You have a choice for
WHAT'S COMING TO PASO ROBLES AIRPORT
The City of Paso Robles is currently evaluating two proposals for a first of its kind long-term FBO leasehold at Paso Robles Airport. One proposal is built upon a promise of scalability, economic benefits and modernization, while the other... we'll let you decide. As a long-time partner to the Central Coast (SLOCAL), we're asking a small favor in return. Below are a few resources designed to spread the word and to voice your support for ACI Jet to the Paso Robles City Council.
Send a Letter of Support
Only one respondent, ACI Jet, has opted to make the entirety of their proposal and all supplemental responses and presentations available to the public. As the airport serves every resident, business owner and aviator in Paso Robles, we thought you should see what is being considered before the City Council renders their vote.
Below you will find our proposal including development plans and the supplemental response, which includes some changes to those plans at the City's request. We've provided a table below which outlines the key differences between each, and things that might be important to you.
ACI Jet's RFP Response
ACI Jet's Supplemental Response
Other Respondent
VISIBILITY OF COMPLETE FBO PROPOSAL
Available to the Public
Not Available to the Public.
Respondent has not offered their proposal for public review.
NEW FBO OPENS
2029 (latest)
Construction to begin as soon as practical, completed within first five years of lease.
2030 (earliest)*
"Anticipated construction to take 12-18 months," beginning after five year initial lease.
REFURBISHMENT OF EXISTING TERMINAL
YES!
ACI Jet's proposal includes complete refurbishment of the existing airport terminal at Paso Robles Airport, including a renovated restroom.
No.
PROPOSED INVESTMENT IN PASO ROBLES AIRPORT
$17.6 Million
Phase I
Includes a guaranteed investment of approximately $6 million in the form of a brand new, two-story FBO with larger footprint than our competitor, completely refurbished existing terminal, and a large multi-use community hangar.
Phase II
An approximately $11.6 million build-on-demand development, including two large community hangars, one with dedicated educational facilities for potential use by Cal Poly and Cuesta College for Aerospace education, a relocated fuel farm to streamline operations, and expanded parking.
$9 Million
Phase I
After initial five year lease, proposes an estimated $3 million investment including a smaller-footprint FBO only, and no refurbishment to existing facilities or new hangars.
Phase II
Proposes an approximately $6 million build-on-demand featuring only light aircraft box and t-hangars. No expansion of parking, and no relocation of fuel farm.
ESTIMATED RENTS/REVENUES PAID TO THE CITY OF PASO ROBLES
$19.7 Million
$13.5 Million
SPACEPORT SUPPORT
Large hangars capable of accommodating longer-wingspan horizontal launch aircraft.
Aerospace workforce development in participation with Cuesta & Cal Poly.
Larger capacity fuel trucks and vehicles to support terminal arrivals & personnel movement around airfield.
View Full Response
"The specifics of how the operations may work were not identified."
PROPOSED EQUIPMENT INVESTMENT
$1,274,000
Noted is that ACI Jet provided the City of Paso Robles with a detailed, itemized equipment list with anticipated costs.
Equipment List
Not included above, but a significant point of comparison, is ACI Jet's $100,000+ investment in company-owned advanced ground service equipment in support of Royal Air Force (RAF) operations on the A400M Atlas.
$875,000
Only a generalized total cost was provided to the City's Ad Hoc Committee for review and consideration.
Equipment List
Per the City's own consultant, the competitor appears less directed towards handling jet aircraft than ACI Jet. ACI Jet features all of, and in higher quantities, the support equipment proposed by the competitor, in addition to equipment necessary to support jet aircraft at volume.
AIRCRAFT CHARTER & MANAGEMENT SERVICES
13 Charter Aircraft (17 Aircraft Under Management)
Includes light jets up to Large-Cabin/Long-Range jets, nearly all based locally in San Luis Obispo County, with a combined value of approx. $309M.
ACI Jet's charter fleet and flight operations department are capable of providing complex travel services to destinations around the globe.
3 Charter Aircraft (Unknown Under Management)
1 Turboprop (company owned) and 2 Midsize jets, none based in San Luis Obispo County, with a combined value of approx. $12M.
No hangars proposed in development plan are capable of serving large-cabin business aircraft, and fleet is not suited for global travel services.
AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE CAPABILITIES
FAA Part 145 Repair Station w/Numerous Authorizations
ACI Jet brings hundreds of aircraft into SLO County for maintenance services alone, and has the technicians and tooling--all trained and certified under our Repair Station Authorization--to provide on-site turbine aircraft support at Paso Robles Airport.
In addition to Limited Airframe and Instrument ratings shared by both Proposers, ACI Jet exclusively has the following FAA-certified ratings:Limited RadioClass 3 AirframeLimited PowerplantLimited AccessoryLimited Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
In addition to this, ACI Jet proposes a light aircraft maintenance facility to be guaranteed under our lease, with special emphasis on leveraging talent from Cuesta College's Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) Program.
OEM Authorizations & Significant Relationships
FAA Part 145 Repair Station w/Limited Authorizations
Competitor shares Limited Airframe and Instrument ratings with ACI Jet, but per the FAA does not have the full suite of ratings and/or capabilities of ACI Jet.
Propose company owned and operated maintenance facility for all maintenance services under their lease.
OEM Authorizations & Significant Relationships (per website)
INSURANCE COVERAGE / MITIGATED RISK TO THE CITY
$250 Million
Substantial coverage to support all operation types, including military operations and large-cabin fleet operators, indicating an understanding of Paso Robles Airport's operations.
$10 Million
Nowhere near enough coverage to protect the City from financial liability for many operations at Paso Robles Airport.
STAFF BASED AT PASO ROBLES AIRPORT
4 Full-Time Line Service Tech's (+25 at SBP*)
1 Full-Time Customer Service Rep (+10 at SBP*)
1 PRB FBO General Manager
Upon completion of its brand new FBO, ACI Jet would increase staff count to provide seven day per week customer service coverage (front desk).
*For more than a decade, ACI Jet has leveraged staff and equipment from its San Luis Obispo County Airport (SBP) location to ensure that critical levels of service can be sustainably offered when necessary (special events, fire season, and military operations, to name a few).
4-5 Line Service Tech's (full- or part-time)1 Customer Service Rep (full- or part-time)1 FBO Supervisor
OVERALL VALUE TO AVIATION COMMUNITY
ACI Jet's Mission Statement & Examples Provided
"To help people, businesses & communities reach their full aviation potential" not only enables us to do what is right for intrinsic reasons, but is a solid business strategy yielding the best results for both the company and the communities it serves.
Full Question Response
Not Provided*
*The original RFP issued by the City of Paso Robles required a response to each question within the RFP for consideration.
Full Question Response
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT / PHILANTHROPY
In Paso Robles Alone...
ACI Jet has been a visible and active supporter of the following organizations:
Paso Robles / Templeton Chamber of Commerce
ECHO Homeless Organization
Paso Robles Bearcats
Paso Robles Youth Arts Center
Paso Wine Fest
SLO County Sheriff's Rodeo
Studios on the Park
Wine Country Runs
Paso Robles Rotary Club
Estrella Youth Aviation Club
Just A Few of ACI Jet's SLO County Beneficiaries...
Cuesta College
French Hospital Medical Center Foundation
REACH Central Coast
Pending Response
20-YEAR RECORD
ACI Jet 20 Years Ago
FBO Photos
ACI Jet Today
FBO Photos
ACI Jet has grown from a single FBO with a small managed fleet to a network of world-class FBOs, one of the nation's largest fleets of Bombardier Global-series private jets, and one of only two Bombardier Authorized Service Facilities (ASF) in the United States. The company operates a fleet of 10 mobile aircraft maintenance vehicles that serve the entire West Coast--an offering not available by the competitor.
Competitor 20 Years Ago
FBO Photos
Competitor Today
FBO Photos
Over several decades, few improvements have been made to our competitor's facilities or services. "Status quo" appears to be the expectation. Paso Robles Airport has untapped potential that needs a partner with a proven track-record of designing and developing world-class facilities and expanded services.
Cuesta AMT Program
Perhaps no greater display of ACI Jet's core value of perseverance exists than the company's multi-year effort to conceive and bring into existence the Cuesta College Aviation maintenance Technician (AMT) Program. Truly countless hours of work, cash and in-kind contributions far in excess of $500,000, and collaboration between various Federal, State and local agencies were required to bring this program to life. Today, with the first cohort graduating this year and a second overnight cohort following close behind, local students have an entirely new professional option which can keep them close to the home and families they love.
Visit acijet.com/CuestaAMT for more information.
ACI Jet has worked hard for more than a decade to serve as an indispensable partner to Paso Robles and the community at large. We've sponsored countless community impact events, hosted fundraisers and special events, invested significantly in expanding the operational capabilities of Paso Robles Airport, and more.
Now, we're asking you for help.
Your support as a resident and/or business owner of Paso Robles will help us bring this across the finish line. To send a letter of support to the Paso Robles City Council, you may use our AI-driven Letter of Support Generator below, send an email, or call your local representative.
Use AI to Write and Send Your Letter
The individuals and businesses below have offered their support publicly for ACI Jet's continued operations and expanded services at Paso Robles Airport. Add your name or business to the list by sending a Letter of Support to the Paso Robles City Council.
- Joe Ontiveros
- Nick Tompkins
- Noreen Martin
- John King
- John Couch
- Jolie Lucas
Sign Up for Updates
Not ready to lend your support just yet? No worries! We'd still like to keep you informed regarding the FBO selection process. Each resident and business owner's needs and wishes for the future of Paso Robles Airport may be different, but we'd sure like to hear your perspective. Sign up for updates below, then get in touch at the contact information provided.
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