponsor, while also sending a foursome of golfers to represent the company. The event drew 112 golfers and included a 4-person scramble, lunch, dinner, and an awards reception following the tournament.
The golf outing traditionally follows the first Teterboro PAMA meeting of the season, which was held the previous evening at Graycliff Restaurant in Moonachie, NJ. The Meridian team included John Langschultz (VP of Maintenance), Bob Kennedy, (Jet Center Sales), Brian Fee and Gino DiMartino, Account Manager with Aerotek Aviation. While the foursome did not win the tournament, they did take home the award for “Most Honest Team,” which the Meridian Maintenance Department considers a better outcome than victory.
Meridian has been a longtime sponsor from the very beginning, 30 years ago. John Langschultz has been on the golf committee for the entire 30 years. The PAMA golf outing was renamed after Ed Furst, Sr. passed away suddenly in 2001. Today, his son, Ed Furst, Jr. organizes the event each year.
The annual golf outing is hosted by the Teterboro Chapter of the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association and provides educational opportunities to students attending the Teterboro School of Aeronautics in conjunction with FlightSafety. According to chapter President Ed Furst Jr., “The PAMA chapter has had a long-standing relationship with the school. Every student benefits from the latest donation by PAMA and FlightSafety. The chapter is leasing FlightSafety’s popular Principles of Troubleshooting training program for the school for a three-year period. Each year we would donate scholarship funds to one or two students – but our board members were looking for something that would benefit the whole student body.” Teterboro PAMA and FL Aviation based in Morristown, NJ, had established the scholarship in memory of Tom Geiger, former Director of Maintenance at FL Aviation. The golf outing helps to raise the funds needed to keep the program going.
John Langschultz says, “We are proud to participate in this event because it positively impacts all of the students. Since these young men and women are the future of our industry, we all benefit in the long run. It’s really a great cause.”
Meridian, the award-winning private aviation company, is pleased to announce the opening of a new, state-of-the-art hangar at its New Jersey-based headquarters in Teterboro Airport. Construction on ‘Hangar 12’, as it is commonly known, is now complete and the structure is fully operational.
The new building replaces the original Hangar 12, which was demolished in the summer of 2016. This modern facility includes a 40,000 sq. ft. hangar and a two-story support building, effectively doubling the size of the previous facility. The first floor includes tenant office space as well as a comfortable customer reception area. The second floor is primarily reserved for charter support, including maintenance, quality assurance, and in-flight services. The hangar will serve as a maintenance facility, as well as provide parking accommodations for both managed and transient aircraft.
“The new Hangar 12 enhances Meridian’s footprint at TEB and gives us more space and flexibility for maintenance and allows us to hangar additional aircraft,” said Steve Chandoha, President of Meridian Teterboro. “As we continue to grow and as traffic increases in the busy Northeast corridor, this expansion will help us continue to serve our customers and meet their needs.”
In addition to Hangar 12, Meridian’s complex at Teterboro includes its headquarters facility, which features a 40,000 sq. ft. hangar and a 30,000 sq. ft. Executive Terminal, and another 22,000 sq. ft. hangar with additional office and support space at the south end of the airport.
The new Hangar 12 is designed to handle a variety of large-cabin aircraft, including the Gulfstream G650 and Global 6000. The facility features larger hangar doors for easy access and other features that will enhance service and support capabilities for Meridian customers.
On Monday, July 16, Meridian Air Charter received the NBAA Commercial Business Flying Safety Award for 27 years of flight safety and 142,729 hours of accident-free flight. The National Business Aviation Association’s Commercial Business Flying Safety Award tracks years (from January 1 to December 31), and hours of flight time and is cross-referenced with the FAA. Meridian’s high safety standards have contributed to a stellar safety record for almost 30 years and is in good company with a short list of reputable companies that have managed to operate safely for over 25 years. The official rules and requirements for the award can be found at NBAA’s Flying Safety Awards page.
Meridian’s safety standard ranks among the highest in the industry. In addition to our own internal evaluation program, we also regularly undergo rigorous third-party audits conducted by the industry’s leading vendor and international industry auditing associations. Meridian is one of only 135 operators worldwide to hold the ARG/US Platinum rating, the highest level awarded. We are also IS-BAO Stage 2 Certified and IATA TCO Approved. We maintain the Wyvern Wingman Certification, which fewer than 100 operators currently hold worldwide.
Congratulations to the entire Meridian Air Charter team!
Meridian Jet Center is pleased to announce that it has acquired an all-new towbarless, electric aircraft tractor known as the LEKTRO AP89 Series. The innovative tug has more Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) certifications and a wider range of capability than any other in its class. In fact, the AP89 is certified to handle every major regional and narrow-bodied airliner out there. This state-of-the-art tractor has changed the way ground crews all over the world handle aircraft. The addition of such a towing vehicle will only add more efficiency, safety, and reliability to our already trusted line service team.
Nehemias Camacho, Line Service Manager, is pleased with the addition of the new tug, “With Teterboro’s limited real estate, stacking the hangars efficiently and safe as possible is a must. These units can safely maneuver in such way that a conventional tow vehicle will not”.
Meridian will be utilizing the LEKTRO for many years to come in our most recently built Hangar 12. It will be vital in continuing to provide the highest level of safety and security for our clients.
To learn more about the LEKTRO AP89 Series go to, http://www.lektro.com/series/ap89-series/
Meridian would like to extend its appreciation to the 8 line servicemen who volunteered to help relocate crates and boxes of new furniture and other items for Hangar 12 last Saturday. With the elevator not yet in service, deliveries for the second floor were left on the first floor, including filing cabinets, chairs, desks, and other office furniture. Due to the motivation and diligence of these employees, they were able to move all of the items, and were able to help us stay on target with the opening date in late April. We appreciate their extra efforts for going above and beyond!
