Page 17 - MGA Today - Fall 2016
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MGA FLIGHT PROGRAMS operations of the fuel truck to another MGA
TAKING OFF IN MACON student. Fischer unreels a hose and begins to
pump gasoline into the plane’s wing – in addition
Middle Georgia State University is making to flight training, MGA is now the airport’s Fixed
it easier than ever for Georgians with a Base Operator (FBO), responsible for selling fuel
penchant for pilotage to follow their to aircraft based at the airport and to transient
dreams skyward. flyers who visit Macon or stop in en route to other
locations.
The University is currently in the middle of a
three-year strategic plan to expand its aviation As the fuel flows, Fischer talks about FBO
offerings statewide, and the first phase of that operations. “We’ve increased fuel sales every
plan is well underway at Macon Downtown month since we took over. We sold about 4,000
Airport, where more than 20 students are gallons in September.” About a third of the
currently pursuing their degrees in Flight. Ground airport’s fuel sales actually go to MGA students
school and flight instruction in Macon started in taking one of the University’s fleet of Pipers up
the summer of 2016, and allows MGA students to for training or certification. The majority of the
pursue the same fixed-wing ratings that have long remainder goes to the Georgia Forestry Commis-
been available on the Eastman campus – private, sion, whose flights for the midstate region – call
instrument, commercial, multi-engine, and sign “Smokey” – originate at Macon Downtown.
certified flight instructor (CFI). For the first time in several years, they can now
fuel up at their home airport, and the proceeds
Preflight at noon from those fuel sales will help fund MGA’s
aviation programs in Macon.
Alex Shakkour steps down from the wing of a
purple-and-white Piper Archer, and grabs the flap Another MGA-liveried Piper approaches the
– a large control surface that droops down from far end of the runway, and everyone pauses what
the training edge of the wing. they’re doing long enough to watch it touch
down, slow, and taxi towards the ramp.
“I’m checking the flaps now, just making sure
that they’re deploying and locking into position.” Fischer continues, rattling off a short but
He walks slowly around the plane, checking and distinguished list of state VIP’s who have landed
double-checking every control surface, every light, at the airport since MGA began FBO operations,
every moving part. including Governor Nathan Deal. “It can handle
just about any corporate plane, up to a King Air
“I started flying at 17,” he says, “and started at or a Cessna Citation XL,” says Fischer of the
Georgia Tech. I did three semesters, but I kept airport’s 4,600-foot runway.
skipping class to go flying. I decided I’d better
stick with what I love.” Already carrying a CFI- And airplane, he notes, is not the only way to
Instrument rating for helicopters and his get to Macon Downtown. “We’ve gotten a lot of
Commercial and Instrument ratings for fixed- people just pulling into the parking lot to watch
wing, Shakkour is now getting ready to take his the planes,” says Fischer. “Everyone’s welcome to
exam for his fixed-wing CFI rating. With a dual come in and enjoy the air conditioning, sit at the
rating, he’s looking forward to a career – any windows, talk to us about our programs.”
career – in aviation. “Customs and Border
Protection is hiring right now. I could be a crop Location, Location, Location
duster, fly corporate – anything, really.”
Walking back towards the terminal, where an
A tank truck emblazoned with a Phillips 66 MGA sign hangs over big plate-glass windows
logo pulls up in front of the Archer, and MGA overlooking the ramp, Shakkour gives his top
Assistant Chief Flight Instructor Chad Fischer three reasons for choosing to take his flight
steps onto the tarmac, and begins explaining the courses in Macon, and they come down to the
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Fall 2016 MGA TODAY 17
