Restaurant Review: By John Tanasychuk, SouthFlorida.com

Inside a hangar on the edge of the tarmac at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport sits one of the best lunch spots in Fort Lauderdale.

Two weeks ago, I wouldn’t have believed I’d ever write that sentence. But then, I found myself at Jet Runway Cafe.

You wend your way to the restaurant off Commercial Boulevard and arrive at what is truly one of the most-nondescript restaurant locations in the region. Off the parking lot, a nicely landscaped, covered walkway leads diners into one of those hangars. At 1 p.m. on a Thursday, the place was packed. I mean hopping.
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Aside from a couple of well-placed decorative turbines, you’d never know that aviation was the theme. The 89-seat restaurant is set with metal and wooden furniture. A long banquette separates the dining room from a long window into the kitchen. A pile of oversize white plates sits on the pass-through. This place is cool.

On the other side of the narrow room, a row of windows looking onto the tarmac provides the restaurant its name. That view is why the weekday office workers get replaced by parents and grandparents with kids when Saturday rolls around. What kid doesn’t love airplanes?

But don’t just come here for the kids. Come because chef Sean Anderson turns out some of the most-artfully presented food I’ve seen in ages. It’s served by a team, led by general manager Felicia Singh, who seems to never miss a beat, even when every seat in the house is full.

The breakfast menu includes the Full Tank ($10): pancakes or French toast, two eggs, potatoes or grits, bacon or sausage. It’s served on two of those big, white plates, and every element is better than the next. The Egg Scrambler ($8) is a huge skillet of scrambled eggs, diced ham, peppers, onions and cheddar cheese. The breakfast burrito ($8) wraps scrambled eggs, black beans, salsa, cheddar and jack cheese inside a toasted tortilla.

All breakfasts come with something called “famous fried bread pudding.” It tastes like a cross between bread pudding and kugel. Brioche-almond French toast ($9) is also on the menu, along with pancakes ($8), eggs Benedict ($9), a breakfast club sandwich ($8) and a croissant sandwich ($8).

Breakfast is better here than at many pricey hotels and resorts. Lunch may be even better.

The menu is huge, but I’d recommend starting with Thai chicken flatbread ($10.50): thin-crusted bread topped with peanut sauce, carrots, mozzarella and cilantro. It really does taste like a burst of Thai flavors.

Soup ($5-$6) changes daily and features everything from Monday’s roasted corn chowder to Wednesday’s Sante Fe black bean. There are eight salads ($11-$14), to which a skewer of wonderful grilled shrimp ($3.50) can be added. Crab-cake salad ($14) combines green, Roma tomatoes, carrots, julienne peppers, cucumbers and citrus-honey vinaigrette. There’s also a Crispy Asian chicken salad ($11.50) featuring fried chicken with sesame-ginger dressing.

We couldn’t resist a side of mac-n-cheese ($3.50), which had a little kick from red pepper. Some of that red pepper is tossed with the toasted panko topping.

There are a dozen sandwiches ($10.50-$14), seven different burgers ($10.50), three Mexican-inspired dishes ($10.50-$13.50) plus five Jet Features ($10-$11). A favorite from that last category is a sandwich known as the Picnic Basket ($11) in which slices of country white bread hold barbecue-pulled pork, pepper jack cheese, macaroni and cheese, and crispy onion strings.

I went for classic steak chimichurri ($14.50), skirt steak with grilled onions, flavorful yellow rice, black beans and roasted vegetables. It was a generous lunch portion.

Among the desserts is incredible chocolate fudge cake ($6), which Jet Runway brings in from Two Fat Cookies bakery in Boca. I’m going to find this bakery.

The 5-year-old Jet Runway Cafe is owned by Mitch Amsterdam and Mike Linder. It grew out of their Silver Lining Inflight Catering, which has been servicing the private-aviation industry since 2001. They service flights out of every South Florida airport, from Stuart south to Kendall Tamiami Executive Airport.

Jet Runway is so good, I wondered why they don’t open for dinner? Throw on some tablecloths, and I’m sure chef Anderson would create an exceptional dinner menu.

The place is open at night, but only for private functions. They can open up the restaurant to the tarmac and take over the next-door hangar. They’ve hosted weddings and bar mitzvahs, bridals showers and office parties. The catering menu looks as good as lunch.

jtanasychuk@SouthFlorida.com or 954-356-4632. Read his blog at SouthFlorida.com/sup and follow him on Twitter at @FloridaEats

5540 NW 21st Terrace, Fort Lauderdale

954-958-9900, JetRunwayCafe.com

To view the original restaurant review by John Tanasychuk, click here.

