At NBAA 2010 in Atlanta, Signature Flight Support ...

...offers up an interesting idea, while it’s revealed that a legendary name in the biz – Midcoast Aviation – will fade into history this coming January. Walking the show floor at the 63rd Annual Meeting & Convention of the National Business Aviation Association this year, one gets the sense that people are looking ahead. While no official attendance numbers had yet to be released, NBAA 2010 is more vibrant than last year and attendees are more upbeat. During the show, Signature Flight Support announced it has entered into a licensing agreement with Starlink Aviation of Montreal in which Starlink will become the 103rd outlet to display the Signature brand. Following the briefing, Signature president Michael Scheeringa sat with AIRPORT BUSINESS and revealed that the FBO chain is in the early stages of conducting economic impact studies at its individual locations. The goal, says Sheeringa, is to be able to quantify for airports and their communities the value that a Signature fixed base operation brings to the community – in jobs and in economic impact. Personally, I think it’s a great idea. Airports conduct such studies all the time; this is the first one I’ve ever heard of for an FBO. Seems like a solid way to present to the community the value of the industry – something which of course has been an issue the past few years. Regarding Midcoast, parent General Dynamics announced that effective Jan. 1, 2011, General Dynamics Aviation Services will be rebranded Gulfstream, and Midcoast Aviation will be rebranded Jet Aviation. The rebranding initiative is expected to enhance the service experience for customers, says GD. The company says the move is designed to simplify and harmonize Jet Aviation's brand footprint around the world. During the show I ran into former/retired CEO Gary Driggers, who says the name change is logical, and was inevitable. He, like other Midcoast employees I spoke with, lament the change of the name of a company that has become a legend in FBO and MRO circles. Founded by John Tucker, Midcoast not only had a history of being a strong service provider and employer in St. Louis, it also was known for spawning entrepreneurs who went on to start their own successful enterprises. To John Tucker one can only say, alas. Thanks for reading. jfi