RexAir, which provides flight training and general aviation maintenance services at Naples Municipal Airport (KAPF) in Florida, has a new owner, Keith West, a former U.S. Naval Aviator who graduated from the Naval Academy at Annapolis.
After flying A-6 Intruders in active service, he managed the flight training department at Heart of Virginia Aviation before becoming senior director for flight school business at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA).
“My first job was as a line boy at a local flight school,” says West. “It’s been a lifelong dream to own and manage my own flight school. And to do it here in Naples, Florida…well, that’s just icing on the cake.”
Heading up the maintenance end of the business is Doug Cramer, who spent 25 years at Bell Industries in Richmond, Virginia, where he served as senior vice president of service delivery. Following his retirement from Bell, Cramer found himself managing the maintenance department at Heart of Virginia Aviation, where he and West met.
I wish you the very best in the ownership and operation of REX AIR.
A season ago I had just completed Cirrus training at our central Indiana flight training facility, (to my surprise the Chief Instrucor told the Flight school manager and me that my last three cross country flights in the Cirrus had been “perfect”). What a surprise to an instructor / ex airline pilot, who had had problems walking throught the computer operations of the Cirrus. Fun to hear, but I’ve never flown a “perfect” flight.
Then I left for our usual winter hiatus to south west Florida. While there I thoght t good to add the 22 model to my qualification, and scheduled a flight with your school. I enjoyed the flight, and learned some differences of instructors, which is always good. I did not carry my log book to Florida with me, and asked for a note to carry with me to add to my logbook.
That note never came. My Indiana instructor’s, calls were no mopre effective, nor were our calls to the Cirrus folks who could help. There was never any reply or returned call. So my experiecnce with youyr school was less than satisfactory.
I’m glad you asked. and I hope your new operation is very happy and productive.
Mike Clark
15 Sleepy Hollow Ln
Carmel, In 46032
317 625 2959
Congratulations & Best Wishes!
Paul A. Service, AOCS 28-68
Congratulations Kieth!
I stopped flying out of Rexair just before the pandemic because the operation didn’t quite meet my needs. I have an idea that’s going to change with your leadership. I’m looking forward to getting checked out and flying there again.
Congratulations! As an AOPA member, a Cirrus owner, and a Virginia-based pilot (KJYO), I have flown with Rex-Air for the past ten years. I am pleased to be working with you. I look forward to flying with your CSIP instructors next winter when we return to Naples.
Congratulations and best of luck to you. Great place to fly!
Congratulations to Keith and best of luck with the new challenges of customer service FL!
Always great to see fellow Intruders achieve their dreams! BZ and best of luck!