Meridian, the award-winning private aviation company, is pleased to again be recognized among the nation’s best Fixed Base Operators (FBO) in two of the industry’s leading surveys. In the Aviation International News (AIN) annual FBO survey, Meridian Teterboro was voted among the Top 5% of all FBOs in the Americas and was the only FBO from the Northeast region, which includes the NYC metro area, recognized in that category. Meridian’s West Coast FBO, Meridian Hayward, was ranked in the Top 10% for the first time, and was listed among the Top 3 FBOs in the San Francisco/Oakland area.
In the ProfessionalPilot (ProPilot) annual PRASE survey, Meridian was rated the #1 FBO at Teterboro Airport and ranked #13 among all US FBOs. Meridian was also voted the #7 Best Independent FBO in the country. Meridian is the only independently owned FBO at TEB, and has operated under the same family ownership since 1946.
Both surveys also recognize individual customer service performance, and Meridian is proud that several of our employees were honored. Victor Seda, Customer Service Manager at Meridian TEB, ranked #3 among the best Customers Service Representatives (CSR) in the ProPilot survey, while two other CSRs were acknowledged by AIN in the “Above and Beyond” category. Jenny Deitschman, Customer Service Supervisor at Meridian HWD, and Betsy Wines, VP of Customer Service at Meridian TEB, were both recognized for their dedication, commitment to excellence and always putting the customer first.
“Since Meridian Hayward opened its doors in 2016, our team has worked hard to provide the same level of outstanding service that customers have come to expect from Meridian,” said Carlos Rodriguez, Hayward’s General Manager. “We are honored that our customers appreciate our efforts and rate our FBO so highly.”
“It is rewarding that our continued commitment to be the best is recognized and appreciated by our customers,” said Steve Chandoha, Meridian President. “We are proud of our legacy of exceptional service and sincerely thank our customers for their support and confidence in us.”
Col. Arthur Martone accepts his induction into the New Jersey Aviation Hall of Fame.
On Monday, November 12, 2018, the Aviation Hall of Fame & Museum of New Jersey held its 45th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Dinner at the Fiesta Ballroom in Wood-Ridge, NJ. This tribute dinner honors local aviation pioneers and subsidizes the Hall of Fame and Museum, on Fred Wehran Drive in Teterboro, NJ. It is one of the museum’s biggest fund-raising events of the year.
Founded in 1972, the Aviation Hall of Fame & Museum of New Jersey preserves Garden State’s distinguished, two-century aviation and space heritage. Men and women, whose outstanding aeronautical achievements have brought worldwide recognition to the state, are inducted into the Hall of Fame every year. The Meridian team arrived in good spirits for this prodigious event.
Meridian is a proud supporter of the museum and attends the Hall of Fame induction dinner every year. Ken Forester Sr., who founded Meridian with Bob Hewitt back in 1946, was inducted in 2008. His son, Meridian CEO, Ken Forester Jr., was among those who attended the ceremony for the company.
This event recognized four individuals, connected to New Jersey, who have each contributed to advancing human flight.
Congratulations to all of the 2018 Aviation Hall of Fame Inductees!
You can read their bios below. Emil Buehler (1899-1983)
The Emil Buehler Trust was established in 1984 to perpetuate the memory of Emil Buehler and his commitment to aviation science and technology. Aviation visionary, architect and engineer. Emil Buehler was born 1899 in Alpirsbach, a small town in Germany. He first experienced flying at age 17 as a pilot in the World War I German navy. Following the war, he graduated from the University of Stuttgart with degrees in architecture and engineering – moving to America within the year to pursue his career. A pioneer in aeronautics as well as a designer of buildings, Mr. Buehler was actively involved in many of the significant aviation events that took place in New Jersey during the late 1920’s and early 1930’s. He operated his own school of aeronautics at New Jersey’s Teterboro Airport, ran a seaplane base on the Hudson River, and later designed and personally supervised the construction of an aviation facility at the Executive Airport in Fort Lauderdale. His aeronautic involvements also included funding the development of a wind tunnel with Mach 3 capability – allowing the testing of space vehicles in design configurations at speeds up to three times the speed of sound. The internationally-known Emil Buehler Mach 3 wind tunnel is located at Rutgers, the State of New Jersey university, which in 1974 conferred on Emil Buehler the title of Eminent Engineer. His legacy of philanthropic commitment extends to a number of leading educational institutions, including Bergen Community College. Mr. Buehler died in 1983. Linda Fritsche Castner (1947- )
