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Aerodynamics pilots support company
By Kalea Hall
VIENNA
The company hoping to offer daily flight service between Youngstown and Chicago has received written support from its pilots to refute claims made against it.
Seven Aerodynamics Inc. pilots signed a letter dated Sept. 4 saying they do not agree with the anonymous comments recently posted on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s docket site.
“These statements have no merit and are unfounded,” the pilots wrote. “Aerodynamics Inc. is a safe company, and we fully support and stand behind our company.”
The letter was signed by: Craig Schmitt, captain; Curt Hamilton, captain; Dean Bilawey, captain; Brad Lehman, captain; David Adams, first officer; Nicolas Bogosta, first officer; and Brad Griffin, first officer.
The comments posted on the DOT’s docket discuss safety issues with the Beachwood, Ohio- and Atlanta-based charter air carrier and its inability to operate a scheduled service.
ADI called the safety allegations “erroneous” in its recent response to the DOT’s request for more information. In a letter dated Aug. 5, the DOT’s Air Carrier Fitness Division asked the company to provide more details on management and personnel, operations and financial position, flight safety and other items.
In past months, ADI switched ownership after the DOT expressed concern about the former chief executive officer, president and chairman of ADI and its parent companies, and new top managers were hired, including Darrell Richardson, an industry veteran who took over ADI in January. He is the company’s president.
The DOT expressed concern about ADI’s finances. The company said it is on a cash-only basis and making payroll payments in a timely manner. ADI requested that the DOT issue a letter determining ADI is fit and grant its application to provide service at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport in Vienna.
The company remains confident that the Federal Aviation Administration will advise the DOT that there are no safety concerns.