Page 20 - Twin & Turbine January 2018

WHO:
Lynn Nichols
HOMEBASE:
Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport Wichita, KS
POSITION:
Chairman/CEO of Yingling Aviation, a 71-year-old company
Board Member, Doc’s Friends and GAMA
RATINGS:
Private, Multi-Engine,
by Rebecca Groom Jacobs 1. Can you summarize Yingling’s history serving the aviation community? Where do you
envision the company going in the future?
Since 1946, Yingling Aviation has provided general aviation services from aircraft sales to maintenance to interiors. We’ve also had a unique and close relationship with Textron Aviation as an authorized service facility for Cessna and Beechcraft. In recent years, a core focus of ours has been improving our processes and equipment. Aircraft today are more robust with technology, powerplant and engineering, so it is critical our people have the knowledge and resources required to service these aircraft.
Future-wise, we are seeing expansion across multiple areas. Our propeller repair shop has expanded three times in three years. And in 2018, we are breaking ground on a new, expanded maintenance facility as well as adding aircraft paint to our list of services.
2. Can you describe your current view on the activity and strength of the GA market?
I’m optimistic. By all appearances, the economy is beginning to show some traction for aircraft purchases, both new and used. Pricing seems to be firming up and aircraft utilization is increasing based on the most recent measurements by NBAA. We see it at Yingling with increased activity with aircraft movements on the ramp and fuel sales. Maintenance, avionics, interiors, props, including parts were all up over the last year. Privatization is still a concern, as well as the need for long-term, predictable tax reform. But overall, I’m feeling like this might be the real deal this time around.
3. How are we as an industry going to help grow the general aviation pilot community and attract millennials to flying?
If we do not invest in attracting young people to aviation careers, it will hurt all of us. At Yingling, we have introduced the new concept of remanufacturing an older 172, whereby we essentially perform a complete refresh of the aircraft spinner to tail with new avionics and a significantly attractive purchase price to help lower the hourly rental cost for student pilots. This way students hopefully finish lessons instead of
18 • TWIN & TURBINE
January 2018