January 29, 2025 / Blog Post
A photo of a Sheltair LST on the tarmac ushering in an aircraft.
At Sheltair Aviation, safety isn’t just a policy—it’s who we are. It’s baked into everything we do, whether we’re fueling aircraft, handling hangar operations, or preparing for the unexpected. At the core of our company is our “family first” mission, and that means prioritizing the well-being of everyone who walks through our doors—our employees, tenants, customers, and their aircraft. Whether we’re navigating a Florida hurricane, managing the harsh winter months in Colorado, or handling day-to-day operations, we treat safety as a responsibility we owe to our extended Sheltair family.
With more than 16 bases across the U.S., including locations in Florida, Colorado, Georgia, and Texas, our teams face unique challenges every day—and we always step up to meet them. From the cold and snow of the Rockies to the stormy seasons in the Southeast, we’re committed to keeping everyone safe and operations running smoothly.
So, let’s give you a peek behind the scenes—how we keep things moving, come rain, snow, or hurricanes.
Safety at Sheltair: It’s a Team Effort
A photo of Sheltair employees on the tarmac or in a hangar performing regular safety checks or maintenance.
Safety at Sheltair doesn’t just come from a “safety” manual—it also comes from our people. We go beyond just checking the boxes; we aim to set the bar higher. Every day, our team members across the country work together to keep operations safe and efficient.
Here’s what safety looks like for us, day-to-day:
- Ongoing Training: Whether it’s line service techs or office staff, everyone gets hands-on safety training to stay sharp. Drills? We do those, too.
- Clear Communication: If someone sees a potential issue—no matter how small—we want to hear about it. That’s how we solve problems before they happen.
- Staying Proactive: Our teams are always inspecting, assessing, and maintaining. Prevention is key to keeping our customers and aircraft safe.
- Prepared for Anything: Real-life emergencies happen, so we plan, drill, and stay ready for the unexpected.
At Sheltair, safety isn’t someone else’s job—it’s everyone’s responsibility. That mindset has kept us strong through some serious challenges.
Winter in Colorado: Cold, Snow, and Keeping Things Moving
US Military Aircraft departing from the snow covered Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (BJC)
A shot of aircraft being de-iced or snow being cleared at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (BJC)
If you know anything about Colorado winters, you know they’re no joke. Freezing temps, heavy snowstorms, and ice are part of life at our Colorado base (BJC)—and that brings some unique challenges for business and private aviation.
Keeping parking lots and hangar areas clear is essential. When snowstorms are in the forecast, BJC takes proactive steps to stay ahead of the weather. We ensure we have plenty of glycol fluids, salt, and fully operational equipment on hand, ready to keep everything running smoothly, no matter the conditions.
Then there’s de-icing. If you’ve ever seen an aircraft getting de-iced, you know it’s an art form. Ice buildup on a plane can cause some serious safety issues, so our team moves with meticulous purpose to get planes cleared and ready to fly. The freezing temps also mean we’re constantly keeping an eye on our ground support equipment (GSE) to make sure it’s running smoothly, even in sub-zero conditions.
And let’s not forget visibility—when the snow is coming down hard, it takes incredible focus and teamwork to keep ground operations safe and efficient. It’s a challenge, but one our BJC crew tackles like pros.
When Hurricanes Hit Florida, Our Network Steps Up
The aftermath of Hurricane Helene at Sheltair’s SPG base in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Now, let’s shift to the other end of the weather spectrum: Florida hurricanes. With 13 bases in Florida alone, we know how unpredictable hurricane season can be. The storms are powerful, the stakes are high, and preparation is everything.
Here’s how we handle it:
- Early Planning: Before the season even begins, we’re fine-tuning our emergency plans, restocking supplies, and checking for any weak spots.
- Surge Management: When hurricanes threaten Florida, pilots often move their aircraft to safer locations. This means an influx of traffic for us, and we manage it seamlessly to make sure everything runs safely.
- On-the-Ground Resilience: We secure fuel, equipment, and hangars, prepare for possible evacuations, and make sure our team knows exactly what to do if the storm hits.
But what really makes Sheltair stand out is how our network of bases comes together. When our Florida teams need backup, our crews in Colorado (BJC), Texas (DTO), and Georgia (SAV) jump in without hesitation.
- Calls coming in nonstop? Teams at our other locations pick up the phones to help manage the flow.
- Need volunteers? Our people step up, whether it’s lending an extra set of hands or being on standby just in case.
- After the storm, everyone pitches in to assess, clean up, and get operations back on track.
At Sheltair, we’re not just coworkers—we’re a team, and when one base faces a challenge, the rest of us rally to support.
A Real-Life Test: Ft. Lauderdale’s Record-Breaking Rainfall
A photo of our tenant’s aircraft on flooded tarmac during the Ft. Lauderdale flooding event.
Let’s take you back to April 12, 2023. If you were in Fort Lauderdale (FLL) that day, you know it was like something out of a movie: 25.6 inches of rain in just 12 hours. The airport was shut down for almost two days, and floodwaters surrounded our tarmac, trapping aircraft and vehicles alike.
As the rain poured down, our line service technicians (LSTs) quickly adapted to the challenging conditions, creatively working to position as many aircraft as possible into hangars to shield them from the rising waters. This required thinking outside the box and prioritizing safety in ways that went above and beyond our usual protocols, all to protect our customers’ planes.
Meanwhile, team members at FLL stayed at the base overnight, many sleeping on the floor alongside tenants and aircraft owners. Even in these trying conditions, they extended their support to those in need, including tenants from other FBOs who sought refuge. In addition to protecting aircraft, our team took quick action to move tenant cars to higher ground, aiming to keep as much property safe as possible.
As waters continued to rise, several team members faced personal challenges, getting stuck in floodwaters themselves while attempting to move vehicles or assist others. Through it all, their selflessness and quick thinking minimized damage, showed Sheltair’s dedication to service, and left a lasting impression on our community.
Our team’s courage and commitment to our customers in this real-world test is a reminder of what Sheltair stands for—not just an aviation company, but a community ready to step up when it matters most.
Why Safety Is More Than Just a Word at Sheltair
A group shot of Sheltair employees working together, showcasing teamwork and collaboration across bases.
Here’s the thing: safety isn’t just about protocols and policies. It’s about people. It’s about having each other’s backs and doing everything we can to protect our customers, their aircraft, and our team members.
From the icy winters in Colorado to the hurricane seasons in Florida and every unexpected event in between, our team rises to every challenge with grit, teamwork, and heart.
We’re proud of the trust our customers place in us, and we’re even prouder of the people who make Sheltair what it is—a family that steps up, works hard, and keeps safety front and center.
At Sheltair, Safety Always Comes First
No matter the weather, no matter the challenge, we’re here to keep operations smooth, efficient, and safe. That’s our promise to you.
Want to learn more about how Sheltair supports private and business aviation? Visit us at Sheltair Aviation.
About Sheltair
Sheltair is a family-owned company that enjoys a national reputation for its superior customer focus and service-driven corporate culture. Founded in 1963 by Jerry Holland, father of current Sheltair President Lisa Holland, it is the nation's largest privately-owned aviation network, proudly operating 16 award-winning FBOs and a portfolio of over 4.7 million square feet of aviation-related properties under the mission of Family First. Fuel. Build. Serve.