Item N5BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: Wed. Jan. 19, 2011 Division: BOCC
Bulk Item: Yes No AX Department: Comm. David Rice
Staff Contact /Phone #: Tamara Lamarche, X6000
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval of P1ayGround Entertainment, Inc. dba/ Bahamas
Express, Charter Operator and ADF Charter Corp dba/ AirStar, AirStar Executive Airways,
Direct Air Carrier to provide scheduled flight operations at the Florida Keys Marathon Airport
between Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Marathon, Florida; to use counter, office space, passenger
departure and arrival areas in the terminal building, the commercial ramp for arriving and
departing aircraft and overnight parking of company aircraft; and to have applicable standard
rates and charges waived for the aforementioned facilities use for a period of one year from the
date of commencement of service; contingent upon compliance with Monroe County
Administrative Instruction 2301.5, Commercial Airline Application Procedure for Monroe County
Airports, and review and approval by the County Attorney and appropriate County staff.
ITEM BACKGROUND: Bahamas Express and AirStar Executive Airways propose beginning a
scheduled flight operation between Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Marathon, Florida. Bahamas Express
holds a DOT Part 380 public charter license and AirStar Executive Airways is a Part 135 operator.
They would like to explore the necessity for 2 — 3 round trip flights per week between the two cities.
Their proposal and a synopsis of AirStar Executive Airways are attached hereto.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: n/a
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES: n/a
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
TOTAL COST: n/a INDIRECT COST: BUDGETED: Yes No
DIFFERENTIAL OF LOCAL PREFERENCE:
COST TO COUNTY: use of underutilized existing facilities SOURCE OF FUNDS:
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes No X AMOUNT PER MONTH Year
APPROVED BY: County Atty pend OMB/Purchasing pend Risk Management pend
DOCUMENTATION:
DISPOSITION:
Revised 7/09
Included X Not Required
AGENDA ITEM #
Bahamas Express and Airstar Aviation would like to propose beginning a scheduled flight operation
between Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Marathon, Florida.
Bahamas Express holds a DOT Part 380 public charter license 10-228. This license in conjunction with
EAR Part 135 operators allows us to provide this service. we have a attached a copy of our Part 380
agreement between Bahamas express and Airstar Aviation which will further define the regulations
under which we are required to operate in and effort to protect both the customers and the operators.
These guideline guarantee through DOT regulation that all flights be completed before transfers of
funds can be released to Bahamas Express and Airstar Aviation. By working under the framework of the
regulations it will serve as a reassurance to the Marathon community that we will operate to our
schedule at all times.
Initially we would like to explore the necessity for 2-3 round trip flights per week between the two cities.
With a focused effort on all of our parts we feel that we can provide a Reliable, consistent and safe
experience for the residents and tourist of Marathon and the middle keys. we feel with the
establishment of a reliable service, Marathon airport and the surrounding areas will benefit from the
added accessibility to the area.
Bahamas express was established to provide Part 135 organizations with a turnkey Sales, Marketing and
customer service solution while providing them the additional growth potential under our DOT 380
umbrella. By utilizing our additional Part 380 agreements such as PC 10-151 with Aerborne Aviation Ltd.
We are able to provide an added layer of redundancy in the event an aircraft is unavailable. This
multilayer approach to coverage ensures the consistent service this market needs.
As a part of this informational packet we have provided as much of the information as available
requested on your Commercial Airline Application checklist. As this is not a traditional Part 121 or 135
commuter application some items do not specifically apply. we can provide you with any additional
information you may need upon request.
We look forward to this opportunity to serve your community together with Airstar Aviation for many
years to come.
The following documents are attached:
Bahamas Express DOT Part 380 liscense
Bahamas Express/Airstar Aviation Part 380 DOT agreement
Airstar Aviation Part 135 Certificate
A letter from the FAA certifying that Airstar Aviation has a clean background with no violations, incident
or accidents.
Airstar Aviation Proof of liability insurance
. WA .�
,M
44
ADF Charter, Corp. DBA "A irStar"
9850 overseas Highway
Marathon, Florida 33050
Synopsis
ADF Charter Corporation dba
AirStar Executive Airways
ADF Charter Corporation was founded in 2002 at Tamiami Airport in Miami, Florida.
Until 2007 ADF Charter was operated as a single aircraft operation in conjunction with
ADF Airways, a large flight school, at the same location.
In May of 2007 ADF Charter Corp was purchased by James Baker, Ray Bailey and Peter
Rosasco of Marathon and the operation moved to the Marathon Airport. As required by
FAA, we hired a Director of Operations, Captain Robert Eby, a 40 year veteran of
commercial airlines and a Chief Pilot, Captain Robert Firth, another FAA approved
veteran of the airlines. Both have extensive experience in FAA Part 121 , 13 5 and Cargo
Operations. Captain James Baker has now been approved by FAA as Chief Pilot.
Operations have continued to the present day at the Marathon Airport. Since acquisition,
we have added larger and more modern aircraft and now in conjunction with Bahamas
Express we feel that we are ready to take the next step into scheduled service from
Marathon to Ft. Lauderdale.
As a condition of the sale in 2007 we were required to work under a "dba" which is now
"AirStar."
AirStar has served the Cities of Marathon, Key west, Islamorada and the remainder of
the Keys with a spotless record of no violations, no accidents and an ARGUS rating of
Platinum, the highest safety rating attainable. We share an excellent relationship with the
FAA and DOT and have both of their blessings regarding this venture.
We feel that in our joint venture with Bahamas Express we can continue to offer reliable,
safe air charter services to the Florida Keys and now step up to the next level and
establish scheduled service to Ft. Lauderdale International first and expand our routes to
the other major Florida airports in the near future as the need arises.
Please feel free to contact me should you require further information.
Respectfully,
ja*ne* M, Faker
James M. Baker
President and CEO
Phone; 305.395.6289 — Fax: 305.390.8757
Email: A irStar,&com cast. net
Thomson -Julie
From:
AirStar [ai rstar @ corn cast. net]
Sent: Tuesday, January 11, 2011 3:17 PM
To:
Thomson -Julie
Cc:
Peter Rosasco
Subject: Fw: Marathon Airport Terminal Request
Reggie and Julie,
I have added one more line to our request per Peter Rosasco's instructions.
Thanks,
Jim
Original Message
Frorn. ArStar
To: Julie Thomson
Co. Scott Lehr; Peter Rosasco;
Bay...Bailey,, David Guest
Sent: Tuesday, January 1112011 1:30 PM
Subject: Marathon Airport Terminal Request
January 11 1 2011
Reggie Paros - Airport Director
RE: AirStar Airways
Bahamas Express
Dear Mr. Paros,
I have forwarded all requested documents required to begin the process of doing our scheduled
flights at the Marathon Airport Terminal.
We are formallv reciuestinQ that all fees be waived for the Period of one ygar for:
Use of counter and office space In the terminal building.
Access and use of passenger departure and arrival areas in the terminal building.
Access and use of ramp for arriving and departing aircraft In the terminal area.
Overnight parking of company aircraft and waiver of any arrival or departure fees for passengers and
company aircraft.
Please advise as to any additional information that you will require. I truly appreciate your prompt and
professional handling of this matter.
Regards,
Jim Baker
305.923-8783
James M. Baker
President & CEO
AirStar Executive Airways
25000 Overseas Highway
Summerland Key, FL 33042
www.AirStarAir.com
Cell — 305.923-8783