As the aviation industry and world grapple with the coronavirus pandemic, EPIC Fuels is doing its part to reignite the economy by encouraging people to fly responsibly by providing passengers, crew, pilots and FBO staff the absolute safest experience while traveling by private aviation.
EPIC Fuels has launched its Reach for the Sky, We’ve Got the Ground campaign. The goal: to inspire FBO partners – and their customers – to achieve at the highest levels, knowing EPIC Fuels will be there, providing a solid foundation of partnership and support through its trusted people, products and services.
Taking an Uplifting Message on the Road – and to the Sky
The campaign kicks off with EPIC’s coast-to-coast Reach Tour, featuring world-class aerobatics pilot and competitor Anthony Oshinuga. He will be making appearances and fuel stops at 44 FBOs from August 17 through September 3. The tour covers 6,000 nautical miles in 18 days.
The tour consists of appearances at EPIC Fuels-branded FBOs and Signature Select FBOs, all part of Signature Aviation.
“FBOs have communicated great enthusiasm for this campaign,” said Marius Ronge, President, EPIC Fuels and Signature Select. “We all need encouragement right now, and this is our way of supporting our FBO partners, reminding businesses that these FBOs have been open all along, providing services essential to growth and our nation’s economic health. We are suggesting that with safety protocols in place, business and general aviation aircraft can safely return to the skies.”
The value of business aircraft is well documented. The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) reports that 97 percent of business aircraft registered in the United States are operated by a broad cross-section of organizations and businesses large and small. Aircraft have a direct impact on businesses’ success. EPIC Fuels has worked alongside its FBO partners on the ground for 80 years – providing safe, reliable fuels and such valued offerings as its EPIC Card and QTpod.
Motivation You Can See
For the fourth year, EPIC Fuels has partnered with Oshinuga to promote EPIC Fuels and general aviation. Oshinuga will conduct touch-and-goes with smoke at multiple locations with his custom Pitts Special S-1S single-seat biplane. The main draw is the man himself. The Nigerian-born aviation enthusiast uses his humble beginnings to encourage others to achieve their dreams by leveraging the sky. Oshinuga made history in 2015 at the Reno Air Race National Championship by becoming the first African American rookie pilot to hold the first-place position after his third heat, which led to a second-place win. Today he shares his passion for flight with everyone he meets.
“I grew up poor in California, and locating funds to fuel my passion for flying was an early challenge,” says Oshinuga. “I later discovered that passion was the fuel I needed. My partnership with EPIC Fuels gives me a platform to serve as an ambassador for an industry that is more than an essential service. It is integral to our economy.”
Oshinuga will present special COVID-related care packages at each tour stop as a special thank you and acknowledgement of the FBOs’ role in supporting both their customers and the industry. The symbolic packages contain EPIC-branded masks, hand sanitizers and mugs. They demonstrate and remind the FBOs that EPIC Fuels has their backs.
Special Guests and Media Welcome
The Reach Tour kicks off in San Diego, CA, then loops around the nation through EPIC-partnered FBOs in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Washington, Oregon and back to California. Due to the pandemic, event attendance will be limited to a small number of invited guests and media.
Take Part Virtually
Throughout the tour, EPIC Fuels and Oshinuga will be posting regularly to Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. Included are his insider’s view on tour prep for his Pitts, ensuring his aerobatic plane can successfully conduct this ambitious long-distance tour. Follow along with the hashtags #ReachForTheSky and #GoEPICFuels.
Additionally, Oshinuga’s remarks and presentation of the special care package to FBO owners will be livestreamed on Facebook Live at two key locations: American Aero, Fort Worth, TX (KFTW) on Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 19; and Corporate Air, Pittsburgh, PA (KAGC) on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 23.
