(Photo courtesy of Leading Edge Jet Center)
Leading Edge Jet Center (LEJC), a Fixed Base Operator (FBO), opened August 2015 as a 100 percent wholly owned subsidiary of Leading Edge Aviation (Leading Edge), which has been serving Central Oregon since 1989 at the Redmond Municipal Airport.
The FBO is located on the north side of Roberts Field on 3.74 acres. The lease includes a fuel farm, FBO office, and maintenance and storage hangar. Since the lease began in August, LEJC has instigated significant improvements to the facility.
Partnering with Shell Aviation, LEJC offers both 100LL and Jet A full-service fuel to incoming and outgoing airport traffic. This is significant because fuel price competition could draw additional traffic to Redmond Municipal Airport and the area, possibly result in revenue for restaurants, resorts, events, and other businesses.
In regards to fuel competition, Courtney Massey, director of marketing for Leading Edge says, “Central Oregon has graciously welcomed LEJC as a new operator at Redmond Municipal Airport. Eager to see development and inspired change, Central Oregon aviators see the added competition as a much needed leap towards making Redmond the true hub of Central Oregon.”
FBO also provides customer care including arrangements for car rentals, hotel accommodation, catering and any other services necessary.
Over-seeing operations, and the sites ten employees, is General Manager (GM) Phillipp Spitzer. With 12 years of experience in general aviation, five of which in managerial positions, Spitzer brings an abundance of expertise to his role with LEJC. Spitzer comes to LEJC having recently left the position as safety and training manager at one of the five busiest general aviation airports in the country, Denver Centennial Airport. His knowledge of operations, passion for service and high regard for safety mirror the LEJC institutional philosophies.
Eventually, LEA plans to completely rebuild the facility to meet the amenities standard of the Redmond terminal and needs of aviators. In the winter of 2016, LEJC will begin to offer maintenance including avionic services, extend flight training and charter services operated by Leading Edge to airport patrons.
To regenerate camaraderie and bring a safety centered mindset to the general aviation community, LEJC has begun a bi-monthly Airman Proficiency Workshop series open to all pilots in the Redmond area. This series will focus on various safety topics and give attendees the opportunity to earn FAA WINGS credit.
To learn more about Leading Edge Jet Center, please contact Julie Mueller, at 541.504.3848/ www.flyredmond.com /jmueller@flybend.com
