145 Magazine Vol. 6 Issue 3, June Issue

T H E

W A I T

I S

O V E R ,

O U R

M O B I L E

A P P

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N O W

ONE FORTY FIVE MAGAZINE

BY WWW.THE145.COM

06 Interview

With Connie Schaeffer

AVIATION HISTORY THE BIRTH OF SPACE SHUTTLE PROGRAM

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145 GOES MOBILE NAME

THAT AIRPORT

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N JU 19ON 20EDITI

THE145

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M A G A Z I N E

06

38

12

SYSTEMS

SAFE FUEL

24

20

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AVIATION

NAME

THAT AIRPORT

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WOMEN IN

FOR A GOOD CAUSE -2

HISTORY

RUNNING

AVIATION

Contents

AEROSTAR

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MAGAZINE

June Issue

THE145.COM

W E

A R E

T H E

M R O

E X P E R T S

06-11

30-35

12-15

36-37

Aviation History

2019 Top Shops

16-17

38-39

20-23

42-43

Running For a Good Cause

Women in Aviation

Featured Selection

D A T A

The145 Goes Mobile

Name that Airport?

Campaigning Tips

Safe Fuel Systems

24-27 Aerostar

Part

2

Running For a Good

Cause

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THE

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A DREAM BECOMES A GOAL WHEN ACTION IS TAKEN TOWARD ITS ACHIEVEMENT.

EDITOR’S

NOTE

Discover So, sit back and enjoy a trip through aviation as we share some

ASHLEY FOX

stories from around the industry that are definitely noteworthy. And, of course, have a wonderful June.

Magaz in e ed itor

Well, the MRO Americas is behind us and as we head into summer it’s time to enjoy warm weather and longer days. It’s a time when kids are home from school and people are alive with the everyday hustle and bustle, enjoying sports, picnics, and trips to the pool. It’s also a time for trips, with airplanes buzzing across the world.

This month we wanted to highlight our Top Shop winners and what has happened since the MRO Americas. We have an article on ACPC President Connie Schaeffer along with a follow-up article to our “Running for a Good Cause” article last issue. Also, there is an article on some new options in the works here at The 145.

Time To Make The Magic Happen JUNE-2019

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WOMEN IN AVIATION With an industry that has been historically comprised of men, we wanted to take an opportunity to highlight some of the women in aviation that work hard day in and day out. These trailblazers have helped pave the way for the influx of women we see in this industry, setting a standard for future generations.

Connie Schaeffer It seems only fitting to start with Connie Schaeffer, who has

PRESIDENT AND COO

worked tirelessly as the President and COO of the Air Carriers

Air Carriers Purchasing Conference

Purchasing Conference (ACPC) for the past 10 years. On September 30th of this year she will retire from her position, riding off into the sunset. We sat down with Connie to try and distill a lifetime of experience into an article.

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THE145 HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR THE ACPC? MORE IMPORTANTLY, HOW DID YOU GET TO THIS POSITION?

CONNIE: I previously worked at Aviation Sales in Miami as the Manager of the IT Information Center. I was responsible for developing and executing the IT training programs for all employees in Sales, Purchasing, Repair, Accounting and Operations in addition to the testing of all new programs and modules.

I left that

company to open Connie’s Main Street Bridals in Miami Lakes, Florida, where

I was interviewed and hired by Jeff

Patrick and I have worked together for

Stabile in late 1994 who was the ACPC

twenty-five years and together we have

Chairman that year. Initially my duties

made improvements every year to the

included general management of the

ACPC systems. Over the years, the Air

ACPC, membership liaison and the

Carriers Purchasing Conference has

development of an IT system.

soared to incredible heights, selling out

I immediately hired Patrick Miller,

every year, to become the most

St. Clare and Associates, to program a

productive aviation conference

computer system based on my design

worldwide.

input.

In 2009 the Board of Directors appointed

I put my organizational and customer

me to the position of President and COO.

service skills to work and also planned various shows and events in the community.

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THE145 HOW HAVE YOU SEEN WOMEN’S ROLE IN AVIATION CHANGE OVER THE YEARS?

