Serving Big Sky Country and Beyond

According to the Small Business Association, approximately half of new establishments survive five years or more and about one-third survive 10 years or more. This year, Holman Aviation is celebrating a diamond anniversary - its 65th year in business. It’s no small feat for a Fixed Base Operator (FBO) practically as old as the airport it resides, Great Falls International Airport (GTF).

Dwight Holman has served as president of Holman Aviation since 1992. He succeeded his father, Homer Holman, who founded the FBO in 1950.

“You know the story of a grocery store CEO who starts out as a bagger? Well that’s kind of my story,” said Holman. “I’ve been around this FBO for pretty much my entire life. When I first started working I was the janitor, cleaning up at the maintenance shop and making sure our restrooms were tidy. As I got older, I was out on the flight line pumping fuel.”

Holman has noticed a shift in fuel purchases over the last number of years. Many customers have moved toward using contract fuel programs, like Phillips 66’s Partners-Into-Plane, a program that allows pilots to fuel up their plane and get back into the air fast. Corporate fliers fueling up at Holman Aviation can also use their WingPoints® card, the Phillips 66 Aviation program that rewards customers for aviation fuel purchases at participating FBOs, with points that are immediately redeemable online for gift or debit cards.

While Holman is no longer manning the fuel pump, he still gets his hands dirty while managing the operations of the facility, with a great understanding of each and every job from the bottom up. The Phillips 66-branded FBO serves commercial, corporate, private and military aviation, primarily focusing on flight line operations. Fueling, aircraft maintenance and deicing (especially during this time of year) keep the staff of 24 busy around the clock.