By Patricia Pagán
This article is part of a companion series to “Engines of Economic Development: West Virginia’s Airports,” which appeared in the Fall 2020 issue of West Virginia Executive magazine.
Tamarack is a wonderful place to rest and stretch while traveling, grab a cup of coffee and see some of the best of West Virginia. When residents or visitors are flying instead of driving, they may have similar needs—but where can the pilot, flight crew and passengers find the same reprieve in Southern West Virginia? David and Lindy Neely have taken that into account and created a one-stop respite for the aviation community inside the headquarters of Jet America, located at the Greenbrier Valley Airport (LWB) in Lewisburg.
The Neelys started by creating a facility for air crew and passengers that prefer a little more privacy when arriving or departing, with some extras for the flight crew. These include a fitness room equipped with a treadmill, rowing machine, stationary bicycle, inversion table, free weights and a full-spectrum infrared sauna. With this much opportunity to work up a sweat, Jet America added a shower and laundry facilities as well.
The well-appointed lobby is completely aviation themed with a massage chair, phone charging station, wide-screen TV, free high-speed internet, computer station and fully stocked coffee bar. Like Tamarack, Jet America’s accommodations also include new and accessible bathroom facilities.
”Our belief is if we all pull together to make the best impression we can by providing really good service to the entire group of the flying community, it will ultimately build confidence with those crew members and passengers regarding the perception of flying in and out of LWB,” says David, owner and CEO of Jet America. “Our challenge here is to create and provide the best possible service we can since we are dealing with customers that expect top-shelf services for what they are paying to enjoy their flying experience.”
The Neelys moved their company to Southern West Virginia after 30 years of flying out of Florida and seeing much of the world, as they recognized the overall benefits of West Virginia life, with its freshwater streams, mountains, outdoor recreation and, above all, the friendly people. David grew up in Beckley and when he and Lindy were ready to leave the big-city environment of South Florida, they decided to move back to West Virginia and closer to family. Their aviation company also made the move to LWB.
“We are trying to take the best bits and pieces of what we have learned over the past three decades and package it all together in one location with one phone call—anything aviation,” David says of his plan to grow Jet America. “For years, we have provided aircraft brokering services with the buying or selling of all categories of private aircraft, from smaller prop aircraft to the largest Gulfstream and Bombardier jets.”
By taking the complication out of the process of buying and selling corporate jets and providing a maintenance and inspection service, Jet America is able to keep the region’s base of aircraft supported, which helps with the numbers and stats that keep Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding for the LWB control tower, since each takeoff and landing generates a much needed recorded operation. The 10,000-square-foot hangar offers storage and de-icing, both critical in the winter season.
Currently, Jet America is locating charter flights for customers that require or want to try the experience of flying privately, and the company has acquired its first aircraft, a Lear 31A, capable of cruising at 550 miles per hour, at altitudes as high as 51,000 feet and up to 1,400 miles non-stop. The required FAA licensing is in the works and the jet, and with its wide door and optional external baggage mod, it could serve the community for medical transportation as well. For example, from Lewisburg to the Cleveland Clinic should only be about 55 minutes in the air. Since Lindy is an experienced flight nurse, this service would easily dovetail into a whole new venture for the Neelys, which would once again greatly increase their company’s value in the Greenbrier Valley.
Although the initial effects of the pandemic created what was an almost total shutdown, it is now creating an opportunity within private aircraft operations and transportation. In March, the airport became terribly slow with almost no operations or arrivals and departures, but by the end of April, traffic began to pick up. Arrivals and departures of private flights have brought traffic back to pre-pandemic normal levels, and not only is through traffic to the airport increasing, to-traffic has as well, with many pilots looking to move their families to the community as they search for safety and space. They, like the Neelys, recognize that they can have all the conveniences they need in the rural setting of the Greenbrier Valley and have the benefit of living in the beauty and friendliness of the community.
This trend is not a one-way street as these new arrivals could provide growth—not only in the aviation industry but in other growth-related areas such as the construction of new homes and developments and in additional tax revenues. This is not the only foreseeable increase in job creation.
Until recently, the nearest ground transportation companies were in Roanoke and Charleston, and bringing those services into the airport meant high additional fees for passengers. The Neelys often found themselves helping stranded pilots and crews with transportation to destinations in Greenbrier County, and although this garnered them great reviews on aviation websites, they saw a need and filled it. Jet America now has a ground transportation company that includes cars and a gleaming, black stretch limousine. Driving for this new venture could create a second income for retirees who enjoy meeting new people.
“We hope Jet America is a stepping stone for the Greenbrier Valley Airport and the efforts we are making can someday help create that next new hangar to be built, the addition of pilots looking for a great place to raise their family or the mechanic that wants to work on airplanes and loves aviation but hasn’t found the environment that can provide weekend camping or fishing pastime fun for his family,” says David.
As a community-minded couple, the Neelys also provide tours and visits for organizations, schools and fellow citizens as they continue working out their vision of creating a welcoming environment for their clients.
“Jet America is a good tenant at Greenbrier Valley Airport and provides critical services for its customers. We are excited to see them positioning themselves for future growth at the airport,” says Brian Belcher, director of Greenbrier Valley Airport.
Jet America has indeed looked to the future and created the respite for the flying public as the company simultaneously raises the profile of the area by restoring private aviation services in a locale that showcases the beauty of Southern West Virginia.
About the Author
Patricia Pagán is a native of Long Island, NY, who moved to the beautiful state of West Virginia as soon as she could and adopted it as her home 22 years ago. She is an economic development manager for the Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Corporation and leads the AeroReady Task Force for the Greenbrier Valley Airport.
