CAPE CENTRAL AIRWAYS IS SOLD TO AN ARKANSAS BUSINESSMAN

Cape Central Airways has been purchased by an Arkansas aviation businessman.

Sale of the airport fixed base operation was confirmed Sunday by its new owner, Mark Spatz, 28, of Magnolia, Ark. Spatz has moved to Cape Girardeau. He is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with degrees in aeronautical and astronautical engineering.

Spatz purchased the business from Reggie Hopwood, who acquired it in 1987.

"We closed the deal last Wednesday, and made the announcement Thursday morning to all of the employees," said Spatz. "I want to emphasize right off that there will be no significant changes. No different employees. Everybody who is working now will still be there.

"We've got a real good crew of employees at Cape Central. I'm very happy with them and we want to hang on to all of them."

Spatz said Cape Girardeau should expect to see "some very calculated, healthy growth from here on out" in the fixed base operation.

Cape Central Airways, which was formed in 1950, provides services at the airport that includes aircraft sales, maintenance, fuel sales and flight training.