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Benson airport has much to offer
Not everyone in the community may be aware of the maturity of aviation services provided at the Benson Municipal Airport (E95), and so I have the following to share.
Southwestern Aviation (SWA), operated by Andrew and Ema Simm, provides comprehensive fixed base operator (FBO) services, including flight training, ground instruction, and aircraft rental & checkout. Southwestern Aviation also provides 24-7 Jet-A and 100LL Avgas aircraft refueling services, a pilot shop & lounge, and courtesy car services to transient pilots. In addition, Southwestern Aviation provides 24-7 airport security and collects aircraft parking and airport gate access fees, on behalf of the City of Benson. Southwestern Aviation's aircraft fleet includes two Cessna 172 aircraft, and two recently added Piper Cherokee Warrior aircraft.
Eric Seabase and Waylon Crump operate Vertical Performance Aviation (VPA), comprehensive aircraft maintenance and repair facility located on the west ramp of the Benson airport. Vertical Performance Aviation provides various aircraft maintenance services, including 100-hour/ annual aircraft inspections, aircraft repair and maintenance services, and aircraft refurbishment. They provide expert and courteous aircraft airframe and power plant maintenance services, on both fixed-wing and rotor-wing aircraft, at reasonable prices. I was very pleased with the recent annual inspection and engine mount removal and replacement maintenance activity done by VPA on my aircraft, N714KU, a 1977 Cessna 150M.
Benson Municipal Airport is home for the western division of Keystone Aerial Surveys, a prominent national aerial photography and imaging provider. Benson's airport is also serviced by an AWOS-III, automated weather observation station. Live weather reports can be acquired on 118.475 MHz, or at 520.586.4409. Current FAA grant and city sponsored airport projects include runway repair/resurfacing and a new helicopter pad.
When thinking of general aviation services, think of Benson local businesses.
Stephen Insalaco
J-Six Ranch
Southwestern Aviation (SWA), operated by Andrew and Ema Simm, provides comprehensive fixed base operator (FBO) services, including flight training, ground instruction, and aircraft rental & checkout. Southwestern Aviation also provides 24-7 Jet-A and 100LL Avgas aircraft refueling services, a pilot shop & lounge, and courtesy car services to transient pilots. In addition, Southwestern Aviation provides 24-7 airport security and collects aircraft parking and airport gate access fees, on behalf of the City of Benson. Southwestern Aviation's aircraft fleet includes two Cessna 172 aircraft, and two recently added Piper Cherokee Warrior aircraft.
Eric Seabase and Waylon Crump operate Vertical Performance Aviation (VPA), comprehensive aircraft maintenance and repair facility located on the west ramp of the Benson airport. Vertical Performance Aviation provides various aircraft maintenance services, including 100-hour/ annual aircraft inspections, aircraft repair and maintenance services, and aircraft refurbishment. They provide expert and courteous aircraft airframe and power plant maintenance services, on both fixed-wing and rotor-wing aircraft, at reasonable prices. I was very pleased with the recent annual inspection and engine mount removal and replacement maintenance activity done by VPA on my aircraft, N714KU, a 1977 Cessna 150M.
Benson Municipal Airport is home for the western division of Keystone Aerial Surveys, a prominent national aerial photography and imaging provider. Benson's airport is also serviced by an AWOS-III, automated weather observation station. Live weather reports can be acquired on 118.475 MHz, or at 520.586.4409. Current FAA grant and city sponsored airport projects include runway repair/resurfacing and a new helicopter pad.
When thinking of general aviation services, think of Benson local businesses.
Stephen Insalaco
J-Six Ranch
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of bensonnews-sun.com.
Kevin K wrote on Aug 11, 2009 2:22 PM:
" Benson Airport provides more than a "money pit" for Benson's taxpayers. It provides a lifeline to patients at the local hospital that require airlift to Phoenix. Every gallon of fuel sold at the airport includes a "flowage fee" that goes directly to the city. The more activity at the airport, the more money the city makes.
The pilots at Benson airport are almost all residents of Benson or the surrounding area, and contribute a disproportionate amount of money to the local community in the form of taxes (property and income). The airport also provides employment to a number of local people (mechanics, flight instructors, the airport manager and his family), who also contribute in the form of taxes and money spent with local retailers.
It is narrow minded and short sighted to look simply at a balance sheet for an airport and conclude that it is wasteful. There is a great deal of additional benefit that accrues to a rural community when an airport is present.
All that is needed for Benson to benefit yet more from the local airport is for the city to encourage investment in businesses at - and around the airport. To the city's credit, this has begun. Solar Park is a huge step in the right direction, and the city has really opened up the airport to development. Things will only get better from here.
If you don't believe in your airport, why not come by and look for yourself? There are always friendly pilots there who will show you around and - if you like - take you for a flight. Perhaps you'd like to see your house from the air? Come by and get involved. The airport belongs to the community. "
The pilots at Benson airport are almost all residents of Benson or the surrounding area, and contribute a disproportionate amount of money to the local community in the form of taxes (property and income). The airport also provides employment to a number of local people (mechanics, flight instructors, the airport manager and his family), who also contribute in the form of taxes and money spent with local retailers.
It is narrow minded and short sighted to look simply at a balance sheet for an airport and conclude that it is wasteful. There is a great deal of additional benefit that accrues to a rural community when an airport is present.
All that is needed for Benson to benefit yet more from the local airport is for the city to encourage investment in businesses at - and around the airport. To the city's credit, this has begun. Solar Park is a huge step in the right direction, and the city has really opened up the airport to development. Things will only get better from here.
If you don't believe in your airport, why not come by and look for yourself? There are always friendly pilots there who will show you around and - if you like - take you for a flight. Perhaps you'd like to see your house from the air? Come by and get involved. The airport belongs to the community. "
BVG wrote on May 13, 2009 12:35 PM: