SAN MARCOS, Texas – Berry Aviation, Inc. has been granted a one-year contract option period from U.S. Transportation Command for rotary and fixed-wing airlift support to U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) under the Trans-Africa Airlift Support Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contract. The option, valued up to $157.8 million, provides for continued performance of passenger, cargo, casualty evacuation, personnel recovery, air drop and limited door-to-door services in Africa. AFRICOM is responsible for military relations with African nations, the African Union, and African regional security organizations.
Berry Aviation celebrates tenfold increase in repair capability with grand opening of new maintenance hangar
SAN MARCOS, Texas – Dec. 18, 2019 – Berry Aviation, Inc., a trusted leader in private aviation with a portfolio of services that includes government, private charter, scheduled and on-demand freight, component maintenance repair and overhaul, and fixed-base operations, recently announced the grand opening of its 31,400-square-foot maintenance hangar in San Marcos, Texas.
This announcement comes on the heels of 10 new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Part 145 Class Ratings the company received in late 2019: Airframe 3 and 4; Powerplant 1, 2 and 3; Propeller 1 and 2; and Accessories 1, 2 and 3.
“We’ve had a busy year gearing up for this maintenance hangar and our newly received Part 145 ratings,” said Stanley Finch, Berry Aviation president and COO. “The overall increase in space is impressive and adds a significant boost to our productivity and efficiency. This new hangar adds enough aircraft capacity to give us an estimated 75% increase in hands-on maintenance work. That added productivity expands our ability to service company aircraft and additional commercial maintenance customers. The new hangar aligns well with our extensive list of advanced FAA Part 145 certifications, which is a significant advantage to the maintenance product we can supply customers worldwide.”
The larger maintenance space for Berry Aviation specifically includes a 19,300-square-foot aircraft maintenance area, a 3,500-square-foot component repair and overhaul area and a 2,800-square-foot parts department. This not only allows for increased hands-on work with aircraft but also enhances backshop support for component repair and streamlines supply and parts operations.
Leadership and employees of Berry Aviation and Acorn Growth Companies join the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce and Texas Aviation Partners to celebrate the ribbon cutting ceremony for Berry Aviation’s new maintenance hangar.
“Overall, these improvements have increased the company’s ability to add new repair capabilities by tenfold,” Finch said. “That, coupled with the new certifications, allows us to operate on a much wider range of aircraft and parts. Our maintenance organization is poised to contribute significantly to a dynamic 2020 and beyond.”
Berry Aviation was founded in 1983 and quickly expanded its aviation services in 1987 by becoming a Department of Defense (DOD) CARB-approved air carrier with worldwide operating authority providing specialty aviation services to various branches of the U.S. military and other U.S. government organizations. Berry Aviation conducts contiguous U.S. and outside the contiguous U.S. (OCONUS) operations with a fleet of more than 25 aircraft, with past and current OCONUS operations including Hawaii, Marshall Islands, Johnston Island, Afghanistan, Peru and Africa.
Berry Aviation was acquired in 2018 by Acorn Growth Companies, a private equity firm investing exclusively in aerospace, defense and intelligence.
“Berry Aviation was our largest acquisition at the time, and today’s announcement further confirms their strength and ability to grow their operations worldwide,” said Rick Nagel, managing partner of Acorn Growth Companies. “The growth has been tremendous, and we look forward to continuing to support Berry Aviation to serve government services, cargo needs, support operations and logistics.”