CONNIE Early ACPC committees were comprised of primarily men and over

Most men in the industry will lovingly say that they have “avia-

the years evolved to an equal mix of professional men and women

tion in their blood” and women in aviation definitely concur. I

who have served as function coordinators and also on the Board

have had the honor of working with the most experienced and

of Directors. Women working in every aspect of aviation have in-

respected professionals in aviation.

creased exponentially over the past two decades and they now hold vital and important positions in nearly every major aviation company and airline in addition to aviation companies owned by women.

THE145 WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO WOMEN IN AVIATION JUST GETTING STARTED?

CONNIE My advice to anyone, not only women, would be to adopt my favorite

Listening to every suggestion is very important, however, be sure to

mantra of “you can fix anything”. The result may not be exactly what

take time to consider each one thoroughly in order to make the best

you had envisioned, but with focus and perseverance it will all be

decisions to ensure that it passes the ACPC mission statement of a

perfected in a way that works best for all concerned.

“fair and level environment for all”.

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THE145 WHO’S TAKING YOUR PLACE AS PRESIDENT OF THE ACPC? CONNIE — I am very proud of my contribution to the Air Carriers Purchasing Conference. It is extremely important to me to leave the ACPC in the best possible hands and I truly believe that Karen Cantor Riggi is that person. Karen has 13 years experience in positions beginning as a volunteer to serving as the 2017 ACPC Chair. She has been training with me for the past year. She’s a perfect fit, has great organizational skills and is very personal.

THE145 IS THERE A PART OF YOU THAT IS GOING TO MISS WORKING FOR THE ACPC?

CONNIE This is going to sound really lofty, but I want you to understand

Those individuals and those companies become prosperous. People

where my heart is. I believe that the ACPC was my life destiny,

get better pay and they are able to provide for their families, send

because what I do exponentially affects so many people worldwide.

their kids to college and exponentially that all goes out into the world

I am the foothold to put together an event every year that brings the

for the greater good. That’s how I view what I’ve done.

aviation community together to do business and by doing business, they become prosperous.

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THE145 WHAT’S NEXT?

—

CONNIE

First is to take a “summer vacation” since this was never an option with the ACPC always being the busiest during those months.

My husband, David Schaeffer

and I have planned some trips and we are looking ahead to enjoying quality fun time. I look forward to spending time with my son Richard, daughter CaryAnn and my beloved granddaughter, Emily, and my son-in-law, Jeff.

THE145 WHAT IS GUARDIAN AD LITEM?

CONNIE: It’s a program that is basically the voice for a child in court. They go around and investigate these cases of abused and abandoned children and interview all the people concerned like friends, family, neighbors and then they write a report and testify in court to the judge recommendations as to where the child should be placed.

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I am on the Executive Committee of one of the major political parties in Palm Beach County, Florida and I hope that my efforts will assist to bring positive change. I also plan to volunteer in the local Guardian ad Litem program.

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THE145 GOES MOBILE

THE145

After hundreds of design submissions, text

IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND TALK TO

revisions and months of beta testing, we’ve

YOURSELF IN HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE,

developed an app that’s super powerful and easy-to-use

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOURSELF?

—

CONNIE

I would tell my younger self to take time each day to meditate, to stay in the moment and enjoy what is unfolding before you, that everything really does work out for the best and some of your most difficult times will teach you the greatest lessons. I think what happens, at least for me when I was younger and working and having a family and being a wife and a mother and a friend and all the things that we all are, and looking back on life, I had so many balls in the air that I was never in the moment.

Justin Spaulding

I was always looking for what was the next thing I had to do, and I wasn’t really enjoying that moment and what was really unfolding in front of me.

PRESIDENT AND CEO THE 145 (Full Story Page-39)

THE145 ANY FINAL THOUGHTS AS YOU VENTURE OFF ON THE NEXT STAGE OF YOUR LIFE?

CONNIE: I would like to thank everyone who has assisted me in my ACPC journey. I have met the most wonderful people on the planet and formed life-long relationships. It was always my goal to make everyone at the ACPC feel welcome. I hope those who volunteered on the twenty-five ACPC committees that I served will think of me fondly and remember that I did my best to treat everyone as a I would a member of my family.

