KAVL Airport Director Appointed
Fletcher, NC, May 18, 2009 – This morning in a special meeting the Asheville Regional Airport Authority Board voted to appoint Lew Bleiweis, A.A.E., as Airport Director. Bleiweis has served as Deputy Airport Director since April 2008 overseeing the Administration, Finance, Public Safety, IT, and Operations Departments. “We are very pleased we have such a qualified person on staff whom the Board can promote into this primary leadership role,” says Authority Chairman Dave Hillier. “Lew’s knowledge and experience with other airports along with his outstanding work here in Asheville has demonstrated to this Board that he is a worthy successor to Dave Edwards.”
Bleiweis has more than twenty years experience in aviation with strong credentials in administration, properties, operations, and maintenance. His career includes positions with the Louisville Regional Airport Authority, Kansas City International Airport and Roanoke Regional Airport Authority. He is an Accredited Airport Executive by the American Association of Airport Executives and holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a concentration in Airport Management.
“I am thrilled to have this opportunity,” says Bleiweis, adding, “I look forward to continuing the good work Dave Edwards has begun here in our Western North Carolina community.”
Bleiweis will assume his new role as Airport Director beginning June 27, 2009.
Edwards’ last day with Asheville is June 26, 2009. Edwards will be joining Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) as their Executive Director. Edwards has served as Airport Director for AVL since November 2003.
Landmark Aviation Supports WNCPA
Landmark Aviation located at Asheville Regional Airport is offering all WNC Pilots Association members a 50 cent per gallon fuel discount. Stop by and visit Landmark Today!
With over 40 locations in the U.S., Canada and Western Europe, Landmark Aviation is one of the nation's largest FBO networks, with a continued commitment to growth.
Airplanes Direct - Buy. Sell. Connect.
Airplanes Direct brings buyers and sellers of aircraft and aviation products and services together in an advanced aviation marketplace.
They offer users interactive tools like video uploads, picture galleries, and instant messaging to sell airplanes more efficiently. To make it simple for the new aviator, the site employs automatic "Decoders" which convert complicated aviation jargon into simple, clear English.
www.airplanesdirect.com - Enter Promo Code TRY50 and receive 50% off a Basic or Ultimate Listing. Offer expires: May 31, 2009KAVL Receives $7.5 Million in Stimulus Funding
The Asheville Regional Airport Authority has received $7.5 million in economic recovery funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The funding was distributed by the Federal Aviation Administration under the direction of U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. Allocated funds will be used to improve the terminal at Asheville Regional Airport.
The project is slated for bid in May, awarding of contract in June, with construction beginning in July. Renovations are expected to be completed by Spring 2011.
Quick Facts
Over 48% of all licensed civilian pilots hold instrument ratings; 41% hold Commercial or Airline Transport Pilot certification. In 1999, the FAA estimates, there were 640,113 civilian pilots in the U.S., including 102,000 student pilots, 343 Recreational pilots, 258,749 Private(*) pilots, 124,261 Commercial pilots and 137,642 Airline Transport Pilots. There were an estimated 26,500 helicopter pilots, 19,800 glider pilots, 79,000 flight instructors, 308,951 instrument-rated pilots, and 16,374 pilots holding other ratings.
Two thirds of all General Aviation flight hours involve business, commercial, instructional, and public service operations. In a typical year, General Aviation's 35 million flights account for 76% of all departures, 58% of all hours flown, and 33% of air miles flown annually in the U.S.
About 95% of the active civil aircraft in the United States are General Aviation aircraft. Just 4% are airliners.
Of an estimated total civilian fleet of about 215,000 aircraft, more than 200,000 are General Aviation aircraft.
General Aviation is Safe
While highway accidents account for 94% of all transportation fatalities, General Aviation is involved in less than 1%.
To put aviation safety in another context, here are the odds:
Undergo an IRS audit this year 1 in 100
Be killed in an automobile accident 1 in 125
Be a victim of violence in the suburbs 1 in 2,000
Develop a brain tumor 1 in 25,000
Be killed in a fire this year 1 in 40,000
Be hit by a baseball at a MLB game 1 in 300,000
Win a state lottery jackpot 1 in 4 million
Be killed in an airplane accident 1 in 4.6 million
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
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