Berry Aviation, Inc. is a trusted leader in private aviation, with a portfolio of parts and services that includes Government, Private Charter, both Scheduled and On-Demand Freight, Maintenance, and FBO operations. Since its founding in 1983, BAI has grown into a dynamic company with a focus on providing innovative solutions within the Aerospace industry that increase value for customers and end-users. Headquartered in San Marcos, Texas, the company has the knowledge, experience, and manpower necessary to operate on short notice with safe, high quality aviation services. More information on the company’s awards, services, certification, history, and industry leadership. BerryAviation.com
Acorn Growth Companies is a middle market private equity firm focused exclusively on Aerospace, Defense and Intelligence. Acorn invests solely in operating companies that strive to enhance global mobility and protect national interests. Acorn has a formidable reputation in the industry and is recognized for its deep understanding of the Aerospace & Defense markets, with proprietary access to the best companies within these sectors. With operational expertise and its ability to lead and manage investments through variable economic and industry cycles, Acorn works in tandem with management to build its portfolio companies into significant market leaders. AcornGrowthCompanies.com
Berry Aviation Renews NAAMTA Global Medical Transport Accreditation
San Marcos, TX – 29 August 2019 – Berry Aviation, Inc., a partner, and provider of safe, innovative, and reliable support services to the United States Department of Defense and other Non-defense agencies, enhances services through renewing their NAAMTA Global Medical Transport Accreditation.
NAAMTA Auditors completed a systematic audit of company policies and procedures, safety and quality management processes, medical personnel and policies, aviation and maintenance personnel and policies, associated equipment, training, and facilities. The audit verified compliance through employee interviews, process reviews, and on-site evaluations, all of which were conducted using ISO 9001:2015 auditing guidelines.
NAAMTA accreditation is recognized and approved by the US Department of Defense and the US Department of Veteran Affairs. By attaining NAAMTA Accreditation, Berry Aviation reaffirms their dedication to safety and patient care and meets the requirements of their government contract.
NAAMTA Global accreditation is based on standards of excellence that focus on the fundamental elements of medical transport and incorporate the principles of transport safety and quality management.
Amy Arndt, NAAMTA Global Director of Operations said, “Berry Aviation has demonstrated a level of attention to detail and thoroughness that exemplifies the goals accreditation brings to the medical transport industry—high operational safety and an increase to the quality of patient care. “
Berry Aviation’s ability to meet the medical transport needs in austere and remote areas of the world speaks to their commitment to their customer base. NAAMTA is honored to associate with Berry Aviation in providing lifesaving excellence.”
Berry Aviation’s Director of Operations, Dan Miller, describes the accreditation audit process. “NAAMTA engaged with us well prior to the on-site audit, providing audit checklists and reviewing our manuals, policies, and procedures ahead of time. As a result, the on-site was predictably smooth and undisruptive to our daily business routine.”
In addition to the accreditation, Berry Aviation continues with NAAMTA Alliance membership. NAAMTA Alliance members are held in high esteem for meeting stringent requirements that define and influence transport operational excellence. The NAAMTA Alliance unifies accredited organizations in the vanguard of continuous improvement in the medical transport industry.
About NAAMTA
NAAMTA is an accreditation standard-bearer for the medical transport industry, offering procedures that include guidelines for developing a system focused on transport safety, patient care, quality management, and continuous improvement. NAAMTA is globally recognized for its ISO 9001:2015 QMS certification and the implementation of quality practices in its accreditation program. NAAMTA’s certified quality management system is audited annually by PRI Registrar, which is an ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board-approved Registrar accredited to certify organizations to a variety of management systems including ISO 9001.
NAAMTA has successfully made great strides in identifying key best practices to improve the standard of performance among EMS providers at the national and global levels.
Through a dynamic approach to auditing and a vast array of web-based reporting and learning tools for members, NAAMTA distinguishes itself as an accreditation source interested in providing services to their members and work toward the improvement of medical transportation practices.
Foreign Object Debris (FOD) Walk
Berry Aviation, San Marcos employees participated in a FOD (Foreign Object Debris) Walk for wellness, to clean up the HYI ramp, and to raise money for a local non-profit, School Fuel. Approximately 40 Berry Aviation employees and Texas Aviation Partners (TAP) participated in the 1 mile walk and collected 56 lbs of FOD.
Puppy Rescue Mission
The Berry Aviation team supported Puppy Rescue Mission by transporting puppies from Kandahar to Kabul, Afghanistan. Puppy Rescue Mission assists in rescuing pets that have bonded with service members while on deployment in war zones back to the U.S. where they can be re-united with their service member.
