Cutter Aviation Celebrating 70 Years in Aviation

Cutter Aviation (Booth 1821), the Phoenix-based FBO, is celebrating 70 years in aviation. William P. "Bill" Cutter and his wife Virginia founded the company as Cutter Flying Service at Albuquerque in 1928.

"In those early days, Dad gave flying lessons, did charter flying, handled repair and maintenance work, and was involved in civilian pilot training," recalled William R. "Bill" Cutter, son of the founder and current chairman of the board.

Cutter Aviation is still family owned. The third generation of Cutters-Will (president and CEO) and Kay (CFO)-are leading the company now.

Cutter Aviation offers line service, charters and a variety of maintenance activities, including repair of ground handling equipment and fabrication and maintenance of passenger loading bridges. The company has an interior completions department and a travel agency, too.

Cutter Aviation opened its first Phoenix facility in 1959 and added a location in El Paso in 1982. In 1997, the company opened facilities in Austin, TX, and at the Deer Valley Airport in Phoenix. Just last month the company inaugurated its newest facility, in San Antonio.

Cutter established a relationship with Beechcraft in 1947. It is the oldest independent dealer of Beech aircraft. Cutter sells new and pre-owned aircraft through its sales offices in Phoenix; Albuquerque; Long Beach, CA; and Midland, Austin and San Antonio.

Cutter also is the oldest Phillips Aviation dealer in the country, having sold Phillips petroleum products for more than 60 years.