My sincere hope is that the ACPC continues to soar and evolve for many years in the future.

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Aviation History

E N T E R P R I S E : T H E B I RT H O F T H E S PA C E S H U T T L E On September 17, 1976, Enterprise was rolled out of Palmdale, California. Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and most of the principal cast of the original series of Star Trek were on hand at the dedication ceremony.

Enterprise’s main function was to perform atmospheric test flights after being launched from a modified Boeing 747. It was constructed without engines or a functional heat shield, making it incapable of spaceflight.

Enterprise was built as a test model with the goal being that after the successful completion of the Space Shuttle Columbia, Enterprise would be refit and become the second shuttle. However, it became obvious during construction of Columbia that it would be cheaper and easier to build Challenger differently than to refit Enterprise.

On January 31, 1977, Enterprise was taken by road to Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base in California, to begin oper-

This June marks the 45th anniversary of the birth of the Space Shuttle age. After six trips to the moon and back, a new era of space exploration was about to burst upon the scene, melding rockets with aircraft. Originally called the Space Transportation System (STS), the space shuttles were designed to be a reusable spacecraft for studying low Earth orbit.

In 1972, the contract for the space shuttle was given to North American Rockwell (later part of

Hundreds of thousands of letters arrived at the White House asking President Ford to name the Shuttle after the fictitious starship U.S.S. Enterprise. President Ford stated he was “partial to the name” Enterprise and asked NASA officials

ational testing. The Shuttle would be flown up to selected altitudes on the back of a specially fitted 747 and then released so it could glide back to Earth, with the maiden “glide” happening on August 12, 1977.

to change the name. And thus, the Enterprise was born. This was one of the first examples where a very vocal group got their way in naming something. One need only look as far as Boaty McBoatface to see that vocal group naming continues today.

AVIATION

HISTORY

Boeing). After 2 years of preparations, on June

SPECIAL

4th, 1974, assembly began in Downey, California.

The plan was to call the space shuttle Constitution and unveil it on Constitution Day, September 17, 1976, that is, until masses of Star Trek fans began a letter writing campaign to then-U.S. President Gerald Ford as well as other government agencies.

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The results of the tests clearly demonstrated that a foam impact of the type Columbia sustained could seriously breach the protective reinforced carbon-carbon (RCC) panels on the wing leading edge.

In December 2011 Enterprise was moved again and became the property of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City, where it resides today.

Enterprise is a reminder to us of where we used to be and how far we have come. It is a reminder of our unconquerable desire to explore the unknown, and to “boldly go where no one has gone before.�

Since it was designed as a test model,

With the birth of the Space Shuttle Age,

Enterprise would land on Earth as a deadstick,

Enterprise was put to the side allowing its

meaning it would not be powered, but the

flashier siblings to take center stage. It took up

pilots would guide it to the surface using turns

residence in 1985 at the Smithsonian

and computer guidance. It was important to

Institution. However, in 2003 after the

get the landing right the first time as there was

Columbia disaster, Enterprise once again

no easy way to turn around and make a second

entered the spotlight as its wings were

attempt.

removed to simulate the leading edge of the Columbia. Foam blocks similar in size, mass, and speed to those thought to have damaged Columbia were fired at the wing leading edge with damage being measured

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You asked for it, so we built it.

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APP AVAILABLE FOR ANDROID & IOS

The145 Goes Mobile D

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It is 2019, and people practically live on their smartphones. We work, shop, socialize, listen to music, and do lots of other stuff from the convenience of our phones. That’s why almost every website nowadays has a mobile app to use while on the go. So it’s no surprise that for some time now many of the customers that use The 145 website have been asking us to develop a mobile app.

You asked for it, so we built it.

Why Customers Love it

After hundreds of design submissions, text revisions and months of

Customers of repair services love how easy it is to search for a repair

beta testing, we’ve developed an app that’s super powerful and

capability and then generate RFQs. Besides being able to easily search

easy-to-use. The interface incorporates:

and find repair sources, the app offers nearly all of the same data available on The 145 website, namely: Industry Average Pricing

• Harmonic and cozy design

Information, TAT, Aircraft Applicability, OEM, RFQ Inbox with an archive

• Intuitive interface

of all quotes previously received, Sort and Filter options, etc.

