SHAMOKIN — Todd Aungst, the owner of Penn Selin Air Center, the new tenant at Northumberland County Airport, has a plan that could land a charter service in the region, possibly within six months.
“Right now, if people need to get to commercial jet airports, they have to go long distances, to Williamsport, Harrisburg or Wilkes-Barre,” Aungst said. “Our service would facilitate consumer traveling to those larger airlines in much faster time. But first we need to get a Charter Certificate.”
Aungst said he is working with the Federal Aviation Agency, in Harrisburg, to get that license.
Transportation would be in a smaller, twin-propeller airplane, which could hold up to five passengers.
Meanwhile, Penn Selin, which made the move from Penn Valley Airport, in Selinsgrove, to Northumberland County Airport, in Shamokin, in September 2008, is emphasizing its aircraft mechanical services and active flight school.
“We’re glad to be here,” Aungst said of his new home. But he realizes that Penn Selin has to overcome the bad publicity the airport garnered when Brian D. Snyder, the owner of its previous tenant, Smooth Landings, was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to forging the name of another mechanic for annual inspections and aircraft repairs, and backdating unauthorized maintenance performed after his licenses were revoked.
Snyder admitted transporting a stolen aircraft across state lines.
“We’re a whole new game here. We have nothing to do with Snyder, and I hope the community will recognize this,” Aungst said.
Penn Selin has been in business since 1987. “It’s my dream to grow this business,” Aungst said. “I enjoy the various hats I wear.”
When he isn’t running Penn Selin, he pilots a local business’ corporate jet, a Citation.
“I fly the ... jet two or three times a week out of Penn Valley Airport. All together, I’ve probably logged about 11,000 hours in their jet.”
Penn Selin offers fliers a variety of aircraft: Cessnas, Beechcraft and Piper single and double engine planes.
At the flight school, Aungst said, prices can cost $130 per hour; less if multiple hours are bought in advance. The instructor charges an additional $30 per hour.
News
Related Photos
-
Robert Inglis/The Daily Item
Discussion
Tenant hopes to bring charter flights to airport
- News
-
-
Jokester cop tased intern at station
NORTHUMBERLAND — A Northumberland police detective claims in a lawsuit filed Wednesday he was wrongly blamed after an officer shot an intern with a Taser gun while fooling around at the police station in December.
-
Midd-West taxpayers face increase of $109
MIDDLEBURG — The Midd-West School District on Thursday night announced an average property tax increase of $109 to help offset its $1.8 million budget deficit for the 2012-13 school year.
Midd-West will also close two elementary schools, consolidate two middle schools, cut programs and furlough seven teachers and 23 other staff members. -
LARA: Charred bridge sound
LEWISBURG — The fire-damaged railroad bridge crossing the Susquehanna River at Lewisburg is structurally sound following the March fire that discolored steel and charred roughly 400 ties, the Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority said at its meeting Thursday.
-
Stat of the Day: $2.6 million
Stat of the Day: $2.6 million.
That's what President Barack Obama has spent on advertising in Iowa, which may be a battleground state in November's election against presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney.
-
Northampton County jury sentences man to death in officer killing
EASTON — Jurors in eastern Pennsylvania have sentenced a man to death for fatally shooting a police officer last summer.
-
'To Do': Ambulance Anniversary
DANVILLE - The Danville Ambulance Service will celebrate its 60th anniversary with a free pig roast open to the public starting at noon May 25 at the service on A Street.
-
Judge denies convicted teen's request to attend vocational school
MIDDLEBURG — The teen convicted of causing a March 2010 car crash that killed two classmates will not be allowed to leave jail to attend a vocational school.
-
Private supply ship flies by space station in test
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The world's first private supply ship flew tantalizingly close to the International Space Station on Thursday, acing a critical test in advance of the actual docking.
-
Forecasters: 9 to 15 storms this hurricane season
MIAMI — U.S. forecasters predicted Thursday that this year's Atlantic hurricane season would produce a normal number of about nine to 15 tropical storms.
-
Police Log 05.24.12
A roundup of police news reported by departments across the Central Susquehanna Valley.
-
60 and counting: Laptop
A laptop computer has changed my life.
-
10 Things to Know Today
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today (times EDT):
- More News Headlines
-
Jokester cop tased intern at station
