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FBO PROFILE 28 airportbusiness May 2015 By Robert Mark Fort Worth FBO Rocks the IS-BAH After being in operation less than two years, American Aero at Meacham International Airport in Fort Worth, Texas, managed one of those firsts when it became the first FBO cer- tified under the new International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH). Adding to American Aero's first is that the "Cowtown" FBO is actually the first in the Western Hemisphere to hang an IS-BAH certificate on its wall. An FBO in India also recently gained its IS-BAH certification. The choice to earn IS-BAH certification seemed right in line with American Aero's other business goals set long before the staff greeted their first airplane. American Aero, currently staffed by 21 employees, evolved from the old Atlantic Aviation facility at Meacham Airport. Atlantic's facility was in decline when a local company, Group Holdings Inc. took an interest. Group Holdings wanted to create a flight department run by industry users, peo- ple who truly understood what pilots and their passengers want and need. In the summer of 2012, American Aero opened its doors as a Signature Select- affiliated operation offering the benefits of the Signature Flight Support Network. By mid-April 2013, the new FBO was acquiring hangars, building hangars and helping restore the old 75,000-square-feet American Airlines' terminal building, which dates back to 1933. American Aero eventually plans to lease approximately 8,400 square feet of that updat- ed space. In addition to round-the-clock U.S. Customs services, American Aero also plans to build three, LEED hangars and a two-story office complex while increasing its ramp space I n the business world, especially one like the FBO business where quality of service is often the only differentiator, there's nothing quite like being first at something. Riggs Brown, general manager, American Aero American Aero's flightpath to becoming the first U.S. FBO to earn IS-BAH certification