• Optimal selection of colors that are easy on the eyes • Minimal number of steps to perform a task or query

Why Shops Love it Whether you’re on the road, or just away from your desk, the app makes responding to RFQs a breeze. Review RFQs, Send Quotes, populate the pricing fields with a click by using previous quotes and TATs, insert customized pricing and TAT information, attach notes and more. Want to delete an RFQ? Simply swipe right to delete. It’s super simple and super user friendly.

Download It Today Simply visit the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to download the latest version of the app. It’s free to download and only requires your username and password to begin using it.

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2019 TOP SHOP WINNER

SAFE FUEL SYSTEMS B E S T

F U E L

S Y S T E M S

A N D

F U E L

A C C E S S O R I E S

R E PA I R

The company, started by husband-wife team Rafi Fuentes and Ann

The thing under our control, which is quality; we are definitely the

Justiz back in 2001, has enjoyed continued success despite ups and downs

experts. Within our company we have designated accounts, but

along the way. Along the way Safe Fuel Systems has grown and improved

everyone here is one big team and everybody wants the greater

and developed a company culture of quality. Justiz noted, “Quality is our

good and that makes the customer happy.”

strength. We started with fuel as our main niche and we expanded off into hydraulics, power gen and pneumatics. Our idea of company strength is the combination of the people and the culture and the employees and doing what’s right the first time. Our customers hold us up as a standard in the industry.

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SAFE Fuel Systems In recent years, Safe Fuel has expanded through a

When Rafi and I started Safe Fuel Systems we

partnership with Accel Aviation and B&E Aircraft

co-developed the operational aspects of the

Component Repair, giving Safe Fuel a larger

company, but we’ve learned a lot just by

presence in the industry. Regarding these

observing how our partners operate their

additions, Justiz said, “By adding Accel Aviation

businesses and have implemented some of their

and working with B&E Group, Safe Fuel Systems

work processes. Likewise, we’ve helped

now functions as a larger organization. The

contribute process improvements to them.

synergy that has been created between the three

Safe Fuel has invested time and resources into its

companies has helped all facilities to experience

employees as well. At their location you can find

an overall growth of 15-20% per company People

a gym, complete with a personal trainer, as well as

want to work with us, and that’s wonderful.”

a play room with daycare on site. Recently, they even completed a “Biggest Loser” competition as

“Justiz continued, “Our partnership with Accel

a company. “At the end of the day,” Justiz added,

Aviation and B&E Component Repair has helped us

“when we have happy employees, we have

integrate some of the best operational

productive employees.”

S A F E F U E L S Y S T E M S . C O M

practices into our own business.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO SAFE FUEL SYSTEMS FOR BEING CHOSEN AS A 2019 TOP SHOP WINNER

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When asked about financial goals within the company, Justiz said, “When your mission is to do the right thing, the money and profits will come.

We strive to give our customers the best service and our employees the best benefits and we feel that the money and profits will naturally follow.

We employ over 60 people, and they have lots of places they could work, but they want to stay here because of the culture. We love our community and we employ a diverse group of people.

We are definitely a melting pot for sure.”

What once was a small company has shown continued growth over the years, and Justiz feels this comes from the quality of the work they do. She noted, “Years ago we lost in the Top Shop voting to Accel Aviation and now we are sister companies, so we are definitely keeping it in the family.

It’s the nature of the business to have customers come and go, but to win this award 7 times says a lot about the quality of the work we do and the name recognition we’ve worked hard to develop over the years. As we grow, we’d love to win the Top Shop Award in some of the other areas we’ve added throughout the years. People who know

Justiz concluded, “At the end of the day we are very happy to win this award and it gives us a platform to talk

the work we do in fuel have asked us if we could

about the things that really matter, which are the people, doing the right thing, and having fun.”

expand into other areas because they love the

This mentality is apparent to anyone who has spent any length of time with the people at Safe Fuel Systems.

quality work we do.”

