Honors Long-time Member Central Flying Service

NATA Executive Vice President Tim Obitts on Wednesday commemorated Arkansas-based Central Flying Service’s (Central) milestone of reaching 475,000 flight training hours.

Obitts presented Central’s CEO Dick Holbert with the “NATA Aviation Milestone Award” at the company's headquarters in Little Rock, Arkansas. The celebration included a ceremonial training flight as well as an award presentation by the FAA.

“NATA is pleased to recognize the ongoing contributions of one of our charter members,” stated Obitts. “Founded by Dick’s father Claud Holbert in 1939, family-owned Central Flying Service has been doing its part to ready the nation’s supply of pilots since the company’s establishment as part of the pre-World War II Civilian Pilot Training Program,” stated Obitts. “With the nation’s ever-increasing demand for more pilots, it is wonderful to see Central Flying Service attracting and training the pilots of tomorrow.”    

Holbert thanked NATA and FAA stating, “We are proud of our company’s long and distinguished history and honored to provide critical pilot training for the aviation industry. We deeply appreciate the recognition and presence of NATA and FAA here to honor us and to share this significant occasion.”

(Source: NATA news release)

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