Why are There so Few Factory Authorized Service Centers?
(This viewpoint article appeared in the November 2012 issue of Professional Pilot Magazine – page 24)

Don Campion President & Head Coach, Banyan Air Service

Lexus owners don’t need to drive 200 miles to find a factory authorized service center. Instead, the lucky owner can choose from 2 or 3 nearby locations which are staffed by trained experts and not owned by the manufacturer. So why must aircraft owners fly 500 miles or more to find a factory authorized service center when there are quality maintenance facilities much closer?

Over the years, Banyan Air Service has outgrown most other business aircraft maintenance and avionics service centers in the southeast US. This success has come despite our limitations as an official factory authorized service center for only a few aircraft. However, Banyan has FAA approval as a repair station for many aircraft.

So where has all this growth come from?

• Being easy to do business with
• Having a commitment to delivery times
• Being well trained and accountable at every level
• Providing value by being the customer’s entire solution

Our customers have told us time and time again that we are better, faster and cheaper than our competition.

In the past 12 months Banyan has worked on 210 different business jet aircraft and 30 different turboprop aircraft for which we are not an approved factory service center. Let me make it clear that the factory does give technical support—but we are not “part of the family” as our customers and we would like.

As a service provider, the 2 most important questions to ask your customer are “What is the likelihood that you will recommend us to a friend or colleague?” and “If we changed one thing that would improve your experience, what would it be?”

A common answer to the 2nd question is, “Obtain factory authorization for parts and service from the aircraft manufacturer.” With factory approval, the maintenance facility can process warranty claims, pay less for parts and avoid repositioning the aircraft, making ownership less costly and more efficient, and improving the ownership experience.

It is far less costly for the manufacturer to support, audit and communicate with independent service centers than to build, operate and compete. You’ve heard the saying, “Happy employees make happy customers.” It goes without question that more factory authorized MROs make happy aircraft owners.

Manufacturers are hesitant to grant service center status to qualified maintenance facilities if they are near one of their own, but aircraft owners are asking why.

First, a manufacturer’s MRO only maintains the aircraft they manufacture, and yet often the aircraft operator flies several different makes. An independent MRO can provide maintenance solutions to a variety of aircraft makes. Second, factory MROs do not need to be granted authorization to sell new aircraft. Third, many independent MROs have technicians who have worked at factory MROs. Fourth, if an independent MRO does not maintain the factory standards, then the privilege of approval must be removed quickly.

I believe my points are reinforced by the case of Pilatus, which has enjoyed excellent customer satisfaction and steady growth despite the fact that there are no service centers operated by the manufacturer.

Relationships drive the business aviation world, and large maintenance facilities develop wonderful relationships with owners and operators. It is common for customer relationships in independent facilities to become stronger than those with the factory facilities, because the independent MRO is often a division of the FBO where the aircraft are based or where they visit frequently for services other than maintenance.

In conclusion, those aircraft manufacturers that invest in perfecting ways to build and sell the best aircraft, while focused on supporting more first-class independent maintenance facilities (to support their aircraft for years after the sale), will have lower costs as a result. At the same time, this will enhance the customer’s ownership experience, strengthen independent MROs and sell more aircraft.

Don Campion and Segun Demuren at NBAA

Evergreen Apple Nigeria (EAN) Ltd which opened the first fully fledged FBO and MRO for business jets in Nigeria earlier this year, announced today at NBAA an innovative partnership to work closely with Banyan Air Service, Florida’s leading and award winning FBO operator. The new partnership will see Banyan transferring its extensive experience and skills to EAN by sharing knowledge, resources and contacts with the aim of supporting and developing EAN’s customer focused service strategy, which lies at the core of both companies’ business models.

“Banyan Air Service, now in its thirty third year, is a widely respected and popular FBO in the USA, which has mastered customer service in all aspects of their operation. Our focus is on premium customer service and safety and the Banyan business model is a fine example of how we would like our business to develop,” said Segun Demuren CEO of EAN. “We are a fledgling business and the first in the market to respond to the needs of a growing business aviation fraternity in our country. We are delighted to start sharing best practice, knowledge and resources with Banyan as we evolve and fine tune our operation.” Through close collaboration Demuren anticipates that EAN will improve its systems and processes which in turn will fine tune its service offering. Sharing this knowledge will support EAN’s ambition to run a successful and efficient FBO model that can then be extended across the African continent.

Strategic plans are already under way to implement the partnership. Banyan’s CEO, Don Campion, and James Torrey, lead project manager, visited EAN in early October where they undertook a complete audit of EAN’s systems. This resulted in a detailed schedule for changes and improvements with advice on implementation now being shared. Key members of the EAN team, including the Head of Operations and Facilities will visit Banyan early in January for training in ground ops and facilities management.

“We congratulate Segun and his team for establishing such a professional and attractive FBO at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos with a full suite of facilities and EASA approved MRO. We look forward to working with the dedicated EAN team to support their long term goals and objectives to create a network of high quality, customer driven FBOs in Africa,” commented Campion.

