South Carolina Aviation Newsletters
PRESS RELEASE: SCAC – 8/20/2020
SC Aviation Association Names Aviation Maintenance Technician of the Year
SOUTH CAROLINA AERONAUTICS COMMISSION DIRECTOR OF MAINTENANCE HONORED West Columbia, S.C. – John “Chuck” Hyer, director of maintenance at South Carolina Aeronautics
Commission, was named the 2020 South Carolina Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) of the Year in a
surprise ceremony on August 20.
The South Carolina AMT of the Year award is part of the South Carolina Aviation Week initiative. AMTs are
integral to the aviation industry, keeping aircraft operational by performing repairs, inspections and
scheduled maintenance.
“Chuck embodies the characteristics of the ideal aviation maintenance technician. He is thorough in his
work and is committed to providing flawless aircraft maintenance, all while adhering to a higher standard in
aviation safety,” said South Carolina Aeronautics Commission Executive Director James Stephens.
Hyer was one of five nominees for the award. Combined, the field possessed more than 150 years of
service in aviation maintenance, more than 100 years maintenance experience in South Carolina, and
numerous FAA and manufacturer-specific certifications.
“Chuck was selected from among an elite group of candidates,” Stephens said. “His dedication to his
responsibilities, his consistent quality of work, and his philosophy of sharing his knowledge and experience
with others are what make him stand out.”
South Carolina Aviation Week is a statewide celebration of the economic and educational impact of airports
and the aviation industry. Celebrated August 15-22, 2020, and centered around National Aviation Day on
August 19, Aviation Week is planned in partnership by South Carolina Aviation Association and South
Carolina Aeronautics Commission.
South Carolina Aviation Association actively promotes and encourages aviation and airport development to
meet air transportation needs and assist the state in achieving economic development goals. Its
membership is comprised of airports and aviators across South Carolina, as well as aviation industry
partners. For more information, please visit scaaonline.com. PRESS RELEASE: SCAC – 10/25/2010 SOUTH CAROLINA AERONAUTICS COMMISSION The South Carolina Aeronautics Commission has an outstanding history of safety and service. The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) at its conference in Atlanta last week recognized the Commission’s outstanding achievement by presenting it the prestigious 75 Year Safe Flying Award.
NBAA 75 YEAR AWARD
75 YEAR SAFE FLYING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The Commission is tasked with providing safe, reliable air transportation for state government and business prospects as well as the safety and development of the state’s public use airports. Based at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport, the Commission flies both a King Air C90 and King Air 350 equipped with the latest avionics to provide on-demand air transportation for a range of passengers that include the Governor, members of the state general assembly, constitutional officers, state agencies, and state colleges and universities. It also provides maintenance, hangar space and fueling service to state-owned aircraft. State government officials have found use of the Commission’s King Airs to be more efficient than travel by automobile or commercial airlines, allowing them to reach locations in the Palmetto State or across the nation in one or two hours of travel, instead of in one or two days.
Not by chance has the Commission built its superb safety record. Its pilots undergo rigorous annual, recurrent training, and mechanics are Beechcraft/Raytheon-trained and complete periodic update training. The King Airs are maintained to the highest FAA Standards. This is thanks to employees and established policies and procedures that are reviewed annually and have been able to provide a steady hand and consistently high levels of safety and professionalism over the years. The Commission has two fulltime pilots and one part-time pilot.
(803) 896-6262
