American Aero FTW Hits $100,000 Mark with Annual
Donation to the Navy SEAL Foundation
FBO annual giving supports tuition for pilot training; Three SEALs awarded scholarships in first year of new program
FORT WORTH, Texas (September 27, 2018) – American Aero FTW, a fixed base operator (FBO) at Meacham International Airport in Fort Worth, Texas, marked its sixth annual charitable contribution to the Navy SEAL Foundation with a $25,653 donation—and two major milestones. This year, the FBO’s total donations since 2013 topped the $100,000 mark, and three SEALs have received pilot training scholarships under the American Aero FTW matching funds program.
American Aero FTW’s donations allowed the Navy SEAL Foundation to launch a new scholarship last fall. This year, two active duty and one retired SEAL have used the scholarships to advance their desire to pursue pilot certification. The tuition reimbursements were applied to FAA Rotary Wing Pilot Commercial Add-on, Rotorcraft-Helicopter Private Pilot, and Commercial Pilot Aviation Instrument Rating certifications. The new scholarship helps fill a gap in funding from the GI Bill.
The donation comes from the American Aero FTW “Red, White and Blue” program, which enables customers and vendors to contribute. The FBO matches those donations dollar for dollar and provides additional funding to the Navy SEAL Foundation.
“At American Aero FTW, we want our customers to experience our service and professionalism at every touch point, and this scholarship is another way to do just that,” said Robert M. Bass, founder of American Aero FTW. “We are honored to support those who envision their careers in aviation and have served this country at the highest level.”’
Foundation CEO Robin King said interest in pilot education among Foundation clientele continues to climb in step with a hot aviation job market. “This scholarship in particular helps prepare former SEALs to move into new careers as civilian pilots,” King said. “American Aero FTW and its customers are making a significant contribution, and we are grateful.”
In 2018, American Aero FTW was ranked the #1 FBO in Dallas/Fort Worth and among the top 5 percent of FBOs in the world in the AIN FBO Survey. The FBO also supports an annual holiday toy drive for Toys for Tots, donating hundreds of bicycles and toys to children in need each year.
American Aero FTW Founder Robert M. Bass and Navy SEAL Foundation Director of Development Chris Irwin celebrate the FBO’s milestone donation to the Navy Seal Foundation. Since 2013, American Aero FTW and its customers have contributed $100,000. Funding is earmarked to support SEALs to interested in earning pilot certification. Also pictured (L-R), American Aero FTW Customer Service Representative Miranda Hodges and Assistant General Manager Angela Thurmond.
ABOUT THE NAVY SEAL FOUNDATION
The Navy SEAL Foundation supports all active-duty Naval Special Warfare (NSW) personnel, including U.S. Navy SEALs, and their families stationed all over the world. It provides critical programs for NSW Gold Star families and NSW veterans. In 2017, over 14.5 million dollars was invested in program support for these warriors and their families.
Like the community it serves, the Navy SEAL Foundation is a high performing organization committed to excellence. NSF has received seven consecutive 4-Star ratings from Charity Navigator. It is one of only 60 charities from among more than 9,000 to have earned a perfect score of 100 for our financial health, accountability and transparency, placing NSF in the top 1% of the rated charities. Ninety-four cents of every dollar donated goes directly to programs or is retained for future mission use.
The Navy SEAL Foundation is a 501c3 national non-profit charitable organization. TAX-ID 31-1728910. NSF is a non-federal entity and is not a part of the Department of Defense or any of its components, and it has no governmental status.
Visit the Navy SEAL Foundation Online.
About American Aero FTW
Founded in 2012, American Aero FTW is a fixed-base operator (FBO) located at Meacham International Airport (KFTW) in Fort Worth, Texas. The business is focused on refueling, ground handling, servicing, and storing of business and private aviation aircraft and provides extensive crew and passenger amenities. American Aero consistently ranks as one of the best FBOs in the world in the Aviation International News FBO Reader Survey. It is also one of only a handful of FBOs in the world to earn the industry’s highest safety certification—and has the longest history of IS-BAH (International Standard of Business Aircraft Handling) accreditation from the International Business Aviation Council. American Aero is an AvFuel branded and Signature Select™ affiliated FBO. It is the primary tenant and only FBO in the airport’s administration building and offers 300,000 square feet of leasable hangar and office space. More information can be found at www.AmericanAero.com.