Bristow Group Announces Agreement to Acquire Berry Aviation

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Bristow Group announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Berry Aviation, Inc. from Acorn Capital Management in an all-cash transaction.

The announcement describes Berry Aviation, headquartered in San Marcos, Texas, as an aviation services provider with a fleet of more than 20 aircraft and a focus on government, defense, special mission, cargo, maintenance, training, and mission-support services.

Bristow said the planned acquisition is expected to expand its Government Services platform and add Berry Aviation’s special mission capabilities and long-standing government customer relationships. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.

Why it matters locally

Berry Aviation has long been part of the aviation ecosystem at San Marcos Regional Airport. A transaction involving a major aviation services company is noteworthy for local airport stakeholders because it reflects the continued importance of specialized aviation operations, government services, maintenance, training, and mission-support work in the region.

For San Marcos Regional Airport and the broader aviation community, companies with specialized capabilities can help support employment, aircraft activity, tenant demand, and the airport’s role as a regional economic asset. TAP continues to monitor aviation business activity that may affect airport users, tenants, and long-term development opportunities. Learn more about TAP’s airport management and development services and its work supporting airport growth across Texas.

About the announcement

According to Bristow Group, the acquisition is intended to strengthen its Government Services platform while adding Berry Aviation’s capabilities and customer relationships. The companies stated that the transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions.

Read the full Bristow Group press release: Bristow Group to Acquire Berry Aviation, Expanding Government Services Platform.

Source: Bristow Group, “Bristow Group to Acquire Berry Aviation, Expanding Government Services Platform.”

University Star Highlights San Marcos Airport Expansion and Texas State Aviation Opportunities

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The University Star recently covered how the expansion of San Marcos Regional Airport is expected to create new opportunities for Texas State University aviation students.

The story highlights the airport’s planned 170-acre expansion, Texas State’s Aviation Science Concentration, and the role expanded facilities can play in flight training capacity and long-term workforce development.

Why it matters

San Marcos Regional Airport is an important piece of regional infrastructure. As aviation demand grows, airports like San Marcos do more than support aircraft operations. They help connect education, workforce development, business activity, emergency response, and long-term economic growth.

For students pursuing aviation-related careers, proximity to a growing general aviation airport can create practical opportunities to better understand airport operations, flight training, maintenance, planning, and the business side of aviation. For the broader community, expanded aviation activity can support jobs, tenants, infrastructure investment, and stronger ties between the airport, the city, and Texas State University.

Airport growth and workforce development

The article points to a larger issue facing aviation communities across the country: the need to develop future pilots, technicians, airport professionals, and aviation business leaders. Facilities, access, and partnerships all matter. When a university aviation program and a regional airport grow in the same community, the result can be more than a training pipeline. It can become a long-term civic and economic asset.

Texas Aviation Partners continues to support airport management and development efforts that strengthen the airport’s role in the region while keeping daily operations, tenants, and future growth aligned. Learn more about TAP’s airport management and development services or contact the team about an airport project.

Read the full article from The University Star: San Marcos Airport expansion increases opportunities for Texas State aviation.

Source: The University Star, “San Marcos Airport expansion increases opportunities for Texas State aviation.”

San Marcos Regional Airport Expands with 170-Acre Land Purchase

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Additional land creates room for airport growth

The City of San Marcos has purchased 170 acres of newly available federal land east of San Marcos Regional Airport, expanding a footprint that already spans more than 1,400 acres. The $1.68 million acquisition, completed through a U.S. General Services Administration sale, positions the airport for continued growth as demand across Central Texas climbs.

A growing Central Texas aviation asset

The airport, managed by Texas Aviation Partners, is in one of the strongest growth periods in its history. Takeoffs and landings are up more than 40 percent, and more than 300 aircraft now call the field home. Recent drivers of that growth include a five-year pilot training contract between an airport tenant and the U.S. Air Force, and a four-year aviation management degree program offered in partnership with Texas State University.

Long-term development opportunity

“The best asset any airport can have is property,” TAP President Jim Wimberly told KXAN. The newly acquired land is currently planned for cargo development, with several other airport-related projects under consideration in the coming years.

Land gives an airport options. It can provide room for aviation businesses, facilities, infrastructure, and other aeronautical uses while helping protect the airport’s long-term operating environment. TAP’s work at San Marcos combines daily airport management with development coordination, tenant support, leasing, planning, and community communication.

Learn more about Texas Aviation Partners’ airport management and development services or contact TAP to discuss an airport project.

Source: KXAN, “San Marcos Regional Airport expands with 170-acre land purchase.”

