North American FBO chain Ross Aviation has added a key midwestern location to its FBO network with the acquisition of the FBO and MRO businesses of Silverhawk Aviation in Lincoln, Nebraska. Located at Lincoln airport, Silverhawk Aviation has been consistently ranked as one of the top FBOs in the US midwest and is highly regarded in the region for its expansive flight maintenance capabilities. Ross Aviation did not acquire the fractional, charter or aircraft management services business, which owners Mike Gerdes and John Geary will continue to operate as Silverhawk Aviation.

“This is an important addition for us,” says Brian Corbett, CEO of Ross Aviation. “Not only from a geographic perspective but from an operational one as well. Silverhawk’s outstanding reputation for unbeatable quick turns and guest services fits perfectly with our flight hospitality culture, and its MRO capabilities dovetail nicely with those of our other repair stations in Westfield, Massachusetts and Sarasota, Florida.” Silverhawk will continue operating its charter fleet and will be a key client for Ross Aviation’s FBO and flight maintenance services.

“We’re proud to partner with one of the most respected companies in the industry,” adds Mike Gerdes, president of Silverhawk Aviation. “We expect the FBO and MRO pieces of the business to continue to flourish under Ross Aviation, and this allows us to focus 100 per cent of our efforts to providing the best value in private travel in the midwest.”

Operating, acquiring and building FBOs of the future is a key strategy for Ross Aviation. The acquisition of Silverhawk Aviation brings the company’s network to 18 locations in the continental United States, Alaska and the Cayman Islands, with additional new locations anticipated to be announced before year-end.

In addition to being highly ranked for safety and service in recent industry surveys, Ross Aviation is also becoming known for its environmental initiatives, which include its ‘Fly More. Leave Less.’ carbon offset programme, as well as planned delivery of the first sustainable aviation fuel in the New York metropolitan area at its Westchester County airport location in White Plains, New York. Other initiatives in the works include making electric crew cars widely available, investing in electric tugs and exploring photovoltaic systems on hangar roofs. All are part of the company’s corporate commitment to help reduce business aviation’s impact on the planet.