The Charbonneau Villager Newspaper 2019 Oct issue Villager newspaper | Page 8

8 THE CHARBONNEAU VILLAGER Aurora Airport By BRUCE BENNETT Did you know hot-rods used to race on the lanes of Aurora Airport? As a long-time pilot based at the Aurora Airport I cannot count the times I’ve heard from neighbors “I BENNETT had NO idea” and “I just drive by it” when they first visit or learn about the airport. This article will be a brief introduction to KUAO (the FAA code for Auro- ra, like KPDX for Portland) and to myself. As far as its transi- tion — KUAO was built during WWII in 1943 as a back-up for KPDX is case KPDX was bombed or got flooded. Charbonneau Golf Club, Inc. By JOE BROUILLETTE From rumor to reality Let me offer the latest update on activities between CCC and CGCI, so you can track our progress. October 2019 After the war it was home to crop-dusters, some personal planes, as well as a few military surplus planes belonging to col- lectors and to some air-freight companies. Right up to the 1960s it was used unofficially but fairly ac- tively as a drag-strip for hot-rod automobiles from the surrounding areas and Portland. KUAO pilots try to avoid overflying Charbon- neau when not required (as they are when flying an instrument ap- proach to the south) and it is an airport goal to be a good neighbor. My family bought property ad- joining KUAO in 1968 and began Aurora Aviation; a “Fixed Base Operation” or FBO (that term is left over from the barn-storming days to describe someone that doesn’t just fly from airport to air- port carrying all their equipment and supplies with them). There are many niches in avia- tion and we covered the five most common: a flight school (including aircraft rentals) aircraft charter, aircraft maintenance, aviation fu- CCC/CGCI Merger Review Q The Golf Club has retained, through our Law Firm, TonkinTorp, the ser- BROUILLETTE vices of Cogence Group, PC. This firm specializes in financial forensics and business valuation. They have been retained to advise on the shareholder value of the golf course. Q This is a necessary and vital step el sales, and aircraft sales. I per- sonally begin working here fuel- ing and cleaning aircraft while in high school in 1974 and stayed here all summer vacation working and taking flight lessons before I was 16. Immediately after high school I joined the Army and spent three years as an aircraft electrician in Germany, then re- turned to KUAO as a professional pilot student funded by the GI Bill. I have worked here continuously since in many capacities including as a flight instructor for land and seaplanes, instruments, multi-en- gines and jets, with a Commercial Pilot Certificate and Airline Transport Rating I have flown very many different types of air- craft including a half dozen types of jets as captain. KUAO is a “general aviation” airport that can never become a “commercial”/airline airport, it has a huge assortment of very in- teresting and critical aviation business such as the two world- class heavy lift helicopter compa- nies that specialize in fire-fighting and environmentally sensitive construction, including power lines. There are two flight schools here (one stand alone and one is part of an FBO) a company that specializes in normal and emer- gency power distribution through- out the nation, an air-ambulance company, multiple law-enforce- ment aircraft, there is a very pop- ular aircraft radio (Avionics) in- stallation and repair facility, an extremely high quality and expe- rienced aerial photography com- pany, one “standard” aircraft maintenance provider, one that specializes in major complex re- pairs and one that specializes in DC-3s, a powerline patrol compa- ny, an aviation fuel provider, and many flight departments for dif- ferent size companies. in determining values to structure any type of merger or acquisition proposal with CCC. Q This work has been ongoing and is in its final stages. We hope to get a report within the next 60 days. Q This structure will represent a competitive venue in appearance, functionality and usability allowing for revenue generation consistent with competitive offerings in the area. Q The size of the facility is 3,300 square feet. Q Building permits have been filed with the City of Wilsonville. Q Bid reviews are underway. Q Contractor selection is expected in October with a four-to-six month es- timate to completion. The Patio Terrace Project Q Build a structure covering the current Patio Terrace structure, capa- ble of hosting events for the Golf Club, Country Club and the Charbonneau community at large. I am happy to volunteer to answer questions at [email protected] and will plan on fu- ture articles on noise, careers, the control tower, traffic patterns, Charbonneau working with KUAO in the past, flight lessons and the like. I’m open to suggestions as well. I see more than just a car. 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