Born and raised on Alexandria Field Airport, Linda Fritsche Castner’s legacy is as a pioneer in developing and implementing non-traditional outreach programs at public-use airports. She’s been a private pilot since she was 17 and is an Advanced Ground Instructor. Her company “Up, Up, and Away in Hunterdon, Inc.” provides innovative, aviation-themed content to participants as diverse as Pre-K students through corporate and academic professionals. Castner is a passionate advocate for the latent potential small airports have to become valued community assets for STEM education. Among Linda’s aviation accomplishments she is Co-Owner/Operator of Alexandria Field (N85), Master Aviation Educator (since 2015). The MAE is an achievement that few ever earn. She is a member of the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Association Board of Directors. Linda produced the Magic of Alexandria Balloon Festival for ten years (1989-1998) donating $210,000 to charities. She has written numerous articles and aviation program grants. The largest was in 2010 the Garrett A. Morgan Technology and Transportation Education program grant for a total of $150,000 for which she served as the Program Director. Huntley Lawrence (1963- )
Growing up in Queens, NY, next to LaGuardia Airport, Huntley developed a passion for aviation. As a young man, he attended an aviation program offered at Public School 127, and those early years were foundational in his lifelong passion for aviation. As a student at August Martin High School, Huntley selected a curriculum that provided him the opportunity to learn and excel in all aspects of aviation. His passion for aviation continued as a student at Florida Institute of Technology. He worked for the Port Authority as an intern while still in high school, and began his full-time career with the agency after his graduation from FIT. In the years that followed, Huntley held a variety of positions of increasing responsibility in airport operations at John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, and LaGuardia airports. Following 9/11, the Short Hills, NJ resident helped manage the transition at Newark Liberty from civilian security under the FAA to oversight by the newly created U.S. Transportation Security Administration. He became General Manager for New Jersey Airports in 2011, Deputy Director of Aviation in 2014, and Director of Aviation in January 2017. As Director, Huntley is responsible for managing one of the world’s largest airport systems, comprising JFK, Newark Liberty, LaGuardia, Teterboro, and New York Stewart International airports. The airport system serves tens of millions of passengers annually while supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs and generating billions of dollars in economic activity for the New York/New Jersey region. Colonel Arthur E. Martone (1923- )
Colonel Arthur E. Martone a life-long New Jersey resident, enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942 and completed his training in 1943 as a fighter pilot. The colonel flew 166 combat mission during WWII. Flying a P-40 on his 166th mission, ironically on June 6th, 1944, Arthur was shot down eighty-miles behind enemy lines in Monte Cristo, Italy. Bailing out, although injured he was found and kept alive by Italian Partisans until American troops retook the area. For his service, Colonel Martone was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged in November of 1945. In 1947, Colonel Martone joined the Air National Guard, the 119th Fighter Squadron flying P-47s. Arthur was recalled to active duty during the Korean Conflict. After the end of the Korean War, he assigned to the 141st Tactical Fighter Squadron, McGuire AFB flying F-84S; being recalled to active duty in 1961-1962 serving in France with the 141st Tactical Squadron flying 2,811 sorties. IN 1969, Arthur was promoted to Colonel. While at McGuire he served in many staff positions including eight-years as Director of Operations and Special Assistant to the Commander of the 108th Tactical Fighter Wing. In June of 1980, after serving with great distinction Colonel Martone retired. In 1986, he was honored with his name being placed on the F-84 he flew at a dedication aboard the USS Intrepid. In retirement, the Colonel was a member of the Monmouth Flying Club serving as Treasurer and President for ten years. He is still active as a speaker.
Meridian, the award-winning private aviation company, is pleased to announce that its West Coast fixed base operator (FBO), Meridian Hayward, was voted the Corporate Aircraft Association’s (CAA) Preferred FBO at Hayward Executive Airport (HWD) in Hayward, CA. CAA is a membership-based organization that is dedicated to enhancing the operating efficiencies of corporate flight departments. A “CAA Preferred” FBO represents a combination of good service and fair pricing for its members, serviced by the most highly qualified personnel and FBO management in the industry.
A CAA Preferred FBO must be voted into the program. In order to be eligible, it must receive at least 35 votes from participating CAA Fuel Program Members. If there are multiple FBOs at an airport, the one receiving the most votes is named the CAA Preferred FBO. The winner is then tendered a three-year, exclusive contract at its airport.