San Marcos Regional Airport Receives TxDOT Award

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San Marcos Regional Airport receives TxDOT Reliever Airport of the Year award

2022 Reliever Airport of the Year

San Marcos Regional Airport was named the 2022 Reliever Airport of the Year by the Texas Department of Transportation Aviation Division. The airport, managed by Texas Aviation Partners, received the honor during TxDOT’s 40th Texas Aviation Conference.

TxDOT recognized the airport’s growth in aircraft operations, proactive management, planned reconstruction of two primary taxiways, and economic contribution to the region. According to the economic figures cited with the award, the airport supported 664 jobs, $22.7 million in annual payroll, and $82.1 million in annual economic activity.

Recognition of long-term airport work

The award reflected more than a single project. It recognized the combined work of the City of San Marcos, airport tenants, community partners, and the TAP management team to improve facilities, support aviation businesses, and strengthen the airport’s role in Central Texas.

TAP President Jim Wimberly said the recognition also reflected the airport’s work to promote and expand its long-term viability. That work includes daily airport management, tenant and lease coordination, capital project support, development planning, and communication with public agencies and the surrounding community.

About San Marcos Regional Airport

San Marcos Regional Airport serves general aviation, business aviation, flight training, government operations, and other aviation activity between Austin and San Antonio. Learn more about TAP’s airport management and development services or view the current project portfolio.

Source: City of San Marcos announcement.

San Marcos Regional Airport to Extend Tower Hours

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Nick Castillo Managing Editor [email protected] Friday, April 2, 2021 Longer tower coverage for a growing airport San Marcos Regional Airport’s Air Traffic Control Tower will extend its operational hours by two hours each day to meet needs generated by increased air traffic, the City of San Marcos recently announced. The airport’s air traffic control tower […]

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Berry Aviation, Inc. To Break Ground On 3.2 Million Dollar Expansion At The San Marcos Regional Airport

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San Marcos, TX. – Last year, Berry Aviation, Inc. announced the signing of a 40-year land lease with the City of San Marcos and on Friday, April 20th – less than a year later – will break ground on a new 31,000+ square foot facility. The approximately $3.2 million investment will allow Berry to better accommodate their growing airline fleet and staff.

Texas Aviation Partners, the company contracted to manage San Marcos Regional Airport on behalf of the City, worked with Berry to secure the ground lease that will ensure Berry’s presence in San Marcos for the next four decades.

The new facility will house Berry’s maintenance and supply-chain headquarters, and will include a 20,000 square foot maintenance hangar, machine shop, non-destructive testing lab, state-of-the-art parts retrieval system, and more than 10,000 square feet of office space.

The facility will allow Berry to work on larger aircraft in a controlled environment and perform component overhaul for third party air carriers. Berry anticipates adding an additional 20 to 30 high-skilled employees as part of the expansion.

The San Marcos Chamber of Commerce, along with Texas Aviation Partners, the City of San Marcos, and Berry Aviation, will host a ground-breaking ceremony for Berry Aviation’s new facility at the San Marcos Regional Airport.

This event will be marked with the following speakers;

  • John Thomaides, Mayor of San Marcos
  • Jim Wimberly, Texas Aviation Partners
  • Jason Mock, President and CEO of the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Stan Finch, President of Berry Aviation
  • Scott Gregson, San Marcos Councilmember, Airport Advisory Board Chairman

Berry Aviation, Inc., founded in 1983, Berry Aviation, Inc. provides airlift and aviation support services to address challenging circumstances in industry and government. Headquartered in San Marcos, Texas, with satellite facilities across the U.S., the Middle East, Africa, and the Pacific Islands, Berry covers almost 2.5 million miles, performing more than 13,000 flight operations, annually. Berry specializes in solving geopolitical, regulatory, environment and time related air transportation complexities through capabilities-driven aviation. More information on the company’s services, certifications, and history can be found at www.berryaviation.com.

Texas Aviation Partners was founded in 2007 to offer a unique blend of aviation and business solutions. TAP provides services that range from airport management and development to business development plans, capital improvement project management, and consulting. To learn more, visit www.texasaviationpartners.com.

San Marcos Regional Airport occupies nearly 1,400 acres, San Marcos Regional Airport is the city’s largest parcel of developable land and has been managed by Texas Aviation Partners since 2010. The airport is home to more than 250 based aircraft and 13 aviation-related businesses employing over 150 people. San Marcos Regional is the only reliever airport in Texas for two international airports (Austin-Bergstrom and San Antonio International).

Source: https://smcorridornews.com/berry-aviation-inc-to-break-ground-on-3-2-million-dollar-expansion-at-the-san-marcos-regional-airport/

NTRA now candidate for FAA tower program

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By Jerrie Whiteley, Herald Democrat

Posted Apr 3, 2018 at 11:17 AM

North Texas Regional Airport — Perrin Field’s control tower is now a candidate for the Federal Aviation Administration’s contract tower program.