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AeroStar Best Electro-Mechanical Repair,

After working in aviation for more than a decade, in 2011

Guzman continued, “You have to know how to make use of all that talent and

Greg Guzman decided it was time to make the jump and

equip your team for success, because the effects of success are contagious,

start his own company. With the help from some investors,

and its reach is limitless. With an organization the size of ours, which serves

he started AeroStar in Mobile, Alabama. His initial goals

customers exponentially larger than us, we must be flexible, creative and

were lofty, but modest, however, 8 years later it would seem

nimble in order to provide the level of service that our customers demand.”

he has far exceeded what he hoped for AeroStar to become.

AeroStar won the 2019 Top Shop Award for Best Electro-Mechanical Repair, which, along with hydraulics and pneumatics, are AeroStar’s areas of expertise. We spoke with Greg Guzman to find out what it is that makes AeroStar the company that it is today. Guzman noted, “Like all successful companies, the strength of our organization is

AeroStar’s growth has been apparent in the past year with the completion of a second facility – a 17,000 square foot building giving them over 30,000 square feet of operating space. Along with the completion of a new building, AeroStar has increased its employee head count to over 40 employees; more than double what it was just 18 months prior.

directly proportional to the skills, experience and dedication of our people. And we honestly feel that our people are the best in the business.This company is ‘our baby,’ and like all parents, we think our baby is the best looking and smartest baby you’ve ever seen. That’s our foundation, but it’s only part of the equation.”

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Guzman noted that part of AeroStar’s business model is to invest in its employees. He stated, “We subscribe to the ‘inverted pyramid’ principle of management. Instead of employees supporting management’s objectives in lockstep without a voice, our management team works with employees – each of whom is the expert in the details of their jobs – to get ideas on increasing efficiencies, cutting costs and improving processes, all with the goal of better supporting our customers. We believe that’s the difference maker between us and our competition.”

AeroStar’s success has come from a number of factors, primarily focused around customer service in the industry and their presence in the community.

Guzman added, “Excellence and integrity in communication, service and delivery are at the foundation of our culture. We thrive in an industry where quality is expected/demanded/promised. We are a diverse organization, and we believe strongly in taking part in, and giving back to, our community.”

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He continued, “As an organization we are always developing plans to invest

Along with being a 2019 Top Shop Winner, AeroStar also received the

additional capital in state-of-the-art technology at our new facility. We are

distinguished Governor’s Trade Excellence Award, presented by the

continuously researching new capabilities to support larger components and

Honorable Governor Kay Ivey in April of this year. The Governor’s Trade

more aircraft, with a constant eye on being a significant and reliable player in

Excellence Award was given to nine companies across the state of Alabama

this industry.”

for promoting both domestic and international trade for the state.

Aerostar established the South Alabama Aviation Council in Mobile and Baldwin

What does it mean to AeroStar to be a Top Shop Winner? Guzman said,

County, with the goal to bring together other Aviation/Aerospace companies

“It’s quite an honor. Obviously the trophy looks good on our shelf, and the

in the region. One of their biggest outreach goals is working with the youth in

bragging rights certainly give us a little pep in our step, but it really is more

the community, to give them exposure to the Aviation industry and the various

than that to us. To be recognized by our customers is the ultimate payoff

opportunities within it.

for the time and effort each and every one of us invests in AeroStar. To be a Top Shop means that our efforts, our strategies, our teamwork and

Along with being a 2019 Top Shop Winner, AeroStar also received the

our dedication to excellence are not just words in a mission statement. It

distinguished Governor’s Trade Excellence Award, presented by the Honorable

means we’re doing ‘us’ right!”

Governor Kay Ivey in April of this year. The Governor’s Trade Excellence Award was given to nine companies across the state of Alabama for promoting both

Guzman concluded, “Our employees are proud when they get recognized

domestic and international trade for the state.

for their hard work – especially when that recognition comes from our customers. To receive an award like Top Shop shows that our customers appreciate us as much as we appreciate them, and that’s what gets us out of bed in the morning.”

