The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has honoured Sonoma Jet Center in Santa Rosa, California, as the inaugural recipient of its Above and Beyond FBO Award. The award, launched in March, is presented in recognition of FBOs that demonstrate extraordinary community outreach, excellence in customer service, commitment to safety, a devotion to employee development and giving back to the industry.

Sonoma Jet Center is located at the Charles M. Schulz, Sonoma County airport in the heart of northern California's Sonoma and Napa wine country. Owners Josh and Julia Hochberg are devoted to advancing the next generation of aviators and giving back to the community. Josh is the chairman of the NATA Aviation Business Committee, coordinator of the Young Eagles programme and board member for EAA Chapter 124. He is also a founding member of the North Bay Disaster Area Response Team and a ground school teacher at a local high school. Sonoma Jet Center has also helped its employees start a flying club so they can continue to grow their careers in aviation.

Last year, Josh and Julia created the Sonoma Jet Center Fire Relief Fund, bringing in almost $20,000 to aid airport colleagues who lost their homes and belongings in the 2017 wildfires. The Hochbergs also donated the use of their resources to host a large Sonoma County fire relief event that helped raise over $500,000 to provide emergency and long-term relief to fire victims in the surrounding community. Sonoma Jet Center is IS-BAH Stage II registered and was an early adopter of the Safety 1st Fuel Quality Control Management System.

“Sonoma Jet Center and its leadership are standouts in many areas, including altruism, efforts to inspire future aviation professionals, commitment to promoting industry-standard safety programmes and dedication to giving back to general aviation,” states NATA president Gary Dempsey. “It is a pleasure to acknowledge their outstanding efforts.”

NATA presented the award at its annual Aviation Leadership Conference and also acknowledged Banyan Air Service and Pentastar Aviation.