Basler Unicom is 122.95 . . . Oshkosh Tower is 118.5 . . . Oshkosh Ground is 121.9

Current News & Events
 

Johnny Depp Takes KOSH & BFS by Storm,
Proving He's No Enemy of Ours!

Crews from Universal Pictures spent part of April in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and surrounding rural areas filming pivotal scenes for the movie. The release date has yet to be disclosed. More information will be provided as it is released by the studio.

Click on a photo to enlarge image

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Patricia Ann Basler, Co-Founder of Basler Flight Service
and Basler Turbo Conversions, Dies at the Age of 78 

(May 29, 2007 – Oshkosh, Wis.) -- With deep sadness, we would like to inform the aviation community of the death of our dear friend and co-founder, Patricia Ann (Small) Basler, who succumbed to cancer on May 23, 2007 after a brave fight. Mrs. Basler passed away at the age of 78 at her residence in Oshkosh, Wisconsin surrounded by family members. Mrs. Basler co-founded Basler Flight Service in Oshkosh with her husband, Warren Basler, in 1957. After purchasing the small fixed base operation from Steve and Dorothy Wittman, the Baslers went on to make Basler Flight Service one of the most well-recognized names in the general aviation industry.

Patricia Ann Basler

Quickly, the Baslers grew their operation from just two employees to include passenger and freight charters, aircraft maintenance and avionics, and full service fueling operations. Under Mrs. Basler’s leadership the facility learned to successfully anticipate the needs the annual EAA AirVenture fly-in, and built a clientele of charter customers to rival any freight forwarder in the nation.

As freight operators, the Baslers developed a love for the dependable Douglas DC-3. Astutely sensing a market, they embarked on the journey to create the BT-67, a turboprop DC-3. With Mr. Basler traveling internationally to build interest, Mrs. Basler remained in the office, steadfastly navigating the company’s way through the daunting expansion. In 1988, the Baslers opened the doors to Basler Turbo Conversions, a state-of-the-art facility on the southeast end of Wittman Regional Airport and welcomed Jack Goodale of Grand Rapids, Mi as principal owner in 1996.  To date, Basler Turbo Conversions has airplanes operating in nearly a dozen countries worldwide.

In 1997, after 49 years of marriage, Mr. Basler died unexpectedly.  Mrs. Basler continued with the company until her decision to retire in 2002.

After nearly 50 years of service, 24 hours a day and seven days a week, Mrs. Basler said goodbye to her ‘employees’ and embraced the role of being their friend. She enjoyed her golden years immensely. True to her hard-working nature she did not sit still, but remained busy with an active social calendar, travel, and service to her community

At the time of her retirement, the company employed 75 people, many of whom had accumulated over a decade of service to her and the company. Her many years of dedication to her customers and employees will be remembered and appreciated by all who had the honor to work with her. Her integrity and personal attention to the needs of others were personality traits that made her a successful businesswoman and a good friend.

Mrs. Basler’s family is establishing a memorial to honor her memory, and those who would like more information can contact Basler Turbo Conversions, LLC at 920-236-7820.

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Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Basler on Fuel Mark-up
Contact:  Rod McNeil, 616-534-1463

May 25, 2006, Oshkosh, Wis.  -- Basler Flight Service, FBO at Wittman Airport in Oshkosh since 1957, announced today that the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled in its favor that Wisconsin’s minimum mark up law does not apply to aviation fuel.  The ruling brings to a close a three year legal battle brought against Basler by Oshkosh competitor Orion Flight Services following Orion’s initial attempt to under price Basler on fuel sales.  Orion opened for business at Wittman in 2002 following brief appearances by several other FBO’s there during the 1980’s and 1990’s.

 

Basler Flight Service President, Rod McNeil, said “We’re obviously pleased with this ruling.  It’s been a long and expensive process to prove that aviation fuel is really a different product in a different market from automotive fuel.”  The court ruled that the minimum mark up provisions, which require that motor vehicle fuel prices must include a profit of up to 9.18%, do not apply to aviation fuel sold in Wisconsin. 