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PA RT 2

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Running For a

GOOD CAUSE B Y

J U L I A N A

C H R I S T E N S E N

Part 2 I love the MRO Americas every April because it’s a time to catch up with friends in

After three straight days of walking the MRO floor in high heels,

the industry along with meeting new people. This year, however, was special for

my husband and I took a flight from Atlanta to Boston in

me. Not only had Sam Bouveron (Thales) ran in the New York City Marathon to raise

preparation for the Boston Marathon the following Monday. The

money for the Boston Children’s Hospital in my son’s name, but this year I was also

MRO this year was wonderful for all the usual reasons, but this

given a once in a lifetime chance to run in the Boston Marathon.

year it was even more special because so many people helped

This article is the “Rest of the Story.”

cheer me on and donated toward the Boston Children’s Hospital.

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ZEKE CHRISTENSEN

After getting set up in Boston, we were met up by my son, Zeke, and my mother so we could all be part of the big day. The following day, Sam Bouveron and Roberta Groner met us in Boston. Sam was running in the race, while Roberta was there to cheer us on. She had just competed in the Rotterdam Marathon, finishing in a time of 2:29:06, making her the 41st

We spent Saturday and Sunday relaxing and getting all our ducks in a row in preparation for the race. One of the blessings of not being the fastest runner is that my starting time was 11:00 AM as opposed to the 9:00 AM starting time for the Elite runners.

This gave me more time to get ready and get to the starting line on time.

American woman ever to break 2 hours 30 minutes and moving her within 2 minutes of the all-time women’s Masters record (over 40 years old). With the help of Sam and Roberta I really felt that I had expert coaches to learn technique from.

We monitored the weather the days leading up to the race because we had a huge rainstorm forecasted for that morning.

At 7:00 AM the clouds dumped sheets and sheets of rain all over Boston, turning the streets into rivers. Thankfully, as if fortune smiled upon us, the clouds parted and the race started on time under clear skies.

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Sam and I got ready for our starting time. He was obviously a better runner than me, but he sacrificed a good finishing time so he could run with me and help pace me throughout the race. I can’t thank him enough for this. It made the 26.2 mile (42.2 km) run so much more fun.

Around 11:15 AM my group started. Let me just say, from the start this race was an experience unlike any other race I’ve ever done.

The course runs in a fairly straight line from 26 miles outside Boston and finishes in downtown. The whole entire course was lined with people cheering for all the runners. There was an electric energy in the air you could feel. What made it better was that I was one of 190 runners for the Boston Children’s Hospital and people cheered me on knowing I was running for someone.

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I realized along the route that there were people in the race running for a cause just like me. It had been 6 years since the Boston Marathon bombing and the feeling in the area was more like unity than discouragement. If the event did anything, it seems to have united the community more. I passed people on the course who were running because they lost someone, or they had a child or friend suffering in some way.

There was even one guy running that had two prosthetic legs. I was impressed because he was so much faster than me.

The race was such an amazing experience that it overshadowed the fact that I was running 26.2 miles and it was tough. It hurt.

Sam helped push me along without pushing me too hard. He would run ahead and grab water or Gatorade for me while keeping me

Finally, we made the turn down Boylston St. and made the final “sprint” toward the finish line. To be honest,

going one step at a time. My husband,

I didn’t have much left in me, but the energy of the entire race made it hard not to give one final run. I also

mother, and son went with Roberta, her kids,

had tears in my eyes as all the emotion of the last several months came together all at once. I had achieved

and Sam’s kids to right around mile 24 and

something I never in a million year thought I would have the chance to do. My final time was 4 hours 31

waited for us. It was wonderful to see them

minutes 12 seconds, which was just fine by me.

on the sidelines when we got to that point.

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In the end, I was able to reach my goal of raising $10,000 for the Boston

I would like to thank so many people in our industry that helped and sup-

Children’s Hospital to help children like my son Zeke, who come into life

ported my son and I along the way, primarily those at Safe Fuel, Ametek

with a number of challenges. He’s an inspiration to me for how bravely he

MRO, and Airway Aerospace. This really was a group effort and I hope that

deals with all his trials.

our work will help out people less fortunate than my son, who is such an inspiration to me with how he lives his life and doesn’t slow down.

