Story ID: 
ProJet opens third FBO
By: AIN Staff
Caption: ProJet Aviation, which already operates FBOs at Manassas (Va.) Regional and Winchester (Va.) Regional airports in the metropolitan Washington area, officia
Word Count: 394
ProJet Aviation, which already operates FBOs at Manassas (Va.) Regional and Winchester (Va.) Regional airports in the metropolitan Washington area, officially opened its third facility early last month with a ribbon-cutting at Leesburg Executive Airport, 10 nm northwest of Dulles.
Six corporate aircraft are already based at Leesburg Jet Center, which features more than 25,000 sq ft of hangar and office space. In addition to ground and flight support for corporate aircraft, ProJet provides jet fuel services at Leesburg (JYO) through a distribution agreement with AvFuel. 

“It has always been part of our growth plan to operate a full-service jet center at a premier location,” said Shye Gilad, ProJet Aviation CEO. “Our partnership with AvFuel allows us to offer the most competitive fuel rates in the region, and the Leesburg Executive Airport is the best location for travelers who want priority access to the metropolitan Washington, D.C., area.”

JYO has a 5,500-foot runway with a capacity of 60,000 pounds. An ILS is being installed and will be operational in November. Future growth plans include a runway extension and a control tower. 

The Leesburg Jet Center will serve as the principal base of operations for ProJet’s growing fleet of charter aircraft. The aircraft management and charter company specializes in private jet management, worldwide charter flights, aviation consulting and acquisition services. ProJet is one of the few operators in the Washington area that holds Transportation Security Administration approval for operations at Ronald Reagan Wash- ington National Airport (DCA). 

Two of the based aircraft–a Gulfstream IV and a Piaggio Avanti II–are operated by companies owned by entrepreneur and philanthropist Sheila Johnson, a cofounder of BET Television. The GIV is the largest aircraft based at Leesburg.

“ProJet has enabled us to achieve savings in every aspect of our operations,” said Stuart Haney, president and COO of Johnson’s business interests. “This is a great alternative to Dulles: fuel and hangar space is a fraction of the cost, and we incur no landing or ramp fees.

“Despite an extra eight minutes to the Leesburg airport versus Dulles, with a greatly reduced taxi time at Leesburg, we can be in the air more quickly, saving us time and money,” he added.