The Addison Arbor Foundation (AAF) completed its 20th public art installation earlier this year. Originally installed at a courtyard in the Addison Circle District, AAF restored and relocated local Dallas artist David B. Hickman‘s kinetic artwork. The sculpture was ‘re’installed by John Galletta of 2G Art Services with the assistance of the Town of Addison Parks Department. The 9′ by 6′ by 6’ kinetic wind-activated sculpture cast in bronze, glass and steel materials with two pieces representing Aikido martial arts.

The Addison Arbor Foundation (AAF) officially dedicated the Akido to the Town of Addison on Tuesday, December 12. 

Addison is home to more public art per capita than any other city in the U.S. For more information on Addison Arbor Foundation (AAF) and to help support their mission, please visit addisonarbor.org

Galaxy FBO recently hosted the Cirrus Owners & Pilots Association (aka, “COPA”) CPPP (COPA Pilot Proficiency Program) at the Conroe North Houston Regional (KCXO) Airport.

The Cirrus Owners & Pilots Association (COPA) is a non-profit global organization made up of like-minded individuals looking to stay safe in the air and build relationships on the ground through the online and in-person sharing of real-world aviation experiences utilizing the Cirrus Aircraft.

Conroe North Houston Regional Airport based Cirrus Aircraft as a Platinum Training and Service Center partner, Tidal Aviation was a featured program partner for the event.

The CPPP (COPA Pilot Proficiency Program) is recurrent training program that focuses on Cirrus Aircraft specific education, safety, and flying proficiency for pilots, owners, and partners seeking to make the most of their Cirrus experience. The informative weekend-long events are tailored to the participant’s recurrent training requirements and include intense ground instruction, and hands-on flight instruction. In addition, all CPPP participants and their partners are attended social events at the Black Walnut Cafe, located on the third floor of the Galaxy FBO building.

Galaxy FBO recently co-hosted an ‘Evening in Aviation’ at the Addison Airport with PNC Aviation Finance. The well attended event featured all major aircraft manufacturers, with Gulfstream Aerospace featuring its new flagship G700 ultra-long-range large cabin aircraft on display for tours.

PNC Aviation Finance has more than 500 aircraft in its portfolio, and had $5.6B worth of transactions in the past five years. “Our whole philosophy is to build meaningful, longstanding relationships with our clients and partners. For our partners, whether those are the leading broker dealers, the OEMs, or other players, we have the opportunity to help them deliver for their clients. And those relationships are incredibly important to us. So we spend a lot of time with those partners, understanding their needs and helping them understand our model and how we evaluate risk and return.” said Alex Overstrom, who is head of aviation finance for PNC in a recent interview for the Business Jet Traveler magazine.

Jet and Turbo-Prop Aircraft on display:

Photo Credit: Amy Karp

Over three-hundred private aviation enthusiasts attended the Evening in Aviation event with select exotic cars on display from Tactical Fleet. Several custom built motorcycles were also on display from the Dallas based HAAS Motorcycle Museum.

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You are cleared to Take Off! Choosing the right flight school is a crucial step in your journey to becoming a pilot.

Here are some steps to help you pick the right flight school:

  1. Decide what type of pilot you want to become (private, commercial, airline transport, etc.) and whether you want to pursue fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters. Different flight schools may specialize in different areas.
  2. Research flight schools in your area or in locations you’re willing to travel to. Use online resources, directories, and recommendations from other pilots to create a list of potential schools.
  3. Ensure that the flight school is accredited by the appropriate aviation authority in your country, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States. Accreditation is an important indicator of quality and safety standards.
  4. Visit the school! This will give you a chance to see the facilities, meet the instructors, and get a feel for the school’s culture and environment.
  5. Talk to current and former students: Speak with current and former students to gather insights into their experiences with the school. Ask about the quality of instruction, aircraft maintenance, and overall satisfaction.
  6. Ensure that the flight school has a well-maintained and up-to-date fleet of aircraft. The variety and condition of aircraft available can affect your training experience.
  7. Check Instructor qualifications: Instructors play a vital role in your training. Experienced and knowledgeable instructors can greatly impact your learning experience.
  8. Research the school’s safety record and accident history. A good safety record is a strong indicator of a well-managed flight school.
  9. Compare the cost of training at different schools. Consider not only the hourly rates for aircraft and instruction but also additional costs such as ground school, materials, and examination fees.
  10. Consider the school’s location in terms of accessibility, weather conditions, and the availability of other resources like accommodation and transportation. Texas airports are ideal for year-around flight training.

By following these steps and conducting thorough research, you can make an informed decision when selecting the right flight school for your aviation journey.

Houston Area Flight Schools at the Conroe North Houston Regional Airport

Dallas Area Flight Schools at Addison Airport

AOPA Pilot Information Center – Finding the Right Flight Instructor

Galaxy FBO’s team at the Conroe North Houston Regional Airport (KCXO) has come top of the 2023 North America Business Air News (BAN) FBO survey – ‘FBO Feedback 23’.

Business Air News surveys its business aircraft owner and operator subscribers annually to determine the leading fixed base operators in North America and in the EMEA region. The winners were announced at the annual NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas on October 2023. Galaxy FBO Vice President Cory Merryman received the award from Business Air News’ Brad Wright at the show (below). To view the complete article on BAN’s ‘fbo survey 23’, visit businessairnews.com

We try and make everyone feel this is a home away from home, regardless of what type or size of aircraft they fly. With our ‘trust at every turn’ motto, we make it known to the crew members that we have their back, and we care about their safety as our top priority. A recognition from Business Air News will help our high standards become more widely known.

John Lowry, General Manager at Galaxy FBO KCXO
Galaxy FBO Vice President Cory Merryman received the award from Business Air News' Brad Wright at the NBAA-BACE 2023.
Business Air News October 2023 Issue

Make Your Opinion Count!

Business Air News ‘fbo feedback’ survey is open year-around for you to cast your vote for your favorite Fixed Base Operation and handler. Visit www.businessairnews.com/feedback_form.html to evaluate your TOP FBOs today!

Galaxy FBO Addison team hosted the National Business Aviation Association’s Local and Regional Group Committee Round Table.

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Runway incursions remain a serious concern nationally. Conroe North Houston Regional Airport is conducting its annual Runway Safety Action Team (RSAT) meeting on July 12, 2023 at Galaxy FBO. (more…)

Subscribers to Professional Pilot magazine returned the 50th annual PRASE (Preferences Regarding Aviation Services and Equipment) Survey with high marks for Galaxy FBO. (more…)

You may know Kay Hall from her popular videos on social media, featuring her ‘Lil Red’ a 1968 Piper Cherokee 180 with her logo “FlyWithKay”.

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