Eagle Aviation in Columbia is under new ownership

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Columbia-based Eagle Aviation is now under new ownership.

The aviation company was recently acquired by Lee Thomas, a longtime employee and a veteran of the aviation industry, according to a news release. Thomas is only the second owner of the company since 1967.

Thomas brings with him more than 35 years of experience in the aviation industry. He started his career in Valdosta, Ga. as a line service technician, then moved to Auburn University in Alabama  where he became assistant chief flight instructor. He joined Eagle Aviation in 1995 as an aircraft sales researcher and eventually became president of the company, a position he will maintain, according to the release.  and then finally at Eagle Aviation in 1995 where he started as an aircraft sales researcher and eventually became president, a position he will maintain. The current management team will also remain in place.

"I am thrilled to be the new owner of Eagle Aviation,” Thomas said in the release. “I started at Eagle straight out of Auburn. This is a fantastic company with wonderful employees and a great reputation in the aviation industry. My goal is to build on the company’s success and take it to new heights. We have an amazing team of professionals at Eagle, and I am confident we will achieve our objectives."

Thomas said he plans to create an experience that will expand the business and keep existing customers coming back. Noteworthy renovations are already underway, including a newly paved tarmac. Eagle has also recently been authorized as a maintenance service center for the Cirrus Vision Jet line.  Cirrus Vision  The company continues to build on its Cirrus and Cessna service centers as well as on its formal relationships with Garmin, Avidyne, AirText, Raisbeck, Blackhawk, Standard Aero, Prizm Lighting, Whelen Lighting and Berringer Brakes.

Eagle Aviation is a premier Titan Aviation Fuels branded full-service fixed base operation, originally founded in 1967 and has more than 100 employees. The company’s headquarters is located at Columbia Metropolitan Airport with a satellite operation at Jim Hamilton – L.B. Owens Airport. The company specializes in aircraft sales, line service, aircraft charter, maintenance, paint and interior, parts support and flight training