Aviation View Magazine | Volume 1, Issue 4

97 AVIATION VIEW VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4 Aero-Tech Services, Ace Transport Charter Service, and the Northeast Charter Aviation (NECA) organization also offer charter service from Brandywine. “Plane Sense, a fractional ownership service, also flies a lot of planes in and out of here,” Vassilliou adds. “We have a really nice terminal building here that has attached offices and a facility that clients can walk through to board their planes. It is a really good relationship.” Because of the length of the runway, the patrons tend to be piston and turboprop aircraft that buy fuel, which is the real bread and butter for many airports. When the group of 70 took over, it included a hefty mortgage, which is now close to being paid off. “We are going to be having a big celebration when we make the final payment,” says Kassab. “A lot of the money we are still putting into this airport is used to service the mortgage. It will free us up to make other airport improvements to serve our members and the public.” Because it is a reliever airport for Philadelphia International, Brandywine Regional qualifies for aid and grants from the FAA. “These funds are generally used to enhance safe operations,” Kassab explains. “Paving, lighting, weather reporting systems, instrument landing systems, and drainage are the type of things they help us out with. We are currently working on a runway widening project, for example, which will widen the runway from a 50 to 60 feet. This will improve the safety margin for landing and departing aircraft. We plan to build more corporate hangars, something in high demand now; we have a waiting list for all types of hangars.” The owners at Brandywine point out the benefits of having a privately-owned airport within their community that is open for public use. Airports generate billions of dollars in economic activity, and part of that occurs regionally. There is an important link between a regional airport BRANDYWINE REGIONAL A I RPORT and the community’s economic vitality. The airport attracts people to the region and makes businesses more accessible and drives growth. Brandywine in particular is routinely used by business people visiting and traveling to and from Chester County, Delaware County, Philadelphia, and the Route 202 corridor. It provides a transportation hub for air ambulance services, homeland security, pipeline patrol, power line inspection, news helicopters, PA State Police, search and rescue efforts, disaster relief and for patrons of local businesses, sporting tournaments, and local universities.