during each step of the acquisition and aircraft manage- ment process,” he stated. “Any owner, operator, or audi- tor is welcome at Summit Aviation anytime. We are an open book with every number laid out. All statements are backed up with actual receipts given to aircraft own- ers. As a result, we get a lot of repeat business.” Summit Aviation also has a reputation for commu- nity involvement. Five years ago, it founded Big Sky Kids Cancer Survivor Flight Camp, which provides cancer survivors with a four-day aviation experience. The camp is run as a joint effort of Summit Aviation employees, who donate their time, and aircraft owners, who make their airplanes available. Both Yellowstone Jet Center and Arlin’s Aircraft Service donate fuel. “The airport community opens its doors to the campers, who are pri- marily young adults,” said Walton. “They take ground school and flight lessons that culminate in them perform- ing unassisted takeoffs and landings and performing an epic cross country over Yellowstone National Park.” Along with that, Summit Aviation makes it a point to have a presence at high school career fairs and trade shows. “We make a tremendous effort to get people interested in aviation at a young age—and to let people know that we are here, and provide a viable program,” Walton remarked. With the airlines taking every pilot as soon as they reach ATP minimums, Summit has seen, firsthand, the struggle to maintain pilots in business aviation. “If we can train pilots for business aviation, and show them there are other ave- nues besides the airlines, then we need to focus on that,” said Walton. “It doesn’t matter if you own your own aircraft or manage an aircraft or charter an aircraft, we all need pilots to fly them and that is something we can help with. This is why working with NATA has become so important for us.” To ensure the mission is accomplished, Ryan Waguespack, Summit Aviation’s Vice-President-Business Development, serves as Vice-Chair of the NATA Air Charter Committee, and chairs the Workforce Development committee, as well. Looking ahead, Walton sees Summit Aviation’s future as one of controlled growth. “It’s not about numbers. It never has been, and it never will be. I want to grow with the right people, owners and aircraft. If it’s right for them and it’s right for Summit, then it’s the right number.” Aviation Business Journal | 1st Quarter 2018 47
