Project Overview

Bellingham Aviation Services

Overview

Bellingham Aviation Services (BAS) is a woman-owned Fuel Based Operation and Flight School.

Fuel Based Operations (FBO's) are responsible for fueling of all aircraft at an airport; commercial and private.

In addition, Bellingham Aviation is the General Aviation terminal. All private aircraft pilots and passengers will pass through the general aviation terminal during their stay.

International Traffic

Bellingham Airport receives the majority of international traffic in the PNW as all Canadian flights must stop at the US Customs and Border Patrol office. This portion of the airport is part of Bellingham Aviation Service's ramp and all international visitors must come into the BAS building after the customs check.

Environmentally Conscious

Not only do they deal with day-to-day traffic, but Bellingham Aviation Services also prides themselves on acknowledging their impact on the environment and doing what they can through education to better the world they live in. All employees who work with fuel are given comprehensive training for the protection of the environment. If there is a spill at the airport BAS employees are the first line of defense.

One of Bellngham Aviation Services' flight school planes, N3051E

The Next Generation of Pilots

BAS also runs a very successful part-61 flight school teaching students of all levels. Commercial pilots are currently in very high demand as the baby-boomer generation is retiring out of aviation. This means that airlines all over the country are hiring and therefore flight schools are packed with students. Commercial piloting can be a lucrative career and the first step is gaining a private pilot's license at a school much like Bellingham Aviation Services.

With three full-time and many part-time instructors, BAS Flight School has their hands full. Each instructor has anywhere from two to eight students at a time. The Customer Service Reps are the main point of contact for all flight students to the flight school.

Kathleen Melbo - BAS Office Manager

Kathleen has worked in aviation for 15 years. She runs Bellingham Aviation Services smoothly and works to be inclusive and supportive of all staff. She is often heard saying that when she takes care of her employees, they will take care of the customers. Her attitude towards her employees created a productive work environment, creating an even better environment for the patrons using the various services offered at an FBO.

Project Learning Objectives

There were two main objectives that I wanted to focus on over the course of the project:

To learn proper interview procedures and preparations
To gain a better understanding by creating and implementing training materials.