Thanksgiving Potluck

The Jet Group Hosts Annual Thanksgiving Potluck

Central's Jet Group led by David Smith hosted their annual Thanksgiving potluck on Wednesday November 16th in the Jet Group breakroom. Central's other departments both helped to supply and consume the many wonderful dishes made by fellow employees. Stomachs were well fed and egos well stroked on a presampling of Thanksgiving a week early.

Central Achieves 450,000 Flight Hours

Central Flying Service logs 450,000 flight hours since 1939

On June 10th 2011, Central's Flight Training department completed a one hour flight lesson to earn 450,000 flight hours flown since 1939. Aziz Alahmari, of Maumelle, was the lucky pilot who completed the last hour to total 450,000 flight hours for Central Flying Service. Aziz began his private pilot training at Central in June 2009. Aziz flew with his flight instructor, Cody Castile, who is himself a recent graduate of Central's flight school. Aziz has been working on his Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) rating and should be completed with his professional ratings by the end of the summer. As a dedicated student of aviation who has received excellent reviews form all his instructors, Aziz plans to continue his journey with Central Flying Service as a CFI upon completion of his studies.

Governor's Work-Life Balance Award

Central is honored with the Spotlight Award at the annual luncheon & award ceremony

Monday May 9, 2011 - Central Flying Service was honored today at the annual luncheon & award ceremony for the Governor's Work-Life Balance Award. Central earned the Spotlight Award for the creative approach in promoting a healthy balance between work and family issues in an economic time of need.

Retirement News

Betty's Bon Voyage

We said farewell to our Charter Dispatcher/Scheduler of 21 years, Betty D'Angelo, on April 28th of this year. Betty began her position here at Central on October 22, 1990 and was bestowed with many honors through the years with her final award as the 2011 NBAA Flying Safety Award. We congratulate her and wish her the best in her retirement. Click Here to read more about Betty in her farewell letter.

2010 Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame

The Arkansas Aviation Historical Society's 31st Annual Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame - October 28, 2010

This year's inductees are three more distinguished aviators that have helped contribute to Arkansas's aviation history. They are Brigadier General Paul Page Douglas of Paragould, Mary Frances Silitch of Parkdale and James C. "Bud" Mars who conducted the first flight in Arkansas in 1910. For more information and ticket prices please contact Ann Jones of the Aerospace Education Center.

Click Here for a sneak peak of menu from Golden Corral(R).

Celebrating 100 Years of Flight in Arkansas

Governor Mike Beebee has issued a proclamation declaring May 21, 2010 as James C. "Bud" Mars Day

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Bud Mars flew his Curtiss biplane over League Field in Fort Smith on May 21, 1910 as part of an aviation exhibition becoming the first to fly an airplane in the state. Bud will be inducted into the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame on Ocotber 28, 2010. Click Here to view the proclamation.

NATA Safety 1st eToolkit – – Issue 45 – September 15, 2008 Page 6 NATA Safety 1st eToolkit

HURRICANE GUSTAV – CENTRAL FLYING SERVICE MAKES GA PROUD

The Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System Emergency Medical Response Team (CAVHS EMRT) was activated August 30, 2008 through the National Disaster Medical System to triage civilian medical patients from Louisiana hospitals who were considered in the path of hurricane Gustav. EMRT worked with MEMS and the all the local community hospitals in the Central Arkansas area to provide care to 224 patients. Thirteen military C-130 and C-17 brought patients to Central Flying Service over a 24 hour period.

Don and Dick Holbert, 2006 Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame Inductees

On November 9, 2006, the Arkansas Aviation Historical Society inducted Central Flying's Don and Dick Holbert into the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame.

The Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame annually honors Arkansans who have made significant contributions to the aviation and aerospace industries.

Don Holbert is co-owner and Chairman of the Board of Central Flying Service, Inc. Don began his aviation career at age 14 and soloed the day following his 16th birthday. By age 20, Don received his instructor’s license and began teaching for Central Flying Service, founded by his father, Claud Holbert. Don graduated from Wentworth Military Academy in 1957 and, then, attended Ouachita Baptist University, graduating in 1961 and receiving a commission with distinction in the Army through the ROTC program. He entered active duty in 1962 and for the ensuing 6 ˝ years, served in a variety of posts. His service culminated with a tour in Vietnam as a helicopter gunship pilot and platoon leader. Holbert was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with “V” device for valor, 31 air medals, Bronze Star and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.

Following his military career, Don returned to Central to serve as Vice President – Operations. In 1971 Don founded Airport Services, Inc, which provides aircraft fueling service to commercial airlines that serve Little Rock, and has delivered an estimated half a billion gallons of fuel to date. Upon the retirement of his father, Holbert was promoted to Central’s President and to Chairman of the Board in 1981. Holbert also served as a board member to the National Air Transportation Association, an organization that represents general aviation interests in Washington. He currently serves on the Board of Visitors, Wentworth Military Academy and the Executive Advisory Board of the Frank D. Hikingotham School of Business at Ouachita Baptist University.

Don has an Airline Transport License with privileges in single and multi engine airplanes and Learjets. He has accumulated 5,000 flying hours, half in fixed wing aircraft and half in helicopters.

Dick Holbert, a Little Rock native and Central High graduate, became the youngest pilot in the U.S. on his 17th birthday and on his 18th, the youngest commercial pilot in America. Richard received a degree in Business Management from the University of Arkansas and his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center while working on the staff of Arkansas Senator J. W. Fulbright. He entered the U.S. Army in 1969, serving as a Captain, Military Police Corps through 1972, He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his service.

Following his military service, Dick returned to Central Flying Service, becoming President in 1981, the position he currently holds. Dick and his brother Don guided the growth of Central over the years continuing the company’s tradition of establishing many aviation firsts for the state. Central is Arkansas’ oldest aviation business. Today, it is the largest full service fixed base operation in the world (measured by square feet under roof – over 550,000).

To preserve Arkansas aviation history and establish the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame, Dick co-founded (with Eddie Holland) the Arkansas Aviation Historical Society in 1979, serving as its founding President and serving as its President or Chairman continuously until 2005. He led the establishment of the Aerospace Education Center, home to Arkansas’ only IMAX theater and the world’s first EpiSphere digital planetarium. Dick and Donald, have donated numerous aircraft and artifacts to the Society, most notably the Center’s Sopwith Camel, the only original Camel in the U.S.

1501 Bond Street - Little Rock, Arkansas 72202    PHONE: 501-375-3245 - FAX: 501-375-7274
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