Story ID: 356 Desert Jet
Desert Jet Moving Ahead on New FBO
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: After months of legal and bureaucratic entanglements, the California-based aviaiton services provider is on track for a March opening.
Word Count: 353
Desert Jet Center, one of three FBOs at Thermal California’s Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport, is reporting progress on its new terminal and hangar facility. After being stalled for months in a battle with the airport authority, the company received the green light to begin construction, and it has since wasted little time, completing the concrete slab for the foundation, while the steel framing has begun on the 32,500-sq-ft general aviation facility.

To celebrate its progress, Desert Jet Center will be hosting a “Raise the Roof” event and dedication at the location on November 1 and expects to open the facility in the first quarter of next year. Though the NATA Safety 1st-qualified company has operated from a temporary facility ever since it expanded its charter and maintenance operations to include aircraft fueling and handling two years ago, it was recently the named the first FBO in Southern California to achieve Stage II registration in ICAO’s International Standard for Business Aviation Handling (IS-BAH). The voluntary code's industry best practices are verified through an independent audit.

“Desert Jet Center’s mission to 'give them the wow' is built on three pillars; proactive safety, anticipatory service, and state-of-the-art facilities,” said Denise Wilson, president and CEO of parent company Desert Jet. “Achieving IS-BAH Stage II demonstrates the team’s commitment to safety, while they are simultaneously building their impressive new facility.” She added that the location's high ratings and positive feedback are testimony to its level of service. The CAA-preferred FBO, which is appearing at NBAA’s annual convention as part of the Epic Fuels contingent (Booth 2000), has achieved a 16 percent increase in traffic at the airport since 2016.

Desert Jet is also exhibiting its charter and Part 145 maintenance capabilities at the show (Booth 5063). The Thermal-based operator recently renewed its International Standard for Business Aviation Operations (IS-BAO) Stage III registration. It currently has 10 aircraft in its managed fleet, ranging from a Bombardier Challenger 300 down to a Cessna Citation Mustang, eight of which are available for charter. Wilson expects to add several more aircraft under management in the fourth quarter.