United Companies Air Center (formerly Tri-State Aero), an FBO based at Evansville Regional airport, has started the new year making sweeping updates to its Indiana operation, including expanding the scope of its services to encompass charter services. United now owns a Cessna Citation CJ3 through one of its entities Bright Sky, and the aircraft is being operated on the Part 135 certificate of Don Davis Aviation.

With its new charter operation (plus brokering services), UCAC facilitates private aviation flights for up to eight passengers in the CJ3, providing comfort, convenience and safety for each journey.

“We’re passionate about aviation, customer care and enhancing access for our community,” says Doug Petitt, president of UCAC and executive vice president and chief people officer of its parent company, United Companies. “Charter services felt like a natural extension of our full-service FBO and maintenance offerings, connecting more people in our region with private flight services.”

Along with personalised service, the addition of a 24-hour charter operation allows customers the freedom to fly in luxury, on their terms. Catering to business professionals and leisure passengers alike, UCAC is committed to streamlining travel so customers can better maximise their time on the ground.

Along with the addition of charter operations, UCAC unveiled its luxe FBO terminal last month. The 10,000 sq ft facility features modern, comfortable lobbies for passengers and pilots; fully-equipped flight-planning and conference rooms; and secure 24/7 surveillance. A new 12,000 sq ft hangar features 28-ft doors and is accompanied by a further 3,500 sq ft of office space. This complements 100,000 sq ft of existing hangar space and a ramp over 200,000 sq ft.

The full-service FBO offers quick turns; easy access; a fuel discount programme; GPUs; aircraft detailing; pilot supplies; catering; crew and rental cars; ramp-side auto access; and maintenance services.

As an Avfuel-branded location, the FBO offers lucrative loyalty rewards through AVTRIP (including one point for every dollar spent on maintenance services), competitive fuel prices with Avfuel Contract Fuel and streamlined transactions with the Avfuel Pro Card, its new preferred payment method.