Grayson County, Texas -- US Aviation Group announced Thursday, January 17, 2013 that it will expand flight training operations, along with adding an avionics shop and maintenance shop to its operation. US Aviation currently has 20 employees and anticipates adding an additional 30 workers over the next two years due to its success at North Texas Regional Airport.
"We could not find a better location than North Texas Regional Airport," said Mike Sykes, president of US Aviation. "We feel welcome here and can't say enough about all the help we have had in regard to getting our operations established at NTRA.
The company provides domestic and international pilot training and bases approximately 17 aircraft at North Texas Regional Airport. US Aviation's student population has grown to 80 students for this one-year commercial pilot course and it currently has a staff of 20 instructors, maintenance and administrative personnel.
"We are blessed to have a business of this caliber at our airport," said Grayson County Judge Drue Bynum. "US Aviation is a key part of our airport development and contributes significantly to its economic growth. We are happy to have them here."
"I also want to thank our team made up of Grayson County Commissioners Court, Sherman Economic Development Corporation and Denison Development Alliance who market, support and encourage growth at North Texas Regional Airport," added Judge Bynum. "NTRA is a shining example of how several entities can truly work together for a common cause...to bring new jobs and investment to our county."
US Aviation is headquartered at the Denton airport where it has been providing services since 2006. US Aviation currently operates 71 aircraft (53 single-engine, 13 multi-engine and five helicopters) and has approximately 175 employees with an annual payroll of $3.9 million. US Aviation purchases approximately $2.1 million of fuel annually to support over 52,000 flight training hours. It currently has connections for business with 27 countries.
North Texas Regional Airport continues to grow with this addition and with other businesses that have joined the airport in the past few years.
"NTRA's hangars are basically full and our mail focus is to develop programs to assist companies that require new facilities," said Admiral Bill Retz, Marketing Manager for North Texas Regional Airport.
The marketing efforts of NTRA are supported through a partnership between Grayson County, Denison Development Alliance and Sherman Economic Development Corporation.
"Business is picking up and we are delighted to have US Aviation operating from North Texas Regional Airport," stated Mike Shahan, Airport Manager. "Our tower is now operation 12 hours per day, seven days per week. County and community support remain essential to our growth."
North Texas Regional Airport is located in Grayson County, Texas near the cities of Sherman and Denison. NTRA has a 9,000-foot runway, an 8,000-foot runway in reserve and is capable of handling almost any aircraft in service today. It has a footprint of over 1,400 acres.
North Texas Regional Airport will be the host site for the World Aerobatic Competition October 9-20, 2013. For more details, please visit www.NorthTexasRegionalAirport.com can be accessed for details.
