236 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 10, ISSUE 10 new terminal, as there were serious security requirements and other factors to put in place. So, what we did in the last decade was to create a terminal with space for up to three airlines. We could host three different airlines here and have ticket counter space for all of them. The airlines themselves would have office space as well. We have an automated baggage belt that goes right out through the TSA inspection area, and then from there into the baggage handling room and then loaded onto the aircraft. We now have a jet bridge as well so that people do not have to go out into the elements.” Pierre Regional Airport covers 1,834 acres at an elevation of 1,744 feet and has two asphalt runways: 7/25 is 6,880 by 100 feet while 13/31 is 6,900 by 100 feet. The Denver Air Connection offers daily flights with Key Lime Air and continuing flights through United Airlines. Mustang Air also offers charter services as well as operating as the FBO, with full fueling, maintenance, repair, and hangar capabilities as well as flight instruction. The airport has six full-time staff and two part-time staff. They often share duties and are all trained in ARFF firefighting and rescue techniques, including Cowles. Flying into top operational upgrades “It is one of the best FBOS that I have ever encountered working at different airports,” says Cowles, “The owner is Jim Pietz, who also has businesses down in Fort Myers, Florida. He runs an aircraft sales and service business down there. He winters in Florida and comes up here when it is above freezing – they have a very nice facility here. They offer flight instruction, charter service, aircraft service, and sales and of course, they handle the fueling for the airlines here. All of their staff is very good at what they do and I have never had any kind of complaints.” “They are getting ready to expand one of their hangers,” he continues, “I believe the current footprint is 115 by 115 feet and when they expand it they will have a storage hangar
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