Sweet Aviation is expanding its footprint in northern Indiana, taking over as the FBO at Goshen Municipal airport. At its August meeting, members of the Goshen Board of Aviation Commissioners approved Sweet Aviation's request to assume the contract that Goshen Air Center has held since 1992. Goshen Air Center co-founder and current airport manager Randy Sharkey will continue to play a role in the airport's future.

As sole FBO, Sweet Aviation will begin offering fuelling, maintenance and charter services at Goshen Municipal in September 2024. With this expansion, Sweet Aviation now provides various services and amenities out of four Indianan airports, including Fort Wayne International Airport, Smith Field Airport and DeKalb County Airport.

Chuck Surack, owner and founder of Sweet Aviation and Surack Enterprises, says: “I am so grateful to be able to welcome Goshen Municipal airport into the Sweet Aviation family. Goshen Air Center is a great success story with a solid foundation.”

In addition to Sweet Aviation, Surack Enterprises boasts a portfolio of aviation-based businesses, including Sweet Helicopters, Aviation Specialty Insurance and Enstrom Helicopter Corporation.

Surack is also no stranger to the Goshen Municipal Airport. In 2017, he purchased a corporate aircraft hangar for Sweet Helicopters to better serve charter clients traveling to Notre Dame University and the Chicagoland area. When the opportunity arose to expand Sweet Aviation's network of operations, Goshen Municipal Airport proved a natural progression.

Goshen Municipal is the seventh busiest airport in the state of Indiana, and many pilots, both transient and local, rely on its services during their travels. Through this new partnership with Sweet Aviation, Goshen Municipal stands to bolster its economic impact as the ‘Gateway to Goshen’. Among the first changes airport users will see are the expanded line service hours. The passenger terminal building will now be open from 0700 to 1900 seven days a week with a full array of professional line tech services available for general aviation aircraft.

Sweet Aviation general manager Joel Pierce comments: “We are excited to focus on adding value to the people of Goshen through desirable aviation jobs, community engagement and top-tier customer service.”

Located about 95 miles east of Chicago, Goshen is fast becoming a centre for cultural and visual arts with a vibrant, historic downtown. Visitors can shop at the Saturday farmer's market, discover the history of legendary outlaw John Dillinger, celebrate in the streets on First Fridays and walk or bike the many paths along the Maple City Greenway.

Goshen mayor Gina Leichty notes: “I believe we have a winning combination at the airport. Randy Sharkey brings more than three decades of experience as our airport manager, and with Chuck's reputation for growing successful businesses, I am confident Goshen's airport has a very bright future.”

Sweet Aviation will acquire three new aircraft through the partnership, a Cessna Citation XLS and two Cessna Citation Encores. These three jets will be made available for charter flights, adding to Sweet Aviation's charter fleet, which currently includes the Cirrus Vision Jet, the Pilatus PC-12 and the Cirrus SR22 GTS. Sweet Aviation will also maintain multiple maintenance technicians, allowing for aircraft maintenance services at Goshen to continue uninterrupted.