As part of the collaboration Banyan Air Services will host EAN during NBAA and will participate in a number of joint meetings with international suppliers of fuel, FBO software systems, air charter and ground services. A formal Memorandum of Understanding is expected to be signed within the next month.

The Biesuz family (Val, Pedro and Eloy) show off their new artwork, "Spirit of St. Louis" and "Spruce Goose" from the Martin-Young Aviation Collection.

Banyan Air Service and Steven F. Greenwald Design, Inc. have teamed up to provide an aviation art display in Banyan’s lobby.

“We are always looking for unique and interesting displays for our spacious lobby,” says Nancy Bouvier, Banyan’s director of marketing.  “We like to keep it interesting for our customers and have had a variety of displays including boats, golf carts, cars, paddle boards, and now aviation art.”

The display includes The Martin-Young Aviation Collection created by artists Frank Martin and Judeen Young.  They have fused their award-winning artistic techniques to create an aviation art collection ranging from the evolution of flight and classic military aircraft to today’s latest commercial and general aviation aircraft.  Their unique skills combine to form a hybrid collaboration of abstract paintings and collage techniques.

Mr. and Mrs. Eloy Biesuz and their son, Pedro, stopped to look at the artwork in the lobby and purchased two pieces to take home to Brazil on their Lear 45.  “We liked the subject matter and the aircraft featured in the artwork and thought they would make a great addition to our office.  We get nice comments about the uniqueness and the bright colors,” said Mr. Biesuz.

The Steven F. Greenwald Design aviation art display will remain in Banyan’s lobby until the end of November.  Pieces can be purchased right from the lobby display, on-line at BanyanPilotShop.com/art or in Banyan’s Pilot Shop.  The Pilot Shop is located at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport next to Banyan’s FBO terminal and is open 7 days a week.  The store carries a wide selection of The Martin-Young Aviation Art Collection and offers assistance on customized orders; including specific aircraft, different sizes and framing options.  World-wide shipping is also available.  For more information, contact: dgreene@banyanair.com.

Steven Greenwald Design, Inc. has been providing art, consulting, and framing services since 1983.  Their 6500 square foot Ft. Lauderdale gallery and custom framing studio houses a complete art gallery and a state of the art production facility.  The Martin-Young Aviation Collection is quickly becoming well known as the most contemporary and comprehensive aviation art collection in today’s market.  Martin-Young and SFGD have completed special projects for many aviation and aerospace corporations.  For more information, visit www.theartofaircraft.com

Rendering of the new FAA Air Traffic Control Tower for FXE

Replacing the existing Air Traffic Control Tower is long overdue. The current tower was built nearly 40 years ago, has never been updated, is not hurricane resistant and has outlived its original design life by nearly 20 years. In addition, the height of the tower does not provide optimal views of the airfield and the base building lacks sufficient room to support the operations of the facility.

Construction of the new $9 million tower will be fully funded by the FAA with no airport or City dollars being used for the project. The new tower will further enhance Executive Airport’s safety, security and air traffic control operations.

The FAA’s new Air Traffic Control Tower will be built on a larger parcel located slightly west and south of the existing tower. The facility will be expanded to accommodate the operational and administrative needs of the agency. Hurricane resistant materials will be used to provide maximum protection in the event of a weather related emergency, and the facility’s design will meet current federal requirements for access and security. The new tower will stand approximately 50 feet higher than the existing tower. The added height will provide air traffic controllers with a better vantage point and unobstructed views of the airfield.

After a five year hiatus, the Lauderdale Air Show returns to Fort Lauderdale on April 28 – 29, 2012.  For pilots flying to South Florida for the show, Banyan Air Service at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport is offering a fuel discount, no ramp fees, as well as hotel and car reservation assistance.

The Lauderdale Air Show will feature the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, U.S. Navy F-18 Hornet Demo Team, Navy Seals elite parachute demonstration team, and other military aircraft demonstrations and flyovers from every branch of the military.

The Lauderdale Air Show will also feature some of the premier civilian performers in the nation including the Black Diamond Jet Team, GEICO Skytypers, Freestyle Aerobatic World Champion Rob Holland and more.

Visitors will have the opportunity to visit vendor booths and as an official sponsor, Banyan Pilot Shop will have a booth filled with merchandise available for sale.

The main event takes place on Saturday and Sunday, but there are earlier festivities open to the public.  A Performer Welcome Party will be at Shooters Waterfront Café hosted by Paul and Young Ron from BIG 105.9 at 7:00 pm on Thursday, April 26.  On Friday, the Air Show Take Off Party will be at Sea Level Restaurant beachside at the Marriott Harbor Beach at 7:00 pm during which the Navy Seals will perform a parachute team jump.