34 | MULTIPURPOSEMGZ

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2019 TOP SHOP WINNERS 1 1

T H

A N N I V E R S A R Y

O F

T H E

T O P

S H O P

A W A R D S

This year marked the 11 th anniversary of the Top Shop Awards from The 145, as well as the ushering in of a new website dedicated to the Top Shop Award, www.topshopawards.com. The goal behind the award was to recognize component repair facilities that were delivering exceptional results day in and day out, while also improving the industry through using new innovative technologies and quality work. We felt that the time had come to spotlight those who help make the industry the benchmark of excellence.

COVETED

AWARDS

Over a decade later, the Top Shop Awards have become one of the most coveted aviation maintenance awards in the world. Currently there are 22 different categories, awarding companies who specialize in areas ranging from: Accessories, Avionics and Instruments, Galley Products, and In-Flight Entertainment, to name a few.

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12TH ANNUAL TOP SHOP AWARDS 27th April, 2020

It’s important to note that the Top Shop Awards is 100% peer-driven and is open to any repair center within the aviation community. No sign-up is required and any professional within the industry can nominate a business for the award.

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12TH ANNUAL TOPSHOP AWARDS APRIL 27TH 2020

PreShow Event In April, on the Monday before the MRO Americas started, The 145 hosted a preshow event at Top Golf in Atlanta, Georgia.

The event was well attended with close to 200 individuals showing up for food, fun, socializing, and lots of golf. It was a hit!

In 2020, the Top Shop winners will join us prior to the MRO Americas at K1 Speed in Dallas, Texas. It willbe a wonderful opportunity to celebrate, share, gossip, network, advertise, eat, drink and - time permitting - race go karts.

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K1 Speed Dallas 27th April, 2020

For those companies who are Top Shop Award winner, keep up the good work. For those who would like more information or to find better ways to get exposure, please let us know or visit the website previously mentioned. We’d love to help you put your best face forward while improving the quality of this entire industry. It really is wonderful to be a part of the aviation maintenance industry.

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AIRPORT

S A V A N N A H / H I L T O N

H E A D

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

A I R P O R T

Which Airport?

Services a major tourist area of the Southeastern United States?

Began its existence in 1929?

Became an Army Air Corp airfield during WWII? Is unique for having 2 headstones on runway 10?

SAVANNAH/HILTON HEAD

INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT JUNE-2019

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In the 1970s, the east-west runway (Runway 10) was lengthened to more

In 1929, the Savannah Municipal Airport opened with air service

than 9,000 feet (2,700 m), however, they encountered a problem with the

between New York City and Miami by Eastern Air Express. Over the

expansion. The expansion placed the runway through the middle of a family

years its name changed to Hunter Field, then Chatham Field (when

cemetery, containing the graves of the airport property’s two original own-

it was taken over by the U.S. Army Air Corp during WWII), then

ers, Richard and Catherine Dotson.

Travis Field, eventually becoming Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in 2003. The airport receives flights from

The family did not want to remove or relocate the graves, so they were

across the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and South

paved over.

America, with close to 2.8 million people passing through its doors on an annual basis.

The original location of the two graves are now marked by two tombstones laid flat near the edge of the runway, so planes don’t roll over the site, but passengers and pilots can see them when a planes taxi by.

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CAMPAIGNING TIPS FOR 2020

TOP SHOP AWARDS

ONE OF THE TOP QUESTIONS WE GE T EACH YEAR IS, “HOW CAN I BE SELECTED AS A TOP SHOP?” THIS A

2020 TOPSHOP TIMELINE

Nominations close December 31, 2019

Nominations open May 1, 2019

JUNE-2019

Finalists A January

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0

S

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TOPSHOP

2020

ARTICLE WILL EXPL AIN THE PROCESS INVOLVED IN SELECTING, AND BEING SELECTED, AS A TOP SHOP.

Winners Announced February 1, 2020

Announced y 8, 2020

Award Presentation at 2020 MRO Americas, April 27-29, 2020 in Dallas, TX

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W W W . T H E 1 4 5 . C O M We believe in empowering our customers with MRO data so comprehensive

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they can’t help but make great business decisions.

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