The voting period for HWD ran from October 1 – 7, 2018, and results were announced on Monday, October 8. Meridian Hayward General Manager, Carlos Rodriguez, was excited by the news: “The entire Meridian team is ecstatic over this designation because it will give us the opportunity to show loyal CAA members that we provide outstanding customer service at very competitive pricing. With both of our FBO locations CAA Preferred facilities, we can now fully serve our CAA customers on both coasts.”
Meridian Teterboro has been the CAA Preferred FBO at Teterboro Airport since 1996. The CAA Preferred FBO designation for Meridian Hayward will officially begin at HWD on November 1, 2018.
On July 19, 2018, the Hayward Police Department’s Special Response Unit had the opportunity, for the first time ever, to conduct training for helicopter rescue operations and marshalling at Meridian Hayward.
The HWD SRU musters for briefing, surrounding a California Highway Patrol A350 Eurocopter.
The unit was aided by a Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin Eurocopter, specially designed for rescue operations, and a CHP (California Highway Patrol) A350 Eurocopter.
Hayward SRU member being lowered from a USCG HH-65 Dolphin Eurocopter.
General Manager, Carlos Rodriguez, extended the invitation to return for any additional training the SRU may require: “It’s important to support the community and to give back, in any way we can, to those that protect it. We’re happy to have been able to help the Hayward Police Department and thank them for everything they do!”
A Hayward SRU Officer sets a CHP A350 Eurocopter down outside the Meridian Hayward hangar.
Meridian is excited to have been able to assist the Hayward Police Department train for such a vital task and hopes to continue supporting the local communities surrounding all of our FBOs.
Camden Forte (left) and Jackson Walsh (right) share a seat on one of Meridian’s private jets.
Meridian recently had two special visitors come to our Teterboro location to check out our facility and aircraft. Jackson Walsh and Camden Forte are not CEOs, bankers, attorneys, or aircraft brokers. They are simply two great kids that are facing battles that no child should have to endure.
At two weeks old, Jackson was diagnosed with neuroblastoma intermediate risk, stage 4. Neuroblastoma is a solid cancerous tumor that begins in the nerve cells outside the brain of infants and young children. For months his Fair Lawn family went through a battery of tests, biopsies, and four rounds of chemotherapy.
The community rallied around the Walsh family, and ‘A Go Fund Me’ page was set up. People brought the family meals and held fundraisers. He was declared cancer-free in January. Now Jackson’s parents have created the JacksonStrong Foundation to help other families facing the same challenges. Jackson’s father is Ryan Walsh, a former Meridian employee who used to work in the Detailing department.
Facing a similar challenge, Jackson’s friend Camden came into this world about 18 months ago, and immediately faced a battle against Cystic Fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time. Cam spent his first ten days in the hospital before he was able to go home for the first time.
Since that day, he has spent an additional 10 days in the hospital for IV antibiotics; he takes approximately 20 pills a day to digest his food, antacids twice a day, vitamins, has been on two different antibiotics orally to fight lung infections, and is currently taking six nebulizers that consist of three different types of medicines per day, and chest physical therapy three times a day. Cam’s parents, Thomas and Jacqueline, are taking on the battle against CF by creating TeamCam to support the fundraising efforts of the Great Strides campaign.
Meridian was happy to host these great kids and their families for a day. Jackson and Cam took a tour of Meridian, got to see the planes take off and land from the airport, and enjoyed some time in the cabin of one of our private jets.
If you would like to learn more about their stories or how you can help, please visit their Facebook pages: JacksonStrong – https://www.facebook.com/Jacksonstrong2015/?hc_ref=SEARCH Team Cam – https://www.facebook.com/TeamCam831/
The Walsh and Forte families in the Meridian hangar.
Meridian shows its support for the New Jersey Aviation Hall of Fame at the 43rd Annual Induction Dinner. The ceremony was held on September 27, 2016 at the Fiesta Ballroom in Wood-Ridge, NJ.
Wood-Ridge, NJ – On Tuesday, September 27, 2016, the Aviation Hall of Fame & Museum of New Jersey held its 43rd Annual Hall of Fame Induction Dinner at the Fiesta Ballroom in Wood-Ridge, NJ. This tribute dinner honors local aviation pioneers and financially supports the hall of fame and museum, located on Fred Wehran Drive in Teterboro, NJ. It is one of the museum’s biggest fund raising events of the year.