 

This is a victory for the entire aviation industry.  The Wisconsin law also allows for “private cause of action” (one competitor making a penalty claim directly against another), providing penalties of up to $2,000.00 per day of assessed violation plus attorneys fees.  “It’s even conceivable that a claim could be made on an FBO at another airport under this provision” Mr. McNeil said.  The ruling also and importantly exempts fuel purchases by airlines who tend to purchase fuel under long term supply contracts in order to stabilize and minimize their fuel prices.

 

Midwest Airlines and Wisconsin Aviation Trades Association joined Basler’s defense with supporting briefs, underscoring the importance of this case to the aviation industry.

 

To read the full Supreme Court decision log onto http://www.wicourts.gov/supreme/scopin.jsp?docket_number=2003AP001731

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Basler Fuel Donation Enables EAA’s B-17 to
Delight Annual AirVenture Crowd

 

left to right: Adam Smith, Tom Poberezny, Mary Garcia, Brian McBryde, Tom Weigt background: B-17 "Fuddy Duddy" on EAA Foundation Ramp

June 23, 2004, Oshkosh, Wis. --  As they did in 2003, Basler Flight Service donated 500 gallons of 100LL aviation fuel to the EAA’s B-17, a WWII warbird that visitors and locals alike will see flying the daily airshows starting today. The certificate for fuel was presented to EAA President Tom Poberezny, and EAA Museum Director Adam Smith on Friday, July 23 at the EAA Foundation Hangar. On hand for Basler Flight Service were Mary Garcia, General Manager, Brian McBryde, Line Service Manager, and Tom Weigt, President of Basler Turbo Conversions, LLC.

The long-standing relationship between Basler and EAA goes back to EAA’s first fly-in at Oshkosh. This second annual fuel donation is just another chance for Basler to show its appreciation to the EAA organization and its many members. “The B-17 program is a worthwhile cause and we are happy to give something back to the aviation enthusiasts who come here each year. We hope that it is a safe and successful week for everyone involved,” Ms. Garcia said.

Basler Flight Service has been a fixed base operator (FBO) at Oshkosh since 1957. They provide fuel, parking, and other customer services to aircraft flying in and out of Wittman Regional Airport year-round. The company also operates an on-demand cargo charter airline.

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Basler Flight Service/EAA Partnership
Certifies 75 New Young Eagles

October 4, 2003, Oshkosh, Wis. – The successful partnership of EAA Young Eagles Chapter 252, local aircraft owners and pilots, and Basler Flight Service has brought EAA 75 children closer to their goal of 1,000,000 first-time fliers. The event, held Saturday, October 4 at Basler Flight Service, brought out parents with their eager children ages 7 – 18 years.

(For more images, view our event scrapbook.)

The four hour fly-in was free of charge. The following aircraft owners and pilots donated their time and knowledge to teaching local children about aviation and flying: Don Jones, owner of a passenger configured DC-3 piloted by Paul Votava and Kevin Lemke; Pastor Boyte, owner and pilot of a Mooney; Mark Beckhum, owner and pilot of a Long Easy; Brian Rippe, owner and pilot of a Cessna; and Frank Freidman, owner and pilot of a Beechcraft.

The four single-engine aircraft and the twin-engine DC-3 flew patterns north and south of Oshkosh, causing many children to excitedly search for landmarks that they are familiar with, but had never seen from the air. The rides lasted approximately 15 minutes. Pilots educated their students in the processes of a preflight aircraft check, airport tower communication, take-off and landing.

Numerous volunteers and Basler Flight Service employees made sure that things on the ground went smoothly. At the end of the day, 75 children received their Young Eagles certificates and will go on to have their names entered in EAA’s “World’s Largest Logbook,” a record of Young Eagles and their pilots, which can be viewed online at www.eaa.org. EAA’s goal is to reach 1,000,000 Young Eagles by December 17, 2003. Currently, over 975,000 children have been certified.

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