After a few short months leading the Twin Commander and Metro/Merlin type certificate group for Ontic, one thing has become abundantly clear: Twin Commander owners and operators are a dedicated, enthusiastic, and engaged group, and so is the network that supports them.
The Twin Commander Factory Authorized Service Center Network is a collection of nine independently owned and operated MRO facilities that make it their mission to keep our fleet flying. Their mission is our mission, and the similarities of what these facilities do and Ontic’s business are vast. Which is why I was so excited to get a chance to finally see a few of them in person.
Last month I had the privilege of spending time at Legacy Aviation Services near Oklahoma City; Eagle Creek Aviation near Indianapolis; Aero Air in Portland, Oregon; National Flight in Toledo, Ohio; Byerly Aviation in Peoria, Illinois; and Winner Aviation in Youngstown, Ohio. I plan to visit the Naples Jet Center in Florida very soon. It was clear that the professionals who own, operate, and work at these businesses are dedicated to their craft, and are passionate about the airplane. Many of them have spent entire careers supporting Twin Commanders, and that experience and knowledge is a highly valued asset to our community.
I was also struck by how similar the conversations were at every facility. Even though each fills a niche and has different goals, plans, and business models, they are remarkably similar in terms of priorities for Twin Commanders. We had honest and constructive conversations that showed me how important these service centers are not only to their customers, but also to the Twin Commander factory in Creedmoor. The network is just that—a group of independent, but tightly connected businesses. I could tell they help each other, share information, and generally act like one big worldwide family.
There were dozens of important takeaways from the meetings, but a few things stood out as priorities. Most importantly is that we want to strengthen the network and do whatever we can to ensure its continued vibrancy. A strong network is good for the factory, good for their businesses, and good for pilots and owners. They are the factory’s technical representatives in the field, and that’s hugely beneficial to us all. I also came away convinced that parts availability and pricing is a key issue for owners, and it’s critical to keep costs low and parts flowing if we want to ensure a strong future.
I came away from the meetings feeling positive about our relationships, positive about the Factory Authorized Service Center Network, and hopeful for the future of our storied brand. With regular meetings in the future, I’m convinced we can continue to strengthen our bond, which will only lead to better parts availability and pricing, improved technical resource response times, and relevant and responsive future development. I recommend every owner and operator get their next service at a business within the network. I have no doubt you’ll come away from the experience impressed with their expertise, knowledge, responsiveness, and passion for strong and reliable service.
