One constant in the aviation industry is change – changes in rules and regulations, changes in technology, changes in supply and demand. Elliott Aviation, a second-generation, family-owned and operated business that has serviced the Quad Cities territory – a region of four counties in northwest Illinois and southeastern Iowa in the USA – and beyond since 1936, has taught itself to prepare for whatever comes next while continuing to provide comprehensive and customer-focused solutions.
What began as a business built on a passion for aviation has evolved over the years into a multifaceted company that develops and delivers solutions based on the ever-changing needs of the marketplace, flying ahead of trends and changes in technology. Case in point: Elliott Aviation is the industry’s leading Garmin G5000 retrofitter, installing more aircraft with Garmin G5000s than all other dealers in the world, combined.
Andrew Evans (right), Elliott Aviation’s director of marketing, says, “Elliott Aviation started from founder Herb Elliott’s love of flying. He began giving people flying lessons in the Quad Cities and it’s grown from there.”
Growing service offerings today include aircraft sales, avionics service and installations, aircraft maintenance, accessory repair and overhaul, paint and interior, and charter and aircraft management. But even with all of these offerings, Elliott Aviation’s vision and values have remained steadfast – to build partnerships that last while offering unmatched quality, uncompromising integrity and unbeatable customer service.
From modest to modern
Strategic business decisions and the ability to evolve its offerings over the years has helped move the company from a small operation to today employing approximately 350 people with its Moline, Illinois; Des Moines, Iowa; and Minneapolis, Minnesota, locations. It’s certainly come a long way since its modest beginnings when it opened on a grass airstrip in DeWitt, Iowa, with one hangar and an old farm truck that served as a holding tank for Avgas, holding 300 gallons, all while operating without running water or electricity.
Jeff Barton, Elliott Aviation’s FBO services manager, says, “Being a branded Phillips 66 Aviation dealer has increased our customer base, especially due to the Partners-Into-Plane Program expansion [the longest active contract fuel program offered by a US provider].
“We can now offer contract fuel to different avenues of the aviation industry. Additionally, Phillips 66 supports us with NATA Safety 1st PLST Online training and co-op support for branded clothes and other items we purchase and use at our facilities.”
All locations boast world-class flight-support services complete with comfortable lounges, conference rooms and workstations, pilot snooze areas, gourmet meal catering, secure parking and on-call car concierge services. A recent upgrade includes a brand-new tenant hangar at Des Moines.
“The company poises itself on programs that are going to help people in the aviation industry,” continues Evans. “This truly speaks to our evolution based on the needs in the marketplace.”
More info at elliottaviation.com
April 6, 2017
