Charter air firm seeks home at VW airport

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A Van Wert County native is hoping to bring a charter air passenger service to the Van Wert County Regional Airport.

Cathy Woodyard, a Lincolnview High School graduate whose mother also taught in the district, is also CEO of AvAir, an incorporated company that plans to offer charter passenger flights to area businesses and individuals.

Woodyard gave the commissioners and Economic Development Director Sarah Smith a PowerPoint presentation on the company, and its future plans, on Tuesday.

Woodyard, who has a master’s degree in aeronautical science, as well as a private pilot’s license, said the company is currently in the final stages of receiving certification from the Federal Aviation Administration to provide charger passenger flights. Woodyard said she estimates the company would receive the certification in the next month or so.

Woodyard also touted the benefits to businesses of having a private air charter company based in Van Wert County, noting that AvAir plans to keep costs competitive with major airlines’ first-class fares, while offering the benefit of direct flights, with no lengthy layovers or involved security check-ins.

The company will also offer some charter flights to private individuals as well, noting that a trip to Columbus for an Ohio State football game would take about 20 minutes from Van Wert. AvAir would also provide transportation to and from the airport for its business and private customers, Woodyard noted.

Woodyard, who is currently a senior maintenance analyst for airfreight giant Federal Express, said her education and her current position have given her all the knowledge she needs to make AvAir a successful company. She added that she and her partner, Joe Moske, a corporate pilot for FedEx, plan to keep their jobs at FedEx for awhile after AvAir begins operations, but eventually hope to devote all of their time to their new company.

Woodyard also noted that the company plans to get its own bank financing for the project to avoid losing control of the company ensure it stays based in Van Wert County. She added that the company would likely lease a hangar until it had the finances to build its own facilities.

Smith told Woodyard the county would consider providing a $40,000 Revolving Loan Fund to the company after it receives its FAA certification to help fund operation of the company.

The Lincolnview grad said that, while the company could be based anywhere, she wanted to base it here to provide benefits to the county where she grew up.

“I think this could be a very good thing for Van Wert County,” Woodyard noted.

More meetings are planned following AvAir’s receipt of its FAA certification.