Hanscom Aero Club manager earns Air Force honors

  • Published
  • By Kevin Gilmartin
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Steven Bates, Hanscom's Aero Club manager, was recently named the Air Force Community Services Flight Manager of the Year.

The award was recently announced by Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton II, the deputy chief of staff for Manpower and Personnel as part of the 2009 A-1 awards program.

Mr. Bates was recognized for his business acumen in managing the Aero Club in 2009, turning a small loss in fiscal year '08 into a substantial profit. Despite an economic slowdown, Mr. Bates increased Aero Club membership by seven percent and flying time by 12 percent over the previous year. By offering a record six private pilot and instrument ratings courses in 2009, he increased flying hours, attendance and profits.

He revitalized the club's annual open house, adding rides and a "kids' zone," along with model planes and a World War II display. As a result, more than 230 people attended.

According to Nanci Wildman, Force Support Squadron director, Mr. Bate's keen oversight of maintenance led to a reduction of plane repair downtime, dropping from a previous average of three weeks to only one week. He also reorganized the club's operations, reducing the club's aircraft fleet from 14 to the nine top performing planes, saving maintenance costs while accommodating all skill levels.

"Steve is very innovative," Ms. Wildman said. "He minimized member's plane retrieval time by creating a rental ready line of aircraft, which our members loved. He is also laser-focused on safety, and his efforts resulted in no incidents this year, while also contributing to Hanscom earning the Voluntary Protection Program star from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. "

When the base needed a location for the Combat Dining-In in June, Mr. Bates relocated the aircraft and transformed the Aero Club hangar into a "war zone" for the more than 350 Airmen who attended the event. He also revitalized the club's annual open house, adding rides and a "kids' zone," along with model planes and a World War II display. As a result, more than 230 people attended.

Mr. Bates is an active member of the Civil Air Patrol, and participated in a regional natural disaster exercise, preparing him for hurricane season. He taught an Aero Club ground school certification course on wireless communication, a subject he knows well through his serving as president of the local wireless association.

"This Air Force-level award is well deserved, and is an incredible honor for not only Mr. Bates, but for Hanscom as well," said Col. David Orr, 66th Air Base Wing commander. "We are very lucky to have such a great Aero Club that includes a professional cadre of flying enthusiasts who take pride in their unit and fellow pilots. In a year when so many other operations are suffering because of the economy, Steve was able to make significant improvements to the aviation services we offer, while keeping a focus on safety, and turning a profit as well."

The award will be presented to Mr. Bates at the A1 World-Wide Conference and Award Ceremony next week.