PRESTIGE AIR EXPECTS TO TAKE FLIGHT BY WINTER

Cape Girardeau Regional Airport will make history when its second fixed-base operator and charter company develops into a full-blown operation.

The second FBO, Prestige Air Services, will join Air Evac Inc. as a fixed-base operator at the airport. There have never been two FBOs at the airport.

Prestige Air president Duane Beussink said he expects to be in full operation by the end of the year. The only hurdles to clear are completion of building plans and setting a date when contractors can break ground on a hangar.

"We estimate that it will take 120 days once construction begins," Beussink said. "It takes that long to get permits in line and for the contractor to build a hangar."

Prestige Air manager Sharon Dunn said the company is currently operating a freight charter business at the airport with one airplane. "Once we get a hangar we'll bring in four more planes and have a passenger and freight charter operation," Dunn said.

The hangar is expected to be 15,000 square feet.

Interim City Manager Doug Leslie said Prestige Air must submit complete building plans before the company can begin construction of a hangar.

"They already have the excavation permit, so the only thing left is the building plans," said Leslie.

Prestige has a 15-year lease with the city. It announced its intentions of becoming an FBO in August 1994.

"It has taken awhile to get everything in line, but once we break ground it should come together quickly," said Beussink.

Dunn said Prestige is also considering operating a flight-training class that would be offered by Southeast Missouri State University. "Once we get our approval from the Federal Aviation Administration, we can approach the university about the flight training school," he said.