The Lauderdale Air Show takes place at Fort Lauderdale Beach with show center at Sunrise Blvd. and A1A.  The show offers free general viewing, however, premium viewing  is available with paid tickets.  Show schedule, performers, ticket and parking information is all available on the Lauderdale Air Show website http://lauderdaleairshow.com/

Banyan Air Service is a premiere 24-hour FBO at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport that caters to individual aircraft owners, corporate flight departments, aircraft charter operators and military and governmental institutions.  Banyan provides fuel and ground services; including aircraft washing and cabin cleaning.  Banyan’s customer support team assists with gourmet catering, hotel reservations, on-site Hertz rental cars and Bahamas and Caribbean travel assistance.  In addition, Banyan offers hangar space to accommodate aircraft up to a Gulfstream 550.   United States Customs is available daily from 9:00 am – 9:00 pm.

For information on Banyan Air Service, visit www.banyanair.com/airshow.

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Recently, our fuel provider, and one of our closest partners, the Avfuel Corporation, invited a delegation from China to tour the Banyan complex.  The delegation was made up of aviation business leaders and aviation government officials from Chengdu, China, one of China’s largest cities. The purpose of the visit was to introduce the delegation to one of the premier U.S. FBOs that partners with Avfuel under their brand. AvFuel’s C.R. Sincock gave a presentation about their business model, followed by an FBO question and answer session and a tour of the Banyan complex led by Don Campion.  The delegation was extremely impressed with the AvFuel presentation and the Banyan complex. While oceans may separate us, the passion for aviation exists all over the world!

On behalf of the Banyan team, Andrea Bahr and John Mason accept the Pilots' Choice Award.

“We are absolutely thrilled and honored to receive this ranking in the Pilots’ Choice Survey. Our team is more than ever committed and motivated to surpass the expectations of our customers. We continue to strive and raise the bar on the level of customer service within our industry,” says Andrea Bahr, Banyan’s customer support manager.

Banyan is a 24-hour fixed base operation (FBO) that caters to individual aircraft owners, corporate flight departments, aircraft charter operators and military and governmental institutions. Banyan provides aviation fuel, ground services, aircraft detailing and hangar space to accommodate aircraft up to a Gulfstream 550. Banyan’s customer support team assists with gourmet catering, hotel reservations, on-site Hertz rental cars and Bahamas and Caribbean travel assistance. United States Customs is available daily from 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

In addition to FBO services, Banyan provides aircraft sales and management, heavy maintenance and interior modifications, turbine engine services, structural repairs, and avionics services. Banyan also offers, Hangar63 (Banyan’s Aviation Store) for in-store shopping, TropicAero.com for on-line purchases and Jet Runway Café for breakfast and lunch. The company has been in business since 1979 and employs over 160 aviation professionals companywide. For more information, visit Banyanair.com on-line or at facebook.com/BanyanAir.

The 2011 Fltplan.com Pilots’ Choice Survey had over 45% more pilots participating than in the previous year. With over 7,480 votes cast, pilots picked their favorites in the following categories: Top U.S. FBOs, Top U.S. FBOs by region, Top FBO Chains, Top Canadian FBOs, Top ATC Centers and more. New this year was the Star FBO and ACE FBO. The Star FBO category was created by using airport arrival data to generate a ranking that takes into account the traffic at an airport and the amount of competition on the field. The ACE FBO award recognizes the 3 FBOs who received the most votes at airports with less than 5,200 arrivals per year.

Fltplan.com is a professional full service flight planning website assisting pilots with flight plan filing, FAA Certified weather, flight tracking and CBP Certified eAPIS. For more information, visit fltplan.com.

Saturday June 12, Hangar63 (Banyan’s Aviation Store) donated half of the days gross profits to Angel Flight. Angel Flight is a non-profit volunteer pilot organization involved in “public benefit flying.” They arrange free air transportation by private aircraft to distant medical facilities when commercial services are not available, impractical or simply not affordable. To encourage pilots and passengers to participate in this fund raising event, Banyan agreed to provide $1.00 off per gallon of gas and Jet Runway Café provided $5.00 off any Hangar63 customer’s bill for that day. Banyan’s Line Service team provided every landing aircraft with information about the event and encouraged customers to stop by and help out the cause.

Members of Angel Flight held a meeting in the Sabal Palm conference room and before wrapping up for the day presented Banyan with a Humanitarian Award for the helping the organization. Chuck Speakman, Hangar63’s manager, was proud to accept the award and thanking Angel Flight for all they do.

Hangar63 (Banyan’s Aviation Store) was pleased with the outcome and looks forward to making this an annual event.

“We hope this type of partnership will be considered by other aviation groups who support our mission.  Partnerships with for-profit groups are a great way to team and be successful in the current economy”, says Blake Mathis, President/CEO of Angel Flight Southeast.

To find out how you can help Angel Flight, visit their website.

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