Founded in 1972, the Aviation Hall of Fame & Museum of New Jersey is dedicated to the preservation of the Garden State’s distinguished, two-century aviation and space heritage. Men and women whose outstanding aeronautical achievements have brought worldwide recognition to the state are enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Meridian is a proud supporter of the museum, and representatives of the company enjoy attending the induction dinner every year. Ken Forester, Sr., who founded Meridian with Bob Hewitt back in 1946, was himself inducted into the hall of fame in 2008. His son and Meridian CEO, Ken Forester, Jr., was among those who attended the ceremony for the company.
This event recognized three individuals who are connected to New Jersey and who have each uniquely contributed to the advancement of human flight.
The 2016 NJ Hall of Fame Inductees were: Robert J. Cenker (1948 – )
Born near Uniontown, Pennsylvania Mr. Cenker has lived in East Windsor for the last 40 years. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Aerospace Engineering from Penn State and a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Rutgers. He is an Associate Fellow in the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics, a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, belongs to the Association of Space Explorers, and is a registered Professional Engineer. He is also a member of the engineering honorary society, Tau Beta Pi, and the aerospace engineering society Sigma Gamma Tau.
After receiving his MS from Penn State in 1973, Cenker was employed at RCA’s Astro Electronics Division in East Windsor. There he worked on the new field of commercial communications satellites, returned to college at Rutgers for his MS in Electrical Engineering, and became a manager in 1980. He held management positions overseeing the design of several satellites, the last being the Satcom Ku program, for which he was the Manager of Systems Engineering.
It was from this position that Cenker was selected by RCA and NASA to fly as an astronaut on the space shuttle Columbia for the launch/deployment of the Satcom Ku1 spacecraft on Space Shuttle Mission 61-C in 1986. During this flight, Mr. Cenker traveled over 2 million miles in 96 orbits and spent 146 hours in space. Cenker left RCA in 1990 and has since been consulting with various firms in the areas of spacecraft design, assembly, flight operations, and micro-gravity research. Janine K. Iannarelli (1961 – )
Born in Fair Lawn, Iannarelli graduated from Montclair State University in 1983 earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with a major in Marketing and a minor in Psychology. Iannarelli joined Amstat Corporation in 1983 as an Account Executive/Market Researcher operating exclusively in the business aviation industry. In 1984, she joined Aerosmith/Penny, Inc., an international business aircraft dealer specializing corporate jet sales, where she became Vice President of Sales & Marketing. In 1997, Iannarelli founded Par Avion Ltd., an international jet brokerage and consultancy firm based in Houston with an office in Ridgewood, New Jersey.
With over 30 years of experience, Iannarelli is considered a pioneer among women in business aviation. She is a highly-regarded “industry icon” and business aviation advocate. Her extensive experience selling Dassault jets has earned her the nickname “The Falcon Lady.” The Fort Worth Business Press named Iannarelli a “Great Woman of Texas” in 2011. She appeared on the cover of the November/December 2013 issue of Aviation for Women Magazine. Iannarelli was named among four finalists for the 2015 Texas Business Woman of the Year Award by the Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Texas and a 2016 Woman on the Move by Texas Executive Women.
In 2014, Iannarelli was appointed to the Governor of Texas’s Aerospace and Aviation Advisory Committee and named presiding officer in 2016. She is a member of and volunteer with European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), and Women in Aviation, International. She supports charities that benefit children and animals. As a sought-after speaker and mentor to youth and women’s organizations, she often shares insights on career development, entrepreneurship, and perseverance. William McE. Miller, Jr. (1926 – )
A longtime resident of Princeton, Miller was born in Iran to missionary parents. His abiding passion for aviation began early in childhood. At 18 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and became a Naval Aviator during the immediate post-war period. Miller flew Grumman F-4U Corsair fighters off the carrier U.S.S. Kearsarge and from the Naval Air Station in Willow Grove, PA.
After earning a Masters at Princeton Theological Seminary he was employed in international Christian missions’ work, as well as projects involving Australian Aboriginal art until 1967 when he was asked to lead a start-up aviation technology company named Aereon. Aereon was well-known in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s for its efforts to develop a commercially viable “Aerobody,” a trail-blazing, cargo-carrying hybrid of the rigid airship and the airplane. In 1973 a book by New Yorker magazine writer John McPhee, “The Deltoid Pumpkinseed,” popularized the company’s efforts to test small-scale models of the aerobody and put it into series production as the “DYNAIRSHIP.”
While under Miller’s multi-decade leadership, Aereon successfully pursued Project Tiger, the construction and flight testing of a piloted prototype aerobody, the Aereon 26. The company also developed the WASP (Wide Aperture Surveillance Platform), and conducted DynASTOL contract research on a military version of the aerobody for the defense department. In the 21st century, several large defense contractors announced aerobody projects of their own thus vindicating Miller’s long time dedication to the concept.
One of his alma maters, McCallie School, gave Miller its 50 years Distinguished Service Award in 1994.
Meridian, the award-winning, full-service private aviation company based at Teterboro Airport, has been featured in a recent article about TEB, describing its rich history, and the longtime tenants that helped to keep it as one of the busiest General Aviation airports in the country. The article is printed in the September 2012 issue of Professional Pilot magazine, one of the industry’s leading publications. “TEB’s history and its tenants” tells the story of how the airport is a vital business driver to the New York metropolitan area, and describes the transportation hub’s first days, its impact on the local community, and ends with an outlook towards the future.
The article is authored by Ken Baylor, who is the lead dispatcher at The Flight Department USA, specializing in fractional ownership and charter aircraft consultation/operations. He has been working in corporate aviation for the past 10 years.
Meridian Teterboro will be exhbiting at the 63rd Annual NBAA Convention in Atlanta GA
Meridian Teterboro/ Meridian Air Charter/ Meridian Jet Center/ Meridian Aircraft Management will be represented at BOOTH # 7827
The Longest Continuously Operating Aviation Services Company in the New York Metropolitan Area
The business roots of Meridian originate in 1946 when company founder and former WWII test pilot, Ken Forester, Sr., began converting military transport aircraft for executive operation. Still privately owned and operated today, Meridian’s accumulated expertise is now focused on aircraft charter, aircraft management, jet maintenance and customer service.
Opened at Teterboro in 1958, Meridian has been one of the pioneers of private aviation in the New York market. In 2006 we opened the doors to our new terminal (FBO) and hangar, aligning our services, experience and passion for superior private aviation under one roof. For private jet charter, aircraft maintenance, aircraft management, and executive terminal services Meridian is the line by which all others are measured.
Meridian Air Charter Adds Greensboro, NC Based Challenger 601 3A – ER to Fleet of Charter Aircraft
TETERBORO, NJ, November 2, 2009– Meridian Air Charter, a private aviation services company, expanded their charter fleet aircraft with recent addition of a Challenger 601 3A- ER – extended range aircraft. The Challenger 601 3A- ER is large sized jet of comfort and productivity. The aircraft is based in Greensboro NC (GSO) and is available for charter.
“The Mid Atlantic region is an under supported charter market for quality cabin class jets; a charter friendly Challenger 601 based in Greensboro, NC should be a great success for us,” said Director of Charter Sales and Client Services, Andrew Ladouceur.“We are working with the owner on reduced position fees to make the plane very competitive in this charter market.”The Challenger 601 3A/ER is a cost efficient extended range business aircraft that offers great value and comfort and is aesthetically pleasing. The white exterior is accented with garnet, cobalt and navy striping. The welcoming cabin is furnished with smooth leather and soft fabric textures. The colors boast stately and nautical tones combining deep slate blue, brilliant white and foggy grey and a sandy toned carpet that softens the palette. Golden oak woodwork with inlay design is a natural, crisp compliment to the cabin’s décor. Travel with ease with the Challenger’s berthable seats and private lavatory with sink. The aircraft comfortably accommodates nine passengers and is equipped with a full galley. Travel time may be spent productively or relaxingly while lounging in the plush leather seats to view the flight via Airshow® or enjoy the DVD-CD player entertainment system in the main cabin.
Meridian is a full-service private aviation services, company headquartered in Teterboro, New Jersey for over 60 years. Still privately owned and operated since 1946, Meridian’s accumulated expertise offers a complete suite of professional aviation services: Meridian Teterboro-FBO Services
Meridian Jet Center-FAA authorized repair station
Meridian Air Charter
Meridian Aircraft Management
Meridian Jet Center Detailing
For more information on this or any other Jet in our fleet, visit www.nycjets.com, or call one of our travel professionals, 24 hours a day, at 1-800-882-2333
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Meridian, the award-winning private aviation company, is pleased to announce that its West Coast fixed base operator (FBO), Meridian Hayward, was voted the Corporate Aircraft Association’s (CAA) Preferred FBO at Hayward Executive Airport (HWD) in Hayward, CA. CAA is a membership-based organization that is dedicated to enhancing the operating efficiencies of corporate flight departments. A “CAA Preferred” FBO represents a combination of good service and fair pricing for its members, serviced by the most highly qualified personnel and FBO management in the industry.
