Prescription for success: new team in airline receives clean bill of health, prepares for take-off.

It would be far too easy to say, "there's a new era at Era." But there is a new era at Era.

New owners. New management. New fleet. New start. New life. New Era!

Era Aviation Inc. is rising out from behind the cloud of bankruptcy and is once again looking for blue skies.

Late last year, Era Investment Group LLC, the commuter airline's owner, grounded former president and chief executive officer Paul Landis and placed former Anchorage resident Stephen Jackson at the controls.

"We're starting with a clean bill of health," said Jackson, the company's new top executive, referring to its emergence from Chapter 11 red ink.

FIXING BROKEN WINGS

No stranger to re-tooling troubled airlines, Jackson helped to successfully restore companies that include Mesa Air Group Inc., Reno Air Inc. and Hawaiian Airlines Inc. from their financial woes. Jackson has been working as a consultant to Era Aviation since January 2006. Prior to that, he was a partner with the (now) "Big Four" accounting firm of KMPG LLP.

Era's re-organization plan, which included rebuilding what Jackson describes as basically a nonexistent accounting system, meant paying its previous owner, SEACOR, $3.1 million over its use of their funds, a claim which was disputed. Era is handing more than $1 million up front to SEACOR, with the remainder of that bill to be paid in full next year.

"We want to continue the same excellent service that our customers are accustomed to, but strive to make it better," Jackson said. "We want to improve on our scheduling, flight arrivals and departures. We want to be able to say that when we say we are flying, we ARE actually in the sky.

"Era is out to keep our good name clean and to better all facets of our business, top to bottom--from clean aircraft down to on-time performance. If we do that, I think we'll be successful."

Jackson, who has deep roots in Alaska, grew up and went to high school in Anchorage, is joined by Mike LeNorman, director of sales and marketing; Dave Richards, vice president of finance; and Jeff Sharp, vice president of operations, to form Era's new top management team. Together, their focus now will be on how to keep the company operating in the black. Richards, who joined Era last year, most recently had been the controller for the Municipality of Anchorage, while Sharp has worked for Era for more than two decades. With its headquarters in Anchorage, Era Aviation serves the communities of Homer, Kenai, Kodiak, Cordova and Valdez. It is also commemorating its silver anniversary of providing chartered service to Alyeska Pipeline Service Co.

"This isn't exactly a 'Phoenix'-type story," said LeNorman. "Its not like we were completely decimated and are now rising from the ashes.

"You have to keep in mind that we were awarded the AACA's (Alaska Air Carrier's Association) Gold Medallion Shield during our bankruptcy period."

BRIGHT STAR

Airlines are awarded stars from the acclaimed organization based on effort and completing sets of requirements due of an operator. Era received five stars due in large part to its operational control, safety program, internal audit program, maintenance and groundservice records.

Era Aviation is an Alaska Airlines PartnerShips carrier and is the recipient of the Medallion Shield for safety, one of only three carriers in the state to have achieved this prestigious honor.

The commuter airline was born nearly 60 years ago when Carl Brady Sr. brought a Bell 47A helicopter to Alaska. The U.S. government was preparing to map the then-Territory of Alaska and Brady seized the opportunity for his helicopter. Today, the airline's physical address (6160 Carl Brady Drive) bears his name, which is located in west Anchorage.

"We feel we are a well-respected company throughout Alaska and the industry," Jackson said. "Era wants to continue to have that same kind of confidence, not only from our customers, but our investors and the public as well."

HELPING HAND

To further help bolster its company image and to also fill a potential void within the community, Era recently came to the rescue of the organizers of the Fur Rendezvous. Era donated $10,000 to enable the organization of the winter carnival to continue its historic and long-standing parade. The contribution saved the event, which has been part of the fabric of the Anchorage community for more than 70 years. The parade had been slated for cancellation due to financial shortfall.

"It's our way of giving back a little to the community for all of its long support and help," Jackson said. "We appreciate their faithfulness and wanted to show our gratitude."

Capital Source Finance LLC loaned Era $13.8 million to help it get back on its feet. The loan, including interest based on the prime lending rate, will be paid off in the next two years.

"We have poured $10 million of that back into the company with new aircraft and improvements to the overall operation of Era," said LeNorman, who's filled many different capacities during his 20 years with the company.

NEW TOYS

Era will be introducing three Beech 1900D to its fleet this month. The new additions will complement its trio of deHaviland Dash 8s already in its inventory. The airline has sold off its fleet of 200 and 300 series Twin Otters.

Era now employs a work force of approximately 245 and sees room for growth opportunities. In the early days of the operation, it had 800 workers with 500 based throughout Alaska. Era also had operations based in Reno, Nev.; and Lake Charles, La.

At Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Era is second only to Alaska Airlines in the number of boarded passengers per year.

"We want the public to know that we take pride in our company and that good customer service is our top priority," Jackson says.

Era Aviation's re-organization is now in the recovery room. The new team feels it may be just what the doctor ordered.

Era Milestones

1948--First use of commercial helicopter in Alaska. (Original name was Economy Helicopters).

1964--First use of turbine-powered helicopters (Bell 204-B) in Alaska.

1970s--The first civil helicopter operator approved for instrumental flight in Alaska. Also the first operator in the U.S. to be approved for helicopter IFR using Bell 212 helicopters on fixed floats; first helicopter operator in the world to receive FAA approval for radar IFR approach minimums to 200 feet and one-half mile.

1972--First Era helicopter flight in Gulf of Mexico.

1983--First commercial use of deHavilland DHC-7, Dash 7, airplane (50-passenger, 10,000-pound payload) in Alaska. First year of scheduled airline operations.

1992--First Western company to operate American commercial helicopters inside the borders of Russia.

1992--Five Era helicopters participate as part of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Croatia.

1993--Awarded one-year U.N. contract for peacekeeping in Croatia and Macedonia with three Bell 212 helicopters and three Bell 206 Longrangers.

2005--SEACOR Holdings Inc. sells the fixed-wing division to Era Aviation Investment Group.

2006--New management team takes hold of the stick of the operations.

2007--Silver Anniversary of serving Alyeska Pipeline Service Co.

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