Cullman Regional Airport general manager Ben Harrison is taking a seat at a bigger table among his peers nationwide, thanks to a new committee appointment that puts him at the center of innovative idea-sharing between municipal and regional airports across the country.
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has named Harrison the chair of the newly-created Airport Sponsored FBO Subcommittee, which falls under the organization’s Airport Business Committee. It’s a role that Harrison says will put Cullman’s airport in closer touch with problem-solving ideas that other airports across the country may already be practicing, while sharing locally-created solutions with the wider aviation community.
“More than anything, it gives us the ability to pick up the phone whenever there’s a problem here, and other professionals in the industry if they’ve dealt with that same problem before,” he explained. “It gives us the chance to what we can learn from them — but also to see if they can learn anything from us. We’re all in the same boat — or, our business, I should probably say the same ‘plane’ — so it’s a great way to share our best practices and for everyone to learn from each other.”
FBO, short for fixed-based operator, refers to any company or entity that operates aeronautical services — from maintenance to flight instruction to fueling to hangar service and more — as a resident service provider at a (typically regional or municipal) airport.
In the months to come, Harrison’s appointment will take him and other committee members to smaller airports throughout the U.S. in an information exchange that doubles as an incidental opportunity to showcase Cullman’s airport. The airport is currently in the midst of a multi-phase improvement project as it seeks to improve its advantage in the burgeoning demand nationwide for high-quality regional airport service.
The latest improvement, a completely refurbished and upgraded taxiway, will be officially unveiled at a Dec. 19 ribbon-cutting, although it’ll be put through its paces even sooner, as daily flights begin coming in on the new tarmac.
“Whether it’s on the new committee, or in the improvements we’re working on at the airport here in Cullman, the goal is the same,” said Harrison. “It’s all about being safer, more efficient and better.”
“As the FBO industry continues to see an increasing number of airport-operated FBOs, NATA’s Airport Sponsored FBO Subcommittee will address the many challenges and opportunities this specific community encounters,” NATA said in a press release.
“Cullman Regional Airport is a great example of an airport that serves the community well, and we wanted to tap into Ben’s expertise so others can benefit,” added NATA Chief Operating Officer Tim Obitts. “NATA represents over 100 airport sponsored FBOs, and this Subcommittee will provide a forum for this stakeholder group and a voice for the safety, quality, and security issues these aviation businesses are encountering on a daily basis.”
Benjamin Bullard can be reached by phone at 256-734-2131 ext. 145.
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