FIRST FULL-TIME MANAGER OF AIRPORT RESIGNS TO LEAD FIXED BASED OPERATIONS

Cape Girardeau Airport Manager Mark Seesing is leaving his position Friday to become operations manager for Cape Central Airways, Inc., the fixed base operator (FBO) at the airport.

When he was appointed in 1989, Seesing became the first full-time manager in the airport's history.

City Manager J. Ronald Fischer said Seesing's resignation takes effect Friday. Seesing will begin his new job at Cape Central Airways around the first of March.

"I look at this as a very positive step for the city and Cape Central Airways," Fischer said. "We all know how important it is to the city and the airport to have a strong FBO down there, and now we have someone who is very knowledgeable of the needs of the city and well-experienced in the day-to-day operations of the airport. It's a win-win situation for all of us."

Seesing sees the move as an opportunity to get back into the commercial side of aviation by becoming more involved in fixed base operations and Federal Air Regulation 135 air taxi service.

As an FBO, Cape Central Airways provides general aviation services at the airport, including refueling of aircraft as well as engine, airframe and electronics maintenance. It also provides un-scheduled air taxi charter service, and pilot training.

"I look at the fixed base operation as the most important part of the airport," Seesing said. "The FBO provides basic aviation services to transient aircraft and pilots that travel across the country. When they stop at Cape Girardeau, their first impression of our city is the fixed base operator. I want to make sure it's a favorable impression. A good FBO service will attract business to our airport and to the region."

Seesing said the Cape Girardeau airport is a valuable asset to the city and the region. "This is one of the best airports in the region. Nobody else has what we have as far as navigation aids and instrument landing system and ground support," he said. "We're heads above everybody else. As operations manager at Cape Central Airways, I intend to do whatever I can to encourage more usage of this aviation asset."

Seesing is no stranger to aviation. In fact, his job as operations manager is similar to one he held with Cape Central Airways prior to his appointment in August 1989 as airport manager.

Seesing's father, John T. Seesing, is one of the pioneers of civil aviation in Cape Girardeau. Together with the late John Godwin and James Schumacher, Seesing founded Cape Central Airways in 1950, after purchasing the assets of the old Consolidated School of Aviation that trained Army Air Force pilots during World War II.

Mark Seesing is a 1978 graduate of Notre Dame High School. He graduated in 1981 from Texas State Technical Institute at Waco with an applied science degree in aviation business and airport management.

Seesing also worked for Britt Airways and Air Illinois, two commuter airlines that previously operated here.

Fischer said a search is under way to replace Seesing.

"We'll be replacing Mark with someone who has a strong background in aviation, airport management and marketing skills," he said. "We want someone who can manage the day-to-day operation of the airport, and promote and market the airport and the services it has to offer to existing business and industry, and try to attract new business to the airport and this area."