Cutter not likely to invest locally

Cutter Aviation coming to Montrose Regional Airport? We’ll see. By dropping litigation against the county and paying fees ordered by the courts, it appears Jetaway is again attempting to back the county into a corner.

No doubt about it, Cutter Aviation is a class act. I instructed, under the GI Bill, at Bill Cutter’s West Mesa airport in Albuquerque years ago. Later, Bill came by my place often to pick up something he needed. We were good friends. His attendants serviced aircraft I flew at Kirkland and Sky Harbor airports. Mrs. Cutter treated me like a son. Their “Young Bill” followed and built a company that measures in the top echelon of FBO operations, as does Black Canyon Jet Center, which now serves aviation at the airport.

Cutter has said they would consider an MTJ operation as an independent, Cutter-owned business. They have also indicated they would only be interested if it is profitable, something questionable, as a second FBO at Montrose County Airport where the existing FBO has yet to see a real bright future. They are not interested in controversy, lawsuits or any other distracting factors.

Aside from fuel sales, Cutter sells airplanes, expensive ones, and it provides other aviation-related services. Airplane sales in this area are severely limited. Aircraft maintenance, sufficient to serve modest needs, is carried out by struggling on-airport facilities.

I will be very surprised if Cutter Aviation finds viable interest in Montrose Regional Airport or in co-partnering in any way with Jetaway. Recent history of continued litigation gives insight as to whether it is a thing of the past, caution will be in play. Aircraft fueling is insufficient to support another FBO. Aircraft sales and related services are minimal. Why would a company like Cutter Aviation invest heavily at MTJ for nonprofit return?

Kirby Kline

Miontrose