U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe and County Judge Bill Magers talked about the new status for the local control tower during Tuesday’s Commissioners Court meeting. For Grayson County residents, getting the tower into the program will mean a $300,000 relief off the county’s $30 million budget and an upgrade to part of the county’s economic engine.

“This wouldn’t have been possible without my staff’s tireless coordination with our home-state U.S. Senators and their staffs, constant contact with the FAA and DOT, and collaboration with Grayson County officials, including Judge Magers and Texas Aviation Partners,” Ratcliffe said in a press release. “Since the Trump administration took charge, I’m glad we’ve made drastic progress on this important Northeast Texas priority at a much more efficient pace, so that the folks I’m proud to represent can start reaping the rewards of our long-fought battle.”

Ratcliffe said there are just a few things the county had to do to get accepted into the program, but he doesn’t anticipate any trouble with that. County Judge Bill Magers said the county had yet to receive the task list for getting in, but has been assured it won’t be a problem.

The $300,000 that the county has had to put toward the airport could be put to work in other areas including, possibly, other transportation-related projects. Magers recently said the $300,000 represents about half a cent on the tax rate and could relate, at some point, to another tax decrease for the county.

Last month, Jamie Baker, director of public policy for U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe, told commissioners that the county’s benefit-to-cost-ratio numbers regarding tower spending were up for final review with the federal government. If accepted into the program, the tower could receive up to $500,000 in annual funding, which would be an increase of about $200,000 for the airport.

Grayson County first moved to get the control tower into the FAA’s Tower Program in June 2012. The FAA program currently extends federal funds to most of the nation’s air traffic control towers which are stationed at airports that record at least 100,000 operations, or flights, each year.

Magers recently said NTRA records 80,000 annual operations, but that figure did not include operations which occurred during hours the tower was closed. If those after-hours operations were included in the count, Magers said the tower would surpass the 100,000 mark stipulated by the program.

While both Magers and Ratcliffe were quick to praise each other as they celebrated the announcement Tuesday, Magers also had congratulations for others.

“We want to give thanks to those who came before us,” Magers said indicating the commissioners and county judges who have invested county time and money in the airport in the past.

He said that effort went back decades before he became county judge.

“This moves us from a minor league airport to a major league airport,” Magers said of NTRA’s acceptance as a candidate for the federal program.

He said it should also make a difference to companies that are looking to locate in Grayson County.

Source: Herald Democrat

COVERING SAN MARCOS: D-Day plane arriving at new home

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Historic D-Day aircraft arrives in San Marcos

SAN MARCOS, Texas – The historic aircraft that led a formation of more than 800 C-47s to Normandy to drop paratroopers on D-Day will arrive at its new home on Tuesday.

The plane named ‘That’s All, Brother’ will make the final leg of its journey to its new home at the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) hangar at the San Marcos Regional Airport on March 6 at 1:00pm.

“That’s All, Brother is an American treasure,” said Wing Leader Joe Enzminger. “We are honored and humbled to be entrusted in the care of this iconic aircraft. Over the coming months, we hope thousands will come visit That’s All, Brother and help us by playing a part in returning the aircraft to Normandy, France for the 75th anniversary of D-Day.”

Restoration background

In 2015, U.S. Air Force historian Matt Scales discovered that the airplane wasting away in an aircraft boneyard in Wisconsin. Like so many aircraft which survived World War II, That’s All, Brother was used in a variety of post-war civilian roles, hauling people and cargo across the United States.

“Through the support of thousands of generous donors, we were able to rescue this historic plane from the boneyard and restore it to a wonderful piece of living history,” said Project Officer Andy Maag.

Return to flight

In January, the C-47 made a return to the skies after an extensive restoration performed by Basler Turbo Conversions in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

“This is just one step of a long restoration journey. Now that the airplane is flyable, the next phase will focus on restoring the paint and the historic interior details,” said Maag. “In the coming months we will fly the plane extensively to events in order to build awareness and raise funds to enable the plane to return to Europe in 2019 for the commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of D-Day as well as the 70th Anniversary of the Berlin Airlift.”

If you’d like to know more about aircraft tours, aviation events and educational programs, go to www.ThatsAllBrother.org.

Related TAP resources

FAQ

Where did That’s All, Brother make its new home?

The aircraft arrived at the Commemorative Air Force hangar at San Marcos Regional Airport.

Why was the aircraft significant?

That’s All, Brother led a formation of more than 800 C-47s during the D-Day Normandy mission.

Source: http://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/covering-san-marcos-d-day-plane-arriving-at-new-home

5 stories to follow in 2018: #3. Pearland Regional Airport receives TxDOT grant, plans changes to safety and security

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By Haley Morrison | 9:30 am Jan. 20, 2018

The latest

Pearland Regional Airport was awarded a state grant that will begin and end in 2018. This grant will allow for safety and security updates to the airport. Pearland Regional is a reliever airport for William B. Hobby Airport in Houston. While the Pearland airport has existed since the 1950s, Texas Aviation Partners took over in late 2013. According to Texas Aviation Partners co-owner Stephen Alexander, changes to drainage have been made since then. This allowed aircraft from the airport to fly supplies out during Hurricane Harvey. The airport was annexed into the city during the Pearland City Council meeting that was held Nov. 27. The airport has also added new hangars, remodeled the terminal building and added full-service concierge-level amenities, including rental cars, flight planning and assistance with hotel accommodations since 2015.

What’s next

The Texas Department of Transportation grant will allow for a number of safety and security updates, including new gates, lighting upgrades and airport striping and marking. The airport has four gates, all of which will be evaluated. Some of the gates may be replaced after the evaluation. These safety and security precautions will affect both the flying and driving public. Increased signage as well as repairs to the gates will discourage drivers from mistakenly driving onto a runway.

Why this update matters

For Pearland Regional Airport, the grant connected safety work with a broader period of growth. The airport had added hangars, remodeled its terminal and expanded pilot services, while the planned gates, lighting and marking improvements addressed daily safety for aircraft operators, drivers and visitors.

This story is one update from Community Impact’s January issue.

Related TAP resources

FAQ

What was the TxDOT grant for?

The grant was for safety and security improvements, including gates, lighting, striping, marking and signage.

How did the work support airport users?

The improvements were intended to help pilots, airport visitors and drivers move more safely around Pearland Regional Airport.

Source: https://communityimpact.com/houston/pearland-friendswood/development-construction/2018/01/20/pearland-regional-airport-receives-txdot-grant-plans-changes-to-safety-and-security/

Pearland Regional Airport to use $500,000 grant for upgrades

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By Kristi Nix, [email protected]

Published 4:59 pm, Sunday, July 16, 2017

The Pearland Regional Airport is set to launch $500,000 in renovations and upgrades thanks to a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration that will be administered by the Texas Department of Transportation.

The grant will fund safety and security improvements including new entrance gates, signage, striping and lighting designed to increase visibility of runway markings for pilots.

Project costs will be funded through the Clover Acquisition Corp. and TxDot’s Aviation Facilities Grant Program.

“The airport is truly a small city now, and this grant will go a long way to ensuring that the airport is set to safely and efficiently continue its robust development,” said Stephen Alexander of Texas Aviation Partners, the managing firm of the airport. “The enhancements the airport will receive will help to make sure that aircraft can navigate the airport safely, alongside their four-wheeled counterparts.”

The airport, a privately owned airfield open to the public, is home to a variety of tenants and businesses including several flights schools, airplane and helicopter maintenance shops and 20 full-time residents who live in homes or condos connected to private airplane storage facilities.

Built as a private facility in 1940 by the George R. Brown family, the 320-acre airport was transitioned to public use in 1950. Clover Acquisition acquired the property in 1957 and renamed it Clover Field. The airport, which has one 5,000-foot runway that can accommodate up to medium-size aircraft, was renamed Pearland Regional Airport in 2003. Texas Aviation Partners took over management in June 2013.

Two flying clubs, Coastal Skies and the Bar Area Aero Club, are based at the airport. In addition to flying lessons, airplane rentals and air tours for non-pilots interested in sightseeing, the clubs offer group comprehensive insurance and social events for members.

Operations manager Adam Arceneaux said the improvements will provide new security gates at the four airport entrances.

“We also plan to upgrade all the taxiway and runway lights, install additional lights and refurbish the airport beacon tower,” he said.

“Our goal is to maintain a safe environment for pilots and make sure we are ahead of the curve in terms of infrastructure.”

He said contracts will be awarded for all the proposed upgrades through a competitive bidding process.

The work should start this month or August and take two to three months to complete.

“We’re working to manage growth in a smart, measured way,” he said. “We want to make data-driven decisions for not just the airport but for the entire community. This grant is the next step for us.”

This grant is a huge shot of adrenaline because it helps us step up our game.”

Representative Ed Thompson, R-Pearland, said the grant would give the airport the opportunity to increase its economic development impact within the area.

“General aviation is a vital industry to our state’s economic growth,” he said.

“I’m so pleased that Pearland Regional Airport is being recognized for their contribution and being given the opportunity to expand their impact.”

Texas Transportation Commissioner Laura Ryan also praised the airport.

“Providing this funding to the Pearland Regional Airport is key to supporting area aviation,” she said. “This is a vibrant facility that plays an important economic role in the local community.”

Source: http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/pearland/news/article/Pearland-Regional-Airport-to-use-500-000-grant-11292433.php#photo-13252199

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