A father-and-son team from Greenwood has taken over fixed-base operation services
at the Columbus Municipal Airport.
Effective today, Jeff Air Pilot Services LLC will provide aviation fuel sales, hangar services for local and transient aircraft, cargo handling, aircraft rental and flight instruction for corporate and general aviation aircraft.
Rhoades Air Center, originally formed as Rhoades Aviation, has provided the services at the airport for the past 46 years.
Rhoades turned the services over to Jeff Air last week after the city’s Board of Aviation Commissioners gave lease approval.
Tom Jeffries, co-owner and operator of Jeff Air, said the new operators are looking forward to getting started. The company has been providing aircraft rental and instruction at the Greenwood Municipal Airport the past four years
This new venture offers an opportunity to expand and take that business model to the next level, he said.
“Service has been more than just a word in the company name. It has been the core of what we have done at Greenwood,” Jeffries said.
Jeff Air is already considering expanding services at the airport, Jeffries said.
The company hopes to expand its general maintenance capabilities to larger aircraft and to expand existing maintenance facilities, he said.
The company also is partnering with Ivy Tech Community College —
Columbus for the college’s new aviation program.
Rhoades Air Center was very helpful in tying up loose ends and transferring vendors to complete the transition, Jeffries said.
Tom and his son, David Jeffries, both have a wide background in aviation. Tom retired from Continental Airlines in 2005, and David is a current airline captain.
Brian Payne, airport director, said through preparing to offer flight instruction with Ivy Tech, the airport formed a relationship with Jeff Air.
The airport has been able to see the company’s capability, and it has been obvious that the two men are knowledgeable in the industry, Payne said.
Jeffries said the company’s goal to be “a contributing factor to the community and provide quality flight training and instruction and do everything we can to continue on the reputation of the Columbus airport.”
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Jeff Air Pilot Services LLC is an Indianapolis premier Fixed Base Operator and a Federal Aviation Administration approved flight school. It also has a rental fleet available for licensed pilots. It has been located at the Greenwood Municipal Airport and will be expanding its services to the Columbus Municipal